Box Hill won the battle for second, and a home final, in a thrilling two-point victory against a fast finishing Casey Scorpions at City Oval on Saturday.

It was a contest with serious ramifications, the loser would be travelling up the highway to take on Geelong at Simmonds Stadium while the winner would earn themselves a home final against Williamstown.

Jordan Kelly was instrumental in cutting off Casey’s efforts in moving the ball forward early. He had five intercept marks in the first quarter alone and was a big reason as to why Box Hill were able to begin reeling the Scorpions back in after they jumped out to an early lead.

“He was very good, his marking from opposition kicks was very pleasing with the way he set up behind the ball,” said Box Hill coach Damian Carroll.

“We thought he created a fair bit of run today as well and he got on the end of a few chains and used the ball well.” 

Hawthorn’s Jonathan Simpkin continues to put his hand up for selection for the senior team with another excellent, well-rounded performance at Box Hill – this time collecting a game high 28 disposals to accompany his game high six clearances. Xavier Ellis was also ubiquitous, finding the ball across all three lines of the ground.

Matt Spangher returned from injury to play his first game in three weeks and didn’t appear to have missed a beat. He kicked two important goals on his way to gathering 21 disposals and 10 marks in a best on ground display. Once again he displayed his ability to be a genuine swingman, playing today’s game as a forward.

The final quarter was a roller coaster ride from the opening minute when Casey kicked a goal to close the gap to two points. Box Hill responded with the next two goals, but they wouldn’t kick anymore for the game and Casey began their comeback in earnest. In the final ten minutes it was all Casey and they had several opportunities to claim the lead but they just peppered the goal face with inaccurate kicking.

Andrew Bosely, Angus Litherland, Kyle Cheney and Simpkin all had timely marks or spoils late in the quarter to halt Casey’s movement forward and reclaim possession. It was a game where the next team to kick a goal would likely have won the match.

Carroll knows his side needs to improve if they want to book a preliminary final’s berth next week: “There was so many opportunities that they had and some of them were a result of pretty ordinary turnovers on our behalf, so we’re going to have to use the ball better than we did today to have a chance against Williamstown.”

Goals: B. Retzlaff 4, S. Grimley 2, M. Spangher 2, L. Lowden, M. O''Donnell
Best: M. Spangher, J. Simpkin, X. Ellis, K. Cheney, B. Retzlaff, J. Kelly

Final score:
Box Hill 3.5 5.7 8.11 10.12 (72)
Casey 3.2 4.4 7.9 9.16 (70)

Hawthorn listed players

34. Jordan Kelly
Stats: 9 kicks, 10 handballs, 8 marks
He was really solid all game long, but it was the first quarter where he did his best work. By the end of the first quarter he looked like he was going to challenge for best on ground honours by continually stymying Casey’s forward thrusts with his five intercept marks.

35. Sam Grimley
Stats: 13 disposals, 6 marks, 2 goals
Played up forward most of the game but also provided a bit of relief for Luke Lowden by taking some of the ruck duties late in the contest. His first goal was the result of an impressive mark and his second showed resolve when he held his nerve to kick a clutch goal and take a five-point lead midway through the final term.

44. Andrew Boseley
Stats: 5 kicks, 3 handballs, 4 marks
Played off a wing and half-back where he was quiet for the most part but did show some smarts when he had the ball. Illustrated by one passage of play where he received the ball under immense pressure but made the right decision, a clever unorthodox chip kick, to find his teammate and set up a scoring foray. Also saved the day late with a goal-line spoil. 

46. Derick Wanganeen
Stats: 11 disposals, 3 marks, 3 rebound 50s
Again, he looked comfortable providing run out of defence. While he didn’t get a tonne of if, when he did, his ability to carry the ball before finding a teammate by foot made his 11 disposal game look more impressive than his stats would otherwise suggest. He was also solid every time he was caught one on one with his direct opponent – not losing a contest.

61. Angus Litherland
Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 5 rebound 50s
Another Hawk who provided late game defensive heroics, with his mark on the goal line stopping a certain goal that would have put Casey in front with seconds remaining. Provided his usual dash out of defence all game long and was second for the team in rebound 50s.

63. Kyle Cheney
Stats: 16 kicks, 3 handballs, 7 marks
Had the kick in duties, which were especially important in the high pressure last term when Casey were peppering the goal face and he proved to be up to the task. Displayed real courage several times by going back with the flight to take a saving mark or spoil. He was also crafty in the forward half this week with two of his three inside 50s resulting in Box Hill goals.

67. Matt Spangher
Stats: 21 disposals, 10 marks, 2 goals
Displayed his versatility by playing the role of a forward this week and booting two goals. He also provided ruck relief throughout the game by taking some of the ruck contests when Lowden and Grimley weren’t in the middle. His second efforts and follow up work were just as impressive as the rest of his work around the ground.

70. Luke Lowden
Stats: 14 disposals, 20 hitouts, 1 goal
Battled hard in the ruck all day against two quality, AFL proven opponents in Mark Jamar and Max Gawn. While they won the hitout battle convincingly, Lowden was able to hurt them a little bit with his non-stop work around the ground.

72. Jonathan Simpkin
Stats: 28 disposals, 6 marks, 6 clearances
He just did what he always does at this level; hunt the ball both inside and outside of packs. Led both teams for disposals had the most clearances on the day as well. His skills were particularly sublime and he was another who stood up to be counted late in the game with a gutsy mark.

77. Michael Osborne
Stats: 9 kicks, 3 handballs, 3 marks
Didn’t find the ball as much as previous weeks but when he did he show that he still has a touch of class about him. At one point he gathered the ball in congestion and fired off a quick handball for a running teammate before anyone else knew what was happening. 

80. Xavier Ellis
Stats: 27 disposals, 7 rebounds 50s, 6 clearances
Had the ball on a string playing both in the middle and off the half back line. Showed a real ability to win the ball in close when playing as a midfielder and also provide important rebound when cast as a backman. Displayed real guts after copping a big hit early and not letting it affect his game one bit.