SENIOR TEAM MATCH REPORT - SEMI FINAL
Monday, 14 September 2009

Box Hill Hawks Match Report
VFL Seniors First Semi Final – at TEAC Oval

By Daniel Dufty

The Box Hill Hawks VFL season came to a close after a last-gasp four-point victory to Port Melbourne at TEAC Oval.

It was the most breathtaking exhibition of daylight robbery you are ever likely to see as Port Melbourne closed the door on the Hawks in a ruthless final display of aggression.

Successive goals to Luke Breust and Jarrad Morton gave the Hawks a 10-point buffer at the 19th minute of the final term before Cory McGrath kicked a long goal from outside 50 and Adrian Bonaddio snapped his fifth goal of the match to put the Borough in front.

Having the opportunity to win the match, the Hawks could not find a target in the dying stages, after a Mark Williams goal cut the margin to 4 points. Hawks coach Brendon Bolton contemplated what could have been.

“We had our chance to win the game, that’s what’s disappointing” Bolton said.

No light between either side at the final break with 14.9 a piece, Port Melbourne’s 5.5 to the Hawks 5.1 was the difference in a classic final of constant lead changes and thrilling play through the middle.

Injuries played havoc for both sides with Sam Iles going down with a hamstring strain in the second term, likewise John Baird missing after half-time with an Achilles injury.

Box Hill fought bravely against a highly respected opponent, and was unlucky to not come away with the win.
Contentious umpiring decisions played throughout the final term holding back the Hawks, but they were able to recover and nearly steal back a Preliminary Final birth.

Patriotic the Hawks swag of supporters gave the side a real lift and no doubt felt the raw emotion of the loss much like the playing group.

Football has its harsh reality, and the Hawks felt the pain of its worst kind, but will learn a hell of a lot through the experience with such a young playing group.

Adem Yze led the way for the Hawks with 30 touches and three goals in another display of great leadership in such an important game. Haydn Kiel (22), Ed Curnow (21), Lukas Markovic (16) and Cameron Pedersen (16) 20 hitouts and two goals all were the Hawks better performers.

Hawks veteran Marco Bello (14) also set the world alight especially in the final term with some classy play setting up forward play and giving the side some much needed momentum.

Luke Breust played his part on the score-sheet with three goals in another pleasing performance for the Hawthorn rookie. Box Hill can look proudly on their achievements in the 2009 season.

Not only did the side finish in 5th position after the Home and Away season at 12-6 but also managed to win its 1st Elimination Final after a four year wait to reach the finals and made for the first time in 5 years a VFL Semi-Final appearance.

With an overall record of 13-7 with the Hawks home record of 10-1 the most impressive of all, the seasons performance is a credit to the player’s hard work throughout the season and the brilliant coaching of Brendon Bolton in his first season at the club.

The 2010 season looks bright for Box Hill with a young list and still so much to learn, history could be beckoning with a possible VFL flag.

Port Melbourne: 6.3 / 8.8 / 14.9 / 19.14.128
Box Hill Hawks: 4.2 / 8.4 / 14.9 / 19.10.124

Goals: L. Breust 3, A. Yze 3, T. Walsh 2, S. Savage 2, C. Pedersen 2, S. Iles, S. Gibson, M. Williams, E. Curnow, J. Lisle, J. Morton, B. Neil

Best: A. Yze, H. Kiel, E. Curnow, L. Markovic, C. Pedersen, J. Morton