VFL 2019: Box Hill Hawks too strong for Sandringham at City Oval

As Angus Hanrahan made his debut for Sandringham, his brother Oliver starred for Box Hill Hawks with four goals as they swept past the Zebras at City Oval.

A happy day for the Hawks, a sorry day for Sandy.

Reigning premier Box Hill hasn’t had the most convincing first half of seasons, but it was much too good for Sandringham at a wet, cold and dark City Oval on Saturday.

A muddy centre wicket area — a real sticky, you might say — and a burst of rain added to the testing conditions.

But the Hawks, always happy to switch play from their backline and kick the ball short, handled them well.

Their 12.11 (83) to 6.10 (46) point victory sent them from ninth on the ladder to seventh.

The loss had Sandy sliding from seventh to tenth ahead of a Round 13 meeting with table-topper Richmond.

Asked after the match if he could take any positives from the defeat, Zebras coach Aaron Hamill said: “We didn’t lose by 80 points.’’

The lights were turned on before the game and one minute into it, it was lights out for young Hawk Changkuoth Jiath after he took a knee to the head.

His legs wobbled as was helped to the bench. It was no surprise he didn’t come back on to the ground.

Players square off for old-fashioned wet-weather football at City Oval.

That left the Hawks one player down, and they were two down after half time owing to Hawthorn veteran Grant Birchall being on limited time in his return to football.

He had 10 neat disposals across half back in the first half then took a shower.

The Hawks might have been down on numbers on the bench, but they were ahead in all key statistics, starting with the hit-outs.

Sandy are without a genuine ruckman, and Sam Rowe, Kai Owens and even Tom Laumets had to go up against 202cm Marc Pittonet and 209cm Ned Reeves.

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In a strong Box Hill midfield, nine players had 20 possessions or more, led by James Cousins (30 possessions) and Harrison Jones (29).

Cousins received the Hawks’ best-afield medal on a day when the clubs played for the Blue Ribbon Cup, which honours slain Victoria Police members Gary Silk and Rodney Miller. The right-footer and Daniel Howe had been on standby for Hawthorn’s match against Sydney and flew back to Melbourne on Friday night.

Half forward Oliver Hanrahan had 17 touches and slotted four goals.

Former Port Melbourne star Damian Mascitti drifted down from half back to kick two, including a cracker on his left foot early in the third quarter.

David Mirra, now on 143 VFL games, was superb in defence too. In other words, he gave a trademark performance.

Oliver Hanrahan kicked four goals for the Hawks.

Hanrahan’s brother Angus, an over-age player with the Sandringham Dragons this year, made his debut for the Zebras as the 23rd player. He went close to kicking a goal with his first possession, a set-shot from the boundary line at the social club end.

Sam Fox is only 170cm but he was head and shoulders Sandy’s best player and received their Blue Ribbon Medal.

Hamill thought he was terrific.

“I really liked Fox’s game. He bored in, he played the right way, he got on the scoreboard, some of his positioning was really good around stoppage and his work rate was outstanding for us,’’ he said.

Sam Fox marks for Sandringham.

Hamill said of his team’s performance: “The third quarter was the only positive. We played two-and-a-half quarters, I guess, which doesn’t cut it against a pretty good outfit.

“They (the Hawks) had 17 (AFL) players and it makes a difference, quality players that allows them to set their system up and generate play. Minus 40 contested possessions … you’re not going to win many games of footy. They got us on the inside … minus 15 clearance, minus 30 hit-outs, the differential was significant in all stats, ground ball and loose ball. Their shape and system were much better, and they were cleaner with the footy.’’

Hawks coach Max Bailey acknowledged the tough conditions and said he was pleased with the way his players handled them.

He was chuffed for Birchall. “He’s been through so much over two years … just really excited for him that’s been able to do what he’s wanted to do for two years,’’ Bailey said.

Box Hill Hawks 3.2, 7.6, 9.8, 12.11 (83)

Sandringham 1.4, 2.5, 4.7, 6.10 (46)

Box Hill Hawks goals: O. Hanrahan 3, D. Mascitti 2, L. Meadows, V. Adduci, C. Nash, H. Jones, M. Lewis, W. Golds, J. Ross.

Best: J. Cousins, H. Jones, O. Hanrahan, L. Meadows, D. Mascitti, M. Lewis.

Sandringham goals: S. Fox 2, R. Young, K. Owens, B. Rice, S. Rowe.

Best: S. Fox, N. Coffield, D. Joyce, N. Brown, B. Long, B. Rice.