Box Hill holds firm to beat Footscray in VFL despite comeback inspired by draftees Fergus Greene and Patrick Lipinski
A COMEBACK inspired by two draftees fell just short as reigning premier Footscray opened its VFL campaign with a two-point loss to Box Hill Hawks.
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A COMEBACK inspired by draftees Patrick Lipinski and Fergus Greene fell just short as reigning premier Footscray opened its VFL campaign with a two-point loss to Box Hill Hawks on Friday.
Chosen at pick No.28 in last year’s AFL National Draft, Lipinski booted four goals in the Bulldogs’ 15.5 (95) to 14.9 (93) defeat at Whitten Oval.
Lipinski gave the hosts a 10-point advantage early in the last quarter with his third goal of the contest, before Box Hill produced a four-goal flourish to open a 14-point buffer of its own.
Goals from Lauchlan Dalgleish and Lipinski came too late for Footscray to conjure a miraculous win as it fell two points short in Steve Grace’s first game as coach.
Earlier, the Hawks controlled the contest throughout the opening half and established a 17-point buffer at halftime.
David Mirra, Jack Fitzpatrick, Kade Stewart and Jonathan O’Rourke were prominent for the visitors, who had momentum in their corner at the main break.
The Bulldogs found another gear in the third term after Caleb Daniel answered a major from Box Hill’s Nicholas Evans.
Greene slotted two majors for the quarter and Lipinski one, allowing Footscray to take a three-point advantage to three-quarter-time.
A timely goal from Chris Jones at the 26-minute mark of the term took some of the gloss off Footscray’s dominance, allowing Box Hill to stay in touch.
A seesawing contest which always appeared destined for a close finish played out that way, with the clock saving Box Hill as Footscray stormed home.
Lukas Webb, Daniel, Bailey Williams and Mitch Honeychurch also performed strongly for the Dogs, who next meet Werribee on Saturday.
Box Hill is up against Coburg in Round 2 at Box Hill City Oval.
The Hawks’ home fixture starts at 2pm on Saturday.
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