"It’s a hard day at the office for players, coaches, everyone. It’s hard to win down here” was Box’s Hill head coach Damian Carroll thoughts after Saturday’s clash against North Ballarat.
Luckily for all those backing the brown and gold, the trip up the highway was made worthwhile, as Box Hill registered a 23 point win over the Roosters on their home turf.
With the wind swirling at Eureka Stadium, it was difficult for both sides to convert at the westerly facing end, but Box Hill managed to do enough across the four quarters to secure a win.
The first half was evenly matched, with only two points separating the sides at half time.
Box Hill won the toss, electing to shoot with the breeze. They kicked four goals while the wind made things difficult for Ballarat who were unable to convert.
The second term saw roles reversed, with the Roosters dominating possession and using their home ground advantage to run and spread the Hawks. They ended the quarter with five goals, bringing the margin back to two points at the long break.
With a lift in intensity required to stop the momentum of the Roosters, Box Hill came out hard after halftime. Led by the run of Shane Savage and Sam Iles, Box Hill’s effective ball use increased, while the forceful bodies of David Mirra and Angus Litherland rebounded the ball when it entered defensive 50. Box Hill had eight individual goal kickers for the quarter, while the Roosters lost their touch and recorded another goalless term.
The Roosters saw more of the ball across the four quarters than Box Hill did all day, winning the possessions count by 108 in the final tally. But in the end it was Box Hill’s ability to convert against the wind - kicking four in the last and five in total - that saw them able to withstand a late charge from the Roosters, who came home with nine goals in the last.
“For us that was really important, to not just kick all your goals over two quarters,” Carroll said post match.
“We dropped off a little bit at the end there but really good to come down here and have a win against a side that we still rate highly in such an even competition.”
Savage was best on ground for the Hawks winning both the disposal and honest effort counts, with 33 and 19 respectively, as well as kicking two goals.
Playing in the middle, Savage, along with Will Langford, Sam Iles, Mitch Hallahan and Xavier Murphy, proved once again the strength and importance of Box Hill’s midfield in their teams success, something that Carroll admits was missing in earlier weeks of the season.
“It is a strong midfield at the moment,” Carroll said. “I think they have really up their anti and improved their work rate around the ball, both ways, defensively and through attack. We’re getting goals out of our midfielders as well.”
Jonathan Ceglar had another outstanding day in the ruck, with 17 more hit outs than the total combine tally for the Roosters.
Matt Spangher showed his versatility and adaptability switching between forward, where he managed to kick a goal, and back, and winning Carroll’s praise post match. “He just competed and gave us a contest often when he was out number” Carroll said.
The win sees Box Hill move a game clear of Geelong on the ladder and cement themselves in third spot. The Hawks will be looking to break a Sandringham’s three game winning streak next Sunday when they take on the Dragons at home.
Final Score:
Box Hill 4.4 1.0 8.4 4.4 (114)
North Ballarat 0.2 5.0 0.3 9.2 (91)
Best: S. Savage, S. Iles, M. Spangher, W. Langford, M. Hallahan D. Mirra, A. Litherland, D. Wanganeen
Goals: D. Wanganeen 3, S. Savage 2, W. Langford 2, M. Northe 2, B. Wood 2, L. Lowden, P. Lawlor, M. Spangher, M. Lock, X. Ellis, T. Gordon
Hawks Players
34. Jordan Kelly
Stats: 13 disposals, 2 tackles, 3 marks
Played well in defence and used his body effectively with five hardball gets and five body spoils.
37. Jed Anderson
Stats: 9 disposals, 8 tackles, 4 hardball gets
Had a big second half, with five tackles in the third term and four pressure attacks after halftime. Was also good around the pack with three clearances.
38. Mitch Hallahan
Stats: 19 disposals, 7 tackles, 6 clearances
As always, a great workhorse in the middle with four hardball gets and also capitalised on his strength with seven tackles.
43. Amos Frank
Stats: 10 disposals, 1 mark, 1 tackles
A quiet day, but used the ball well when he had it.
46. Dereck Wanganeen
Stats: 10 disposals, 3 goals, 11 tackles
Was useful around ball all day and was the highest goal kicker on Box Hill’s list, one which came off the back of a great tackle that saw him rewarded with a free kick in the fourth.
47. Jonathan Ceglar
Stats: 9 disposals, 42 hitouts, 5 tackles
Number one ruckman on the day and was not far off doubling the Roosters total hitout count. Also applied good on ball pressure with five tackles.
61. Angus Litherland
Stats: 9 disposals, 2 tackles, 5 marks
Applied effective pressure in his role in half back. Work rate and effort was recognized by Carroll post match.
65. Will Langford
Stats: 16 disposals, 8 tackles, 5 clearances
Put together a great four quarter effort in the middle. Kicked a great, long bomb goal from a center bounce in the third and kicked Box Hill’s first in the fourth.
67. Matt Spangher
Stats: 11 disposals, 2 tackles, 1 goal
Played with class and adaptability and used his body well in the packs. Was a key player in Box Hill’s third quarter revival, kicking a great running goal and taking a few flying marks.
70. Luke Lowden
Stats: 13 disposals, 27 hitouts, 1 goal
Played well rotating into the ruck when Ceglar was off the ground. Also proved his usefulness around the contest with five clearances.
71. Shane Savage
Stats: 33 disposals, 11 clearances, 2 goals
Didn’t get below seven touches a quarter and started off Box Hill’s eight goal third term with a nice soccer off the ground. Also put in an incredible 19 honest effort including seven effective tackles and eight hardball gets.
80. Xaiver Ellis
Stats: 9 disposals, 1 goal, 2 clearances
Did well in his limited game time, kicking a clever goal in the third term after a quick handball from Wanganeen.
