FORMER Box Hill premiership coach and current Development Academy Coordinator Damian Caroll says Saturday’s VFL Qualifying Final is a crucial step in the development of Hawthorn’s young brigade.
After qualifying for the finals in fourth position with 13 wins, four losses and a draw, the Hawks will battle minor premiers Port Melbourne at North Port Oval for a spot in the Preliminary Final.
The Box Hill side will feature a number of Hawthorn’s up and coming players, including impressive youngsters Billy Hartung and James Sicily, alongside the likes of Mitch Hallahan, Luke Lowden, Sam Grimley and Alex Woodward.
International Rookie Kurt Heatherley has also been named in the back pocket, while experienced ruckman Ben McEvoy will shoulder the number one ruck duties after missing out on selection in the AFL team.
Caroll, who coached the Hawks to last year’s VFL premiership says Saturday’s first final is a major step in the development of Hawthorn’s youngsters.
“We’ve touched on it the last couple of weeks, the importance of playing well in finals and Box Hill doing well,” Caroll told hawthornfc.com.au
“It’s close to playing an AFL game now for them and it’s a really good experience.
“As the season has gone on they’ve probably appreciated the standard and quality of football and also the fact things will step up now.
“To achieve a lot in the VFL is something to tick off in your career as well and a step forward in your career so I know they’ll be really excited.”
Caroll is expecting a tough contest against rivals Port Melbourne, who have been the premier team all season.
Port Melbourne have lost just two matches this season but with all four of Box Hill’s defeats coming under two goals, Caroll says the group is confident heading into Saturday’s clash.
“For us to finish top four was out first goal and we’ve been able to do that,” he said.
“We are confident because our four losses have been by less than two goals, so we think we’ll be in the game and it’ll be tight.
“Hopefully for our sake we can play some of our better footy, which is what we’ll have to do against a strong side in Port Melbourne.”
The only meeting between the two sides this year was in Round 8, when Port Melbourne defeated Box Hill by just seven points.
On that day, Port Melbourne led at every change, with a five goal to three opening term setting up the victory.
Hawthorn midfielder Alex Woodward was Box Hill’s best on that day with 26 disposals, and his work around clearances will be of particular significance again on Saturday.
Caroll says he’s expecting another tight contest, something that has been the norm in matches between the two sides.
“It should be a fantastic game, we feel our list is in pretty good shape at the moment and we’ve started to play some good footy,” he said.
“We respect Port, they’ve had an outstanding season only having dropped two games for the year and they’re always hard to beat at home.
“We played a final at their ground last year against Werribee where we played really well, so we enjoy playing at that ground.
“The games against Port Melbourne that we’ve had, albeit some not finals, over the last six years have had just a matter of a few points in them so it should be a fantastic game.”
Box Hill take on Port Melbourne in the first Qualifying Final at North Port Oval at 2.10pm on Saturday.
The Club encourages all Hawks fans to get down and support Box Hill as they attempt to win their way straight through to the Preliminary Final.
Ticket prices: Adults: $15 / Concession: $10 / Kids 12 & under: Free
1st Qualifying Final
Port Melbourne v Box Hill Hawks
Saturday 30 August, 2.10pm
North Port Oval - Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne
B: Mascitti Noonan Tynan
HB: Magner Sandilands Wooffindin
C: Davies Pinwill T. O'Sullivan
HF: Valenti Pleming Marigliani
F: Lange Connors Bonaddio
Foll: Robinson Baird Cain
Int: S. O'Sullivan Langford Johnson Rowe T.Johnston Prowse* Michaliades Gordon Purcell
Box Hill Hawks
B: Heatherley Kennedy Brand
HB: Wanganeen Cheney Ross
C: Willsmore Iles Hartung
HF: Murphy Woodward Sicily
F: Grimley Walker* Lowden
Foll: McEvoy Hallahan Kelly
Int: Collins Lawlor McEvoy Cust Soccio Andrews Mirra Wood Lock
