BOX HILL Hawks coach Marco Bello says a pre-season of learning and development will have his side ready for a Round 1 clash with Sandringham this weekend.
The Hawks played their third and final practice match on Saturday, going down to Casey Scorpions by five goals, giving them a 1-2 record from their three pre-season hit-outs.
But despite the results, Bello said there were plenty of positive signs heading into Saturday’s season opener at Box Hill City Oval.
“We’ve been able to develop guys in different positions, play guys who haven’t had a taste of senior footy yet, and we’ve given guys that play at Hawthorn and Box Hill the chance to create some synergy and understanding the way our systems will work ahead of Round 1,” he said.
“We’re starting to get everyone fit and we’ve got a full squad to choose from pretty much, which was probably a concern for us about a month ago.
“We’ve only had the eight or nine AFL-listed guys in our practice games against Northern Blues, Sandringham and Casey, compared to last year where we averaged 15 or 16.
“Both the AFL and VFL lists are starting to look pretty healthy and we’re starting to get a full compliment of players that will play a lot of senior footy for us this year.”
A first-up win against Northern Blues was followed by a defeat to Sandringham, before Saturday’s result against the Scorpions.
But with the likes of Hawthorn-listed youngsters Marc Pittonet, Kade Stewart and Kieran Lovell in good nick, Bello has plenty to smile about ahead of a rematch against the Zebras in the season proper.
“Coming back from his Round 1 debut, Marc Pittonet showed that he’s got the hunger to get back up there,” Bello said.
“Marc Pittonet coming back from his Round 1 debut showed that he’s got the hunger to get back up there.
“From his ruckwork, to his second efforts to his tackling, he really started to be aggressive in his play-making, which was great.
“Also his leadership style came out, he took the group in at three-quarter-time and ensured he’s not only focusing on his own game, but the guys around him.
“He brought two young guys into the game in Kade Stewart – who finished with 22 disposals, seven tackles and four goals; a great individual effort by him – and also Kieran Lovell, who continued on his good form with 26 disposals, eight tackles, seven clearances and two goals.”
David Mirra will skipper the Hawks’ VFL affiliate in 2016, with Marc Lock and Sam Iles his deputies.
