VFL 2018: Box Hill scores 21-point win over Geelong to set up VFL elimination final against Port Melbourne
FOUR-time Hawthorn premiership player Grant Birchall could play his first game in more than a year when Box Hill meets Port Melbourne in a VFL elimination final.
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BOX Hill and Port Melbourne will add another chapter to their recent rivalry when they meet in a VFL elimination final this weekend.
And the Hawks could likely be boosted by the addition of four-time AFL premiership player Grant Birchall from an ongoing knee injury.
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Birchall last played in Round 15 last year but Box Hill captain Andrew Moore said the 30-year-old could return through the state league for his first game in nearly 15 months in what would be a significant boost for Hawthorn’s premiership hopes.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure what the go is and where he is in terms of his football but it would be nice to see him come around and chuck on the Box Hill guernsey,” Moore said.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure where is in terms of his rehab but I think he is moving pretty well and a likely inclusion.”
Led by five goals from Mitch Lewis, Box Hill overcame a slow start to score a 21-point win over Geelong at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday.
The visitors had a top-two spot on the line, but conceded eight of the last 10 goals to have a 15-point lead late in the third term turn into a 14.9 (93) to 10.12 (72) loss.
Box Hill kicked 12.3 to 5.5 after halftime to finish the home and away season in sixth.
The Hawks managed just two goals in the first half and trailed by as much as 24 points, but six goals to three in the third quarter cut the margin to two points at the final change.
The home side then went on to kick six goals to two in the final half-hour, with Lewis’ fifth goal from the boundary putting the sealer on the victory.
Moore also kicked three goals to continue his fine season.
“Geelong came out and really put the pressure on us initially and we didn’t really cope with it too well, (it was) more their perceived pressure than anything,” Moore said.
“We were a little bit fumbly and just playing too safe, which is not out go.
“We saw in the second half we were able to change lanes, come through the corridor and get our run and carry going and we were able to break the lines.”
The result sets up a knockout final against the Borough at North Port Oval, with the two playing a catalogue of classic matches in the past decade.
“Obviously we’ve got a fierce rivalry between us two … every time it is a close battle and we can’t wait for next week,” Moore said.
“We think we match up pretty well with them but it’s going to be a challenge.
“They’re a fantastic club, we’ve always had close encounters and we love coming up against them, we seem to always lift when we come up against them and they do the same.”
Box Hill will meet Port Melbourne on Saturday at 2.10pm.
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