ANOTHER best on ground performance from ruckman Ben McEvoy steered Box Hill to an upset victory over Port Melbourne to reach the Preliminary Final weekend in the VFL.
The Hawks were too good for the Borough in the end, overcoming a four goal deficit mid-way through the third term to run away with a 24-point win at North Port Oval on Saturday.
McEvoy was outstanding for the winners with a dominating performance in the ruck.
The Hawthorn ruckman had 45 hit outs and booted four goals from 13 disposals, while also taking eight towering marks in a performance that drew praise from former Box Hill premiership coach Damian Caroll.
“There’s not much more he can do at VFL level over the last two weeks – the opportunity just has to come through,” he told hawthornfc.com.au
“He had a big impact on the scoreboard and took some strong marks not just in the forward line but around the ground.
“Even his contested work at ground level for a big guy was something that impressed us along with his leadership.”
McEvoy, together with midfielders Mitch Hallahan and Alex Woodward and defender Kyle Cheney were outstanding for the Hawks, particularly when the game appeared to be slipper away.
Cheney, who has been outstanding in defence all year was again rock solid alongside youngsters Kaiden Brand and Jordan Kelly but it was the work of the midfield duo that changed the complexion of the game.
Hallahan finished the game with 19 disposals but had an astonishing 13 clearances and 10 tackles to be one of his side’s best.
“His last four games have been quite powerful for us,” Caroll said of the young Hawk.
“He was really good in the midfield, he played really strong footy.
“Even though his stats weren’t massive in terms of disposals but he used it really well and laid a lot of tackles. He also had 13 clearances, so his contested footy stuff was really positive.”
Woodward, who has had a brilliant year in just his first full season of footy after enduring two knee reconstructions was pivotal in the win.
A hard nut in the midfield, Woodward finished with a team-high 26 disposals and five tackles.
“Alex has been focusing on a couple of areas of his game, particularly his defensive pressure around the ball and keeping his feet and he did that well on the weekend,” Caroll said.
“It was probably one of his better games.”
After booting 13 goals in the final two mactches of the home and away season, Hawthorn ruckman/forward Sam Grimley continued his good form with another four goals in the win.
Grimley, who has played three senior games for the Hawks has provided a key target inside 50 for Box Hill and has become critical in the make-up of their side.
“He’s up and about at the moment with his foot,” Caroll said.
“He’s marking the ball cleanly and finishing off strongly, we’ve been really impressed with him over the last couple of weeks.”
Box Hill now has the week off and will play in a Preliminary Final against the winner of Sunday’s Williamstown-Werribee game.
FINAL SCORE
PORT MELBOURNE 4.0 8.2 10.4 12.6 (78)
BOX HILL HAWKS 2.1 6.2 12.5 16.6 (102)
GOALS
PORT MELBOURNE: Connors, Bonaddio 2, O'Sullivan, Michaliades, Pinwill, Sandilands, Valenti, Rowe, Marigliani, Robinson.
BOX HILL HAWKS: B. McEvoy, Grimley 4, P. McEvoy 2, Sicily, Lowden, Andrews, Kelly, Lock, Iles.
BEST
PORT MELBOURNE: Magner, Davies, Pleming, Marigliani.
BOX HILL HAWKS: B. McEvoy, Hallahan, Cheney, Woodward, Iles, Kelly.
