A FOUR goal haul from Sam Grimley and a best-on-ground performance from ruckman Jonathon Ceglar led Box Hill to an emphatic 27-point victory over Geelong in the VFL on Saturday night.
In a replay of last year’s VFL Grand Final, the Hawks travelled to Simmonds Stadium following a draw with Sandringham last weekend without gun midfielder Mitch Hallahan who was promoted to the senior Hawthorn team.
A five goal to three opening term saw Box Hill get off to a good start before the Cats clawed their way back to lead by a point at the final change.
But an eight goal to three final term saw the Hawks storm to victory as Grimley, Ceglar, Brian Lake and youngster Billy Hartung led them to victory.
Back in the VFL as first choice Hawthorn ruckman Ben McEvoy returned from injury, Ceglar dominated the ruck duel with 50 hit outs, 21 disposals and a goal.
His work in the ruck helped his midfielders dominate the clearances 52-28 and centre clearances 22-9.
“Jonathon performed really well for us, I think he was our best player on the night, Football Academy Development Coordinator, Damian Caroll said.
“He had 50 hit outs and 21 possessions – some of his hit outs to advantage were the best I’ve seen him have at VFL level. It certainly shows the maturity of Jonathon over the last few years at VFL level.
“He was able to work back really hard in defence and get a lot of possessions and link-up really well. His running ability is quite good for a big guy, so he’s another who played to his strengths well on the weekend.”
In his first game for the year, Grimley starred up forward for the Hawks, booting four goals from 16 disposals and three marks.
“His energy around the ball was really good and he finished really well in front of goal, he took most of his opportunities and provided a good contest up forward,” Caroll said.
“For us, there are still some areas we want to work on in his game but he is continuing to develop and work hard on those.
“Hopefully he can back up and continue that good form at VFL level and give himself a chance of putting his name up there for selection in the next couple of weeks.”
Hartung gathered 25 disposals in the victory, with his run and carry through the midfield of particular importance.
“That was his best game at senior VFL level,” Caroll said.
“He used the ball really well, linked up well and he was able to spread well to help us get a lot of ball on the outside, which helped us with our forward momentum with the footy.
“He’s coming along really well and we’re really happy he could put together that performance.”
Lake, who spent another week in the VFL to gain further match practice before returning for Hawthorn was integral in the dying stages, with his defensive work a cut above.
He finished the game with 17 disposals and seven marks.
“He got some more minutes into his game, we increased that a little bit this week,’ Caroll said.
“He was able to play four quarters of football, started in defence and played there for the majority of the day where he was really good early.
“He went forward at times in the second half then back in defence to help save the game at the end, so there were some positive steps for him.”
Young Hawk James Sicily also impressed with two goals, which could have been more if it weren’t for inaccuracy in front of goal, while rookie Ben Ross had 19 disposals and Derick Wanganeen 16.
Final score
GEELONG 3.1 8.5 11.7 14.11 (95)
BOX HILL 5.8 6.12 9.18 17.20 (122)
GOALS
Geelong: Walker 4, Brown 3, Hartman, Schroder, Hollmer, Luxford, Lynch, Motlop, Bews.
Box Hill: Grimley 4, Sicily, Kennedy 2, O’Brien, Lawlor, Wood, Ceglar, Lock, Ross, Walker, Andrews, Murphy.
