HAWTHORN midfielder Alex Woodward pressed his claim again for a senior debut after another impressive performance in Box Hill’s seven-point loss to Port Melbourne at City Oval on Sunday.
Woodward, who has endured two knee reconstructions since being drafted by Hawthorn in 2011, was again named in the Hawks’ best after another 20 plus disposal game.
The in-and-under midfielder had a team-high seven clearances in Sunday’s loss, the second-most of any player on the ground along with 26 disposals and three inside 50s.
It is the fourth strong performance from Woodward, who is strongly staking his claim to join the list of Hawthorn debutants this season, which currently sits at five after the debut of Billy Hartung in Round 7.
His impressive performance comes after winning 20 touches in last week’s win over Richmond’s VFL side and 29 disposals against Coburg in Round 6 of the VFL.
But his performance against West Perth in the Foxtel Cup three weeks ago was arguably his best, where he gathered a game-high 29 touches at Etihad Stadium.
“He was really solid again for us, particularly in the second half where his output improved both with the ball and defensively,” Development Academy Coordinator and Box Hill premiership Coach Damian Caroll told hawthornfc.com.au
“He found some good footy in the second half and took the game on, which was good.”
Known best for his contested ball-winning ability, Caroll said it has been the improvement in his outside run and ball use that is behind his impressive performances.
“His contested work is one of his highlights – he won seven clearances, which was the second-most on the ground by any player,” Caroll said.
“We’re pretty reliant on him around the stoppages but we’ve also found his ability to spread and receive on the outside is improving.”
Rookie-listed Hawk Zac Webster was also named in the best, playing an important shut down role on Port Melbourne midfielder Shane Valenti.
Webster, who was also named in the best in last week’s win restricted the premiership player to 20 disposals, while gathering 17 of his own and won praise from Caroll.
“Playing on a player of Shane Valenti’s quality, who’s one of the best VFL players going around, to be able to keep him down in possessions and win some of the ball himself was really pleasing,” he said.
“We don’t want him just to be a guy who plays shut down roles and not get the ball himself, so his 17 disposals was really pleasing for us.”
Developing backman Kaiden Brand was also among those to impress, playing on a range of Port Melbourne forwards as a solid defender for the Hawks.
“He had about 10 spoils for the game, which is a season-high for him,” Caroll said.
“He was really good on some of the Port Melbourne forwards who win a lot of the footy and kick goals. He was pretty strong down there all day.”
Fellow defender Angus Litherland, who is one of the five Hawthorn debutant this season was also named in the best, while rookie Ben Ross impressed with 23 disposals and a goal.
FINAL SCORE
BOX HILL HAWKS 3.5 9.8 12.10 13.14 (92)
PORT MELBOURNE 5.2 10.4 13.6 15.9 (99)
GOALS
BOX HILL HAWKS: Cust, Collins 2, Kennedy, Ross, O’Donnell, Grimley, Murphy, Lowden, Franetic, Andrews, O’Brien.
PORT MELBOURNE: Rowe 5, Robinson, Magner 2, Scipione, O’Sullivan, Sinclair, Valenti, Bonaddio, Langford.
BEST
BOX HILL HAWKS: Webster, Litherland, Brand, Woodward, Ross, Andrews, Mirra.
PORT MELBOURNE: Baird, Pinwill, Cain, Noonan, Sinclair, Rowe, Magner.
