VFL 2018: David Mirra makes most of forward chance with star turn in Box Hill’s loss to Werribee

HE’S made his name as one of the competition’s pre-eminent backmen. But on Saturday, defender David Mirra was moved forward against Werribee with great effect.

Joshua Corbett, Kaiden Brand and David Mirra clash. Picture: Andy Brownbill

HE’S made his name as one of the competition’s pre-eminent backmen.

But on Saturday, champion defender David Mirra was moved forward against Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval.

His brief: shut down Tigers star and his former Box Hill teammate Sam Collins, who again looms large on the AFL draft radar after being cut by Fremantle last year.

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Collins was listed as Werribee’s best player but Mirra answered with four goals after logging just three majors in the previous two seasons.

The performance earnt the 27-year-old another mention in the best players, but his efforts failed to get Box Hill over the line.

Chris Jones kicked the first two goals of the last quarter as Box Hill established a 11-point buffer, only for Werribee to rally and record a 15.5 (95) to 12.9 (81) victory.

“We had a bit of a game plan with Collins, who’s obviously had a fantastic year and you need to spend a bit of time planning for him and that was our plan for him,” suspended Box Hill captain Andrew Moore said.

“Mirra had a fantastic game, obviously kicked a couple of goals and was one of our best players as well but he really nullified Collins’ impact on the game and had a tremendous game.”

Could the performance see Mirra rewarded with an AFL recall as a forward?

Joshua Corbett, Kaiden Brand and David Mirra collide in a marking contest. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It’s been thrown up quite a few times, I think he could play anywhere really … he was kicking beautifully on Saturday as well when he was having his set shots, but he’s probably too good to not have down back, his leadership and the way he sets up across that halfback line,” Moore said.

“I think he’s a big loss when we don’t have him back there but then again, you can see what he can do when he’s up forward.”

Mirra was one of the feel-good stories of last year’s rookie draft, selected by Hawthorn after plying his trade with the Hawks’ VFL affiliate since the start of the decade.

He played the first five games of the AFL season but his form at Box Hill could again soon see him rewarded with a call-up — it would be a dream to see him play finals.

“He’s had a really consistent year, no different to what he has been over many years at Box Hill,” Moore said.

“Hopefully he does get another (AFL) opportunity, I think he really deserves it … I definitely reckon he’s taken his football to the next level.”

Box Hill had eight players have one possession or less in the last quarter, allowing the Tigers to kick the last four goals of the game.

The result dropped the Hawks out of the top four ahead of difficult assignments against Casey Demons (first) and Geelong (third).

“It was a massive opportunity for us and we let it slip unfortunately,” Moore said.

“Credit to Werribee, they played some great football and really put the pressure on and we just weren’t able to cope over the four quarters.”

Moore has another week to serve on his two-week suspension for striking Collingwood’s Jarryd Blair in Round 18.