Liam Shiels has made an impressive return to footy on Saturday, playing an integral role in Box Hill’s 72-point thumping win over Essendon.
After their blockbuster clash back in round two was decided in dying minutes of the final term, Saturday’s match proved to be a much more lacklustre affair.
In a commanding display, the Hawks made light work of a Bombers outfit that was looking for its fifth straight win.
Essendon struggled for most of the game and managed just two goals by three-quarter time despite the Hawks’ missing some key players, with Matt Spangher, Sam Grimley, Daniel Pratt and Xavier Murphy all out of the side.
Head Coach Damian Carroll was impressed with his young side’s effort saying, “that is no doubt as good a performance as we have had all year.”
“I thought our hardness around the ball today was as good as it has been all season.”
In his first hit out since suffering a hamstring injury in Round 14 Shiels, seemed to make it through the match without any trouble.
His pressure around the contest was first-class, finishing the day with nine tackles and one goal.
After being tagged most of the day by Bomber young gun, Elliot Kavanagh, Carroll described Shiels role in the win as “selfless.”
“We were able to manipulate Liam’s role a little bit to play a little bit inside and outside and forward and I suppose that helped us take [Kavanagh] out of the play.”
Kyle Cheney gave Hawthorn senior selectors something to think about in a performance that saw him in the top three best players. Taking eight marks, he continually cut short the Bombers forward advances and finished the day with 24 possessions.
Angus Litherland also played one of his best games of the season keeping towering forward Joe Daniher under wraps for most of the day, while Derick Wanganeen’s pace from half-back broke open the ground.
Despite an incident early in the day that saw the umpire take down his jumper number, young Hawk Tim O’Brien showcased what a future Hawthorn forward line could hold, kicking three goals and taking a couple of monster grabs.
Inaccuracy in front of goal was about the only fault Carroll and his team will have to look over this week, the Hawks finished the day with 21 behinds.
A mini three goal run in the final term was the closest thing to a challenge that Essendon could muster all day. But it was far too little too late, with goals from Sam Cust and Bryce Retzlaff sealing the percentage boosting 72 point final margin.
With only three rounds left of the home and away season, the win seals Box Hill’s spot inside the top four and leaves the door open for a potential home final.
Final Scores:
Box Hill: 3.7 6.13 10.19 15.21 (111)
Essendon: 1.3 1.5 2.7 5.9 (39)
Goals: D. Graham 4, T. O’Brien 3, B. Retzlaff 2, S. Cust 2, L. Shiels, J. Ceglar, J. Kelly, W. Langford
Best: K. Cheney, S. Iles, A. Litherland, W. Langford, M. Lock, M. O’Donnell
Hawthorn-listed players
34. Jordan Kelly
18 possessions, 7 marks, 1 goal
Another consistent performance from the young defender. His goal in the third term was a contender for goal of the day with a thumping long bomb from the centre square.
37. Jed Anderson
10 possessions, 11 tackles, 2 behinds
Although Anderson wasn’t able to convert on the scoreboard, an outstanding pressure performance around the contest, laying 11 effective tackles he was pivotal in slowing down the Bombers run.
38. Mitch Hallahan
18 possessions, 5 tackles, 7 clearances
Another impressive performance in the middle by the midfielder, who also spent time forward but was unsuccessful in front of goal.
40. Tim O’Brien
10 possessions, 3 goals, 4 marks
This young Hawk has been a consistent performer inside 50 since his inclusion in the senior side four weeks ago and Saturday’s match was no exception; he finished the day with three goals.
44. Andrew Boseley
6 possessions, 2 marks
A slow start by the youngster but he started to come into the game a bit more in the second half. Providing good run and pressure around the ball.
46. Derick Wanganeen
21 possessions, 7 marks, 3 tackles
Continuing his success in defence, Wanganeen was part of a smooth working defence unit that is fast cementing itself as one of the best in the league. Taking some good marks, his ability to accelerate and break away from the packs was impressive.
47. Jonathan Ceglar
16 possessions, 23 hitouts, 1 goal
A successful day in the ruck, he used his height well to take some important marks. His goal in the third term came off the back of a beautiful leap and grab.
61. Angus Litherland
12 possessions, 1 tackle, 4 marks
In one of his best games of the year, Litherland was given the task of Joe Daniher in defence. Despite the considerable height difference Litherland didn’t make things easy for Daniher and was rewarded with the coach’s praise post match.
63. Kyle Cheney
24 possessions, 8 marks, 4 tackles
The best of the Hawthorn listed players, with his intensity and pressure around the contest second to none. He consistently crashed the packs and his ability to get into the air to take contested marks is one of his best assets.
65. Will Langford
21 possession, 7 clearances, 8 tackles
A big last quarter saw him finish the day the Hawks’ second highest possession getter. A hard worker, his ability to cover ground at speed and clear the ball from the packs helped his team make quick entries inside 50.
70. Luke Lowden
7 possessions, 18 hitouts, 4 marks
A good second ruck option, he also spent time forward where he set up a goal by providing an intelligent tap down from a marking contest for Dalton Graham to run on to.
77. Michael Osborne
10 possessions, 6 tackles, 2 marks
Didn’t have as big an impact in front of goal as he has in previous weeks, but his footwork and ability to feed the ball inside 50 was an assest to his side.
82. Liam Shiels
15 possessions, 1 goal, 5 tackles
An impressive performance from the returning Hawk. Made it through the four quarters without any issues and had a big impact around the ball laying nine tackles. Took an exciting sliding mark in the fourth quarter to set himself up for a goal.
