Victorian Football League: Box Hill edges Williamstown by a point to earn a shot at Casey Demons in the grand final

Box Hill booked its place in next Sunday’s VFL grand final against Casey following a thrilling one-point win over Williamstown at North Port Oval on Sunday.

Box Hill booked its place in next Sunday’s VFL grand final against Casey following a thrilling one-point win over Williamstown at North Port Oval on Sunday.

With just seconds to go Williamstown’s Jaylon Thorpe had the chance to send the Seagulls to the big dance, with a set shot from 40m out on a tight angle. But he missed and Box Hill survived.

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We’re on our way to the grand final. Box Hill celebrates Picture: Michael Dodge (Getty Images)

One of the Hawks’ favourite sons, Brendan Whitecross, had a stellar final quarter across halfback and will now aim for his first premiership in the brown and gold.

“I can’t speak any more highly of the bloke, each week he gets thrown a different challenge,” Box Hill coach Chris Newman said. “It can change at the drop of a hat, you’re playing forward and all of a sudden we take him back, we need him inside, he’s so adaptable and so coachable. He’s an outstanding leader, outstanding player and had another good game today.”

Jono O’Rourke had earlier started the game like a house on fire for the Hawks, collecting 10 first-quarter disposals before finishing with 21 touches.

“Jono was pretty good for us playing predominantly wing and it can be pretty hard on this ground to get a real huge impact from the wing position, so we thought we’d give him an opportunity and he took that today,” Newman said.

Box Hill will start as underdogs against Casey at Docklands but will welcome back a number of AFL listed players.

“We know there are a few that have qualified but it’ll probably be up to the powers above to see who they want to get some grand final exposure,” Newman said.

Box Hill’s James Cousins runs away from Willimsstown’s Joel Tippett Picture: Michael Dodge (Getty Images)

Preliminary Final 2

North Port Oval (Sunday, September 16)

Williamstown 3.4 6.5 10.9 13.12 (90)

Box Hill 2.1 6.5 11.8 13.13 (91)

WILLIAMSTOWN Goal Kickers: W. Wheeler 2, S. Dunell 2, N. Rodda 2, J. Pongracic, M. Gibbons, B. Monk, O. Tate, B. Bewley, J. Thorpe, B. Cavarra Best Players: B. Cavarra, M. Gibbons, B. Bewley, J. Tippett, B. Monk, J. Greiser

BOX HILL HAWKS Goal Kickers: D. Moore 4, O. Hanrahan 2, K. Lovell, A. Brolic, W. Hams, C. Jones, B. Whitecross, M. Lewis, J. Cousins Best Players: W. Hams, D. Moore, M. O’’Donnell, A. Moore, C. Glass, M. Pittonet

Preliminary Final 1

North Port Oval (Saturday, September 16)

Casey Demons 3.4 5.9 8.10 10.13 (73)

Essendon 3.3 6.3 9.5 10.5 (65)

CASEY DEMONS Goal Kickers: J. Garlett 3, C. Pedersen 2, C. Wagner, M. Lefau, M. Gent, B. Vince, J. Munro Best Players: C. Wagner, J. Munro, J. Kennedy-Harris, B. Vince, T. Bugg, J. Garlett

ESSENDON Goal Kickers: N. Lazzaro 2, A. Heppell, D. Younan, D. Clarke, J. Stewart, H. Hocking, S. Draper, N. Hind, J. Merrett Best Players: D. Clarke, J. Ridley, N. Lazzaro, K. Mutch, J. Long, A. Heppell

Box Hill’s Jonathan O'Rourke is gang tackled. Picture: Michael Klein