Box Hill has returned to the winners' list in commanding fashion, after overcoming Coburg by 51-points on Saturday.
The Hawks piled on 11 second-half goals to Coburg’s two, courtesy of a half-time ‘rocket’ from Coach Max Bailey to once again retain the ANZAC Cup in the traditional fixture between the two rivals.
Ruckman Marc Pittonet produced a tremendous performance racking up 30 disposals and feasting on 42 hitouts to receive the ANZAC Medal.
Harry Morrison made a statement after being left out of Hawthorn’s AFL side by responding with 32 disposals and three goals.
The day began in scrappy fashion, as the weight of numbers around the ball prohibited the reigning premiers from using their trademark clean foot skills.
That said, the Hawks kicked into gear as the term closed with goals to Morrison, Dylan Moore, Jones before Kilpatrick produced a scintillating running goal on the siren to take Box Hill to a 24-point lead into quarter time.
Coburg came out a team possessed in the second term, making the Hawks pay for their turnovers with electric coast-to-coast play.
Clean ball movement into the forward line allowed Sam Lowson and Lochie Dickson to run amok in one-on-one contests and boot a combined five goals for the term.
Josh Guthrie dominated the midfield battle for the half with 21 disposals, and the Lions took a five-point lead into half-time.
However that was the greatest lead they held.
After receiving a Max Bailey ‘rocket’ at half-time the Hawks came out to boot five unanswered goals, 11 for the half, and never looked threatened for the remainder of the contest.
Playing out the match on their own terms, the Hawks locked the ball in their forward half to record a mammoth 65 inside 50s to Coburg’s 33 and allow their plethora of small forwards to run riot.
Dylan Moore notched three majors, while Will Golds and Harry Jones joined the party with two apiece.
Mat Walker and Darren Minchington kicked their first goals in the brown and gold with brilliant running efforts, and it was party time when Walker followed up with a miraculous bicycle kick on the goal line for his second.
Sam Lowson proved a force up forward for Coburg with four majors, however was sporadic in front of goal and squandered three routine chances to drag the Lions back into the contest.
Box Hill skipper Andrew Moore led all players on the ground for disposals with 33, while the returning David Mirra was resolute in defence with seven marks.
Blooding Walker, Michington, Danyon Reinbold and Tristan Tweedie for their club debuts against Coburg, Box Hill is a group that is continuing to grow together, as Assistant Coach Marco Bello identified post-match.
“You are always wanting to improve and we have done so gradually,” Bello said.
“Obviously we let the one slip against Port Melbourne last week, but to come back today and play our style and brand was pleasing.”
“We are still trying to get the synergy together with the new young group, but that will get better as the season goes along.”
Box Hill has completed the first stanza of its season with a 3-1 record.
The Hawks have a bye next week before facing Footscray on May 12.
MATCH DETAILS
BOX HILL HAWKS 4. 3 5.5 10.8 16.12 (108)
COBURG LIONS 0.3 6.4 6.6 8.9 (57)
GOALS
Box Hill Hawks: D Moore 3, Morrison 3, Golds 2, Jones 2, Walker 2, Hanrahan, Miles, Minchington, A Moore, Pittonet
Coburg Lions: Lowson 4, Stroobants 2, Dickson 2
LEADING DISPOSALS
Box Hill Hawks: A Moore 32, Morrison 32, Pittonet 30, Glass 26, Kilpatrick 23
Coburg Lions: Guthrie 27, Dickson 20, Lentini 19, Bunker 17, Lever 17
