BOX HILL Hawks have made it 2-0 to start 2016, defeating reigning VFL premier Williamstown by 15 points on Sunday.
In a see-sawing contest, the Hawks were on top when it counted in the grand final rematch, producing a big final term to win 17.10 (112) to the Seagulls’ 14.13 (97).
First-year Hawk Kieran Lovell starred, booting a game-high five goals.
He said it was a strong team performance which helped the young Hawks overcome the experienced Seagulls.
“We’ve played two pretty tough opponents, so to be 2-0 is a really good start,” Lovell told hawthornfc.com.au
“There were a lot of momentum shifts. It was our experienced players helping the younger guys through, and we had an even contribution from everyone.
“When the going got tough, we just pushed through and found a way to get back on top.”
The Hawks started the better of the sides, kicking away to an 11-point lead at quarter time, before the Seagulls turned the tables to lead at half time and three quarter time.
“It was a pretty tough game, they were pretty physical and good on the inside, so it was a bit difficult around the stoppages,” Lovell said.
“It was pretty free-flowing, the ball moved really quickly, it was really high scoring and an enjoyable game to play in.”
Also among the Hawks’ best were fellow Hawthorn-listed players Dallas Willsmore (28 disposals, one goal), Jonathan O’Rourke (24 disposals, one goal) and Brendan Whitecross (21 disposals, one goal).
For Lovell, it was his first bag of five for a few years, on the back of a trip to Tasmania as a travelling emergency with the senior team.
Kieran Lovell (R) celebrates a goal with Kade Stewart (L). Picture: Jenny Owens
“I think my senior debut for my SFL club when I was 15 (was the last time Lovell kicked five), so I haven’t kicked a bag for a while,” he said.
“It was a good experience to go down to Tassie (with the AFL side), to see what the boys go through leading up to a game, and I was pretty happy to play a decent game on Sunday.
“I might have to go down to Tassie every weekend,” he joked.
ROUND 2 - SCORES
BOX HILL 4.2 7.4 13.5 17.10 (112)
WILLIAMSTOWN 2.3 8.6 14.9 14.13 (97)
GOALS
Box Hill: Lovell 5, Lawlor 2, C. Jones, Fisher, Heatherley, Burton, Hardwick, Stewart, Miles, Whitecross, O’Rourke, Willsmore
Williamstown: Dunell 4, Conway 3, Cordy 2, Hetherington 2, Monk, Chisari, Wheeler
BEST
Box Hill: Willsmore, Lawlor, Lovell, Whitecross, O’Rourke, Warren
Williamstown: Gibbons, Dunell, Carr, Masters, Bewley, Conway
