VFL Development Team Grand Final Preview
Thursday, 17 September 2009

Box Hill Development Team vs. Sandringham
Sunday 20th September
TEAC Oval at 11.00am

By Daniel Dufty

TEAC Oval this weekend will be a buzz when the Box Hill Development Team takes on Sandringham Zebras in the 2009 VFL Reserves Grand Final.

After long pre-seasons, gruelling weight sessions and weekly triumphs and tribulations, one game will decide the fate for both teams, with immortality to the winner.

The Hawks will well remember last years Grand Final result against Williamstown which turned in the oppositions favour.

Coming as favourites into this years Grand Final, the Hawks will be looking to ground the Zebras and win their 2nd ever VFL Reserves Premiership.

Box Hill claimed their first ever VFL Reserve Grade Premiership in 2006 beating the undefeated and more-fancied Williamstown 10.11.71 to 8.11.59.

This weekend, Box Hill will regain 2009 A.Todd Medallist and Hawk midfielder Joel Cross back into the nest.

Cross will add extra depth to an already powerful centreline with Lachlan George also a possibility to return to the side.

Sandringham meanwhile will be full of confidence after taking out Williamstown by 44 points.

Williamstown collapsed out of the finals series much earlier than expected, after being the dominant force with Box Hill for much of the season.

With the 2008 ground final rematch out of the way, Sandringham will pose a different picture for the Hawks.

Hawks coach Dale Bower has done a fantastic job with the side this year.

Not only making the VFL Grand Final for the 2nd consecutive year, but maintaining a 12 game winning streak is a remarkable stat and something everyone involved in the team should be proud of.  

Last time these two sides met in Round 10 2009, Box Hill won by 104 points and with the Hawks on song with their sheer class, the margin could get even messier this time round.

But on a different ground to Box Hill City Oval, TEAC Oval will play its part in limiting the margin and with both sides on an even slate from the first bounce; it is anyone’s game for the taking.

Go Hawks!

Last Time:

Box Hill Hawks: 7.1 / 9.4 / 18.9 / 22.13.145   
Sandringham: 1.1 / 3.3 / 4.4 / 6.5.41

Goals: G. Conyers 6, C. Hoegel 5, L. Carey 3, J. Cross 2, R. Milne 2, B. Fagan, J. Bull, K. Nye, A. McGuinness

Best: K. Nye, L. George, J. Cross, A. McGuinness, G. Conyers, M. Cunningham

Box Hill Development Team Grand Final Record: Won 1, Lost 1

VFL Entry: Adults $15, Concession $10, Pensioner $10, Children Under 15 Years Enter Finals Free