VFL Finals: First Semi-Final Preview
Thursday, 10 September 2009

Port Melbourne vs. Box Hill Hawks
Sunday 13th September
TEAC Oval at 1.10pm

By Daniel Dufty

After ending Geelong’s finals campaign, the Box Hill Hawks continue to work their way towards grasping the Holy Grail against Port Melbourne.

Box Hill stormed home last weekend kicking 17 goals to 9 after the 1st term, running out comprehensive 34 point winners.

All of the Box Hill side played their part in the Hawks sixth consecutive victory. 

On the other hand, Port Melbourne’s finals series got off to a shaky start, losing to North Ballarat by 48 points in the First Qualifying Final at Eureka Stadium.

North Ballarat blew away Port Melbourne’s possible week off with a 7 goal final term, completing the job with ten individual goal scorers in the side’s fifteen goals.

Struggling, the Borough could only manage six majors while being held goalless in the final term.

It was always going to be a poisoned chalice for the loser of the Round 20 Port Melbourne v Williamstown match as the loser had North Ballart last years VFL premier and 2009 minor premier to play in the 1st week of finals.

Williamstown not only won the game but ended Port Melbourne’s 20 match winning streak at TEAC Oval.

Box Hill meeting Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval not only will be a test of strength and character against a team who knows the ground from head to toe, but a matter of taking out of the match the sides stronger bodies and tall’s who pose a real threat. 

Port Melbourne’s form isn’t the best with losses to both 1st and 2nd placed sides in the last two weeks after the initial VFL Home and Away season in North Ballarat (48 pts) and Williamstown (42pts).

Box Hill liking smaller grounds with similar dimensions to Box Hill City Oval, TEAC Oval is the perfect place for the Hawks. 

Having won 8 of 9 matches this year at TEAC Oval; Port Melbourne will be looking to add to their easy accountability of sides at the venue.

But, two losses in a row and subsequently a broken 20 game winning steak gives the Hawks extra confidence coming into the big clash.

An air of invincibility is lost for Port Melbourne, but still an amazing record remains with 20 out of 21 games won.

A good start is a must for the Hawks this weekend, after opposition sides in the past have escaped away early leaving Box Hill to play catch up football.

Port Melbourne’s firepower in front of goal poses a problem for the side after a lack of goals from key-forwards in recent weeks.

Without a VFL affiliate like Box Hill with Hawthorn, Port Melbourne start a step behind, but have former AFL players in Dylan McLaren, Cory McGrath, and Adrian DeLuca at their disposal.

Toby Pinwill also returns from suspension after a week off, after being reported for high contact on Williamstown’s David Stretton in Round 20. 

Box Hill’s VFL players have stepped up all season due to Hawthorn’s heavy injury toll during the 2009 AFL Season in a pleasing observation with a non-fully reliance on Hawthorn players assistance to victory.

Co-Captain Steve Kenna is still a possibility to return, while for Port Melbourne Cory McGrath is set to play his 100th game of VFL Football.

It is Box Hill’s 1st Semi-Final appearance since the 2004 VFL Finals Series when Box Hill met the Coburg Tigers.

A privilege to play finals, the Hawks after a lack of finals in recent times will look to continue their strong vein of form and not give their season away easily, after such hard work throughout the year.

Last time these two sides played in Round 15 2009, Box Hill won by 8 points at Box Hill City Oval.

Head to Head:

Played: 58 Box Hill 16, Port Melbourne 42

Last Time:

Box Hill Hawks: 3.3 / 3.7 / 4.12 / 9.20.74  
Port Melbourne: 1.3 / 5.8 / 7.10 / 9.12.66  

Goals: S. Gibson 2, J. Morton 2, B. Whitecross 2, A. Yze, B. Muston, T. Tuck

Best: S. Kenna, H. Kiel, T. Tuck, J. Morton, B. Whitecross, C. Stokes

VFL FINALS INFORMATION – FIRST SEMI-FINAL

Port Melbourne v Box Hill Hawks

Venue: TEAC Oval, Williamstown Road, Port Melbourne

Ticket Prices:

Adult $15, Concession $10, Pensioner $10, Children Under 15 Years Enter Finals Free

Curtain Raiser:

Box Hill Development Team vs North Ballarat  VFL Reserves First Preliminary Final 10:20am

Television Coverage:

ABC 1: 1pm (Live)

Development Team:

The Box Hill Development Team resumes their 2009 VFL Reserves Finals Series against North Ballarat.

Resting in the 1st week of the VFL Finals, Box Hill was able to freshen up, while North Ballarat just slid past Frankston in the First Elimination Final at Eureka Stadium by 19 points.

Box Hill will look to post its 12th consecutive victory with this weekend’s match deciding who will play in the 2009 VFL Reserves Grand Final at TEAC Oval on Sunday 20th September.

Either Williamstown or Sandringham will be the opposition of this weekend’s game with everything lying on the line

Last time these two sides played in Round 13 2009, Box Hill won by 20 points at Box Hill City Oval.