BOX Hill Hawks Coach Marco Bello says his side should enter its VFL qualifying final against Footscray on Saturday as favourites.
The Hawks will host the Bulldogs at Box Hill City Oval from 2pm, for the right to head directly into a preliminary final.
After finishing on top of the ladder in the home-and-away season, Bello has confidence in his side, but knows it needs an improved performance from last week’s loss to Williamstown.
“We should certainly be the favourites going into this game, but we need to approach it like we have most other games this year, bar last week,” he said.
However Bello is expecting a tough challenge from the in-form Bulldogs, who are the reigning VFL premiers.
“We’ve only played them once, and that was in Round 1, so it’s been a long time between drinks,” he said.
“They’re probably the form team of the competition.
“They’ve won four of their past five games and have had some really close games – they’ve won two of those by a kick.”
The Hawks have named 17 Hawthorn-listed players in their extended 27-player squad.
Ruckman Jon Ceglar and midfielder Jed Anderson have been named to return from back and hamstring injuries respectively, while Billy Hartung will also play after missing senior selection.
Joint Frosty Miller Medallist Sam Grimley is of four tall options named inside the Hawks’ forward 50, with swingman Ryan Schoenmakers named in the defensive six.
In-form midfielders Jonathan Simpkin and Brendan Whitecross also feature in as strong Box Hill line-up.
However, the Bulldogs side also boasts a depth of talent, with AFL-listed talls Tom Boyd and Tom Campbell up forward, and Will Minson to in the ruck.
“We know their AFL side and we’re sure their VFL side will play similarly,” Bello said.
“They love to take the game on, they have a breadth of talent across all lines and some talls who can take marks up forward and kick goals.”
You can keep up to date with all the latest Box Hill news throughout this year's finals by registering your details here, and find ticket prices here.
Qualifying Final - Seniors
Box Hill Hawks v Footscray Bulldogs
Box Hill City Oval
Saturday 5 September, 2pm
B: Mirra, Schoenmakers, Spangher
HB: Heatherley, Litherland, Miles
C: Hartung, Whtiecross, Willsmore
HF: Webster, Pittonet, Anderson
F: Grimley, Tatupu, O’Brien
Foll: Ceglar, O'Rourke, Simpkin
I/C from: Lawlor, Williams, Lock, Fisher, Collins, Tobin Iles, Gordon, Evans
Qualifying Final - Development
Box Hill Hawks v Williamstown
Box Hill City Oval
Saturday 5 September, 11am
B: Exon, Collins, Crocker
HB: Walker, Gordon Fisher
C: Lock, Williams,Miller-Lewis
HF: Switkowski, Jones, Lawlor
F: Tobin, McEvoy, L. Langford
Foll: Monkhorst, Hardisty, Graham
I/C from: Dimasi, Murphy, Sandric, Summers, Kidd, Gibson, Vizzarri, Sheridan-Ferrie, Traynor, Soccio, Franetic, Burt, Bond
