DEVELOPMENT TEAM MATCH REPORT - PRELIMINARY FINAL
Monday, 14 September 2009

Box Hill Development Team Match Report
VFL Reserves First Preliminary Final – at TEAC Oval

By Daniel Dufty

Grand Final glory looms for the Box Hill Development Team after they knocked off the quick starting, North Ballarat, by 82 points in the First Preliminary Final.

Box Hill’s second grand final appearance in a row was a certainty after slamming on 9 goals to 1 in the third term.

It was an outstanding all round performance by the Hawks amid North Ballarat’s containment of Box Hill in the opening term and Coach Dale Bower couldn’t have been happier with his players.

“North Ballarat really applied the pressure early on, running the game down and keeping
our kicking game away. After half-time, our ability to fully run allowed us to play out our usual game,”

“The groups got a really great character, playing for each other from a wide variety of different football backgrounds,” Bower said.

Equally sharing the football in the 1st, both sides had their opportunities. But, Box Hill’s break of play with 16 goals to six after half-time was the difference.

Box Hill’s strangle hold of the game could be seen in the sides thirty-six extra inside fifty’s (75-39), 154 more disposals (417-263) and twenty-two more scoring shots (40-18).

Dale Walker was the best of the Hawks with 30 disposals, while Jack Bull (32), Tom Purcell (30) and Leigh Kitchin (24) also played strong roles.

Along with Bull, Glen Parker and Ben Kennedy kicked three goals a piece in the team’s twelve individual goal scorers.

Looking ahead to the clash with Sandringham, Bower expects a hard tussle.

“Sandringham played really well this weekend, so no doubt it is going to be a tough contest once again,”

Sandringham defeated Williamstown by 44 points in the Second Preliminary Final with Brett Eddy adding to the carnage with six goals.

The Box Hill Development team will play Sandringham in the VFL Reserves Grand Final at TEAC Oval this Sunday 20th September so get down to see Box Hill run out for the last time in 2009.

Let’s hope it is another premiership year.

Box Hill Development Team: 3.3 / 6.8 / 15.15 / 22.18.150
North Ballarat: 3.1 / 4.4 / 5.5 / 10.8.68

Goals: J. Bull 3, G. Parker 3, B. Kennedy 3, B. Smithwick 2, K. Nye 2, G. Conyers 2, C. Hoegel 2, C. Peterson, B. Coyle, L. Kitchin, D. Marcius, A. McGuinness

Best: D. Walker, J. Bull, T. Purcell, L. Kitchin, L. Carey, G. Conyers