Plenty of Saints will be out to impress in the VFL this weekend when Sandringham hosts the Box Hill Hawks at Trevor Barker Oval.
ALL THE DETAILS
Where: Trevor Barker Oval, Sandringham
When: Sunday, 30 July
Time: 2pm
Conditions: Cloudy conditions and rain is forecast for Sunday, the temperature only reaching a top of 16 degrees.
Last time they met:
Sandringham 9.15 (69) def. by Box Hill Hawks 13.13 (91) at Trevor Barker Oval, Round 19, 2016.
Goals: Shenton 4, Iudica 2, Answerth, Holmes, Lee.
Best: Shenton, Sinclair, Rice, White, Murdoch, Templeton.
Form guide:
Sandringham returns home to host the top of the table Box Hill Hawks on Sunday, searching for their third successive win following strong victories over Port Melbourne and Geelong in the past fortnight. The Zebras sit just outside the top eight in ninth on percentage so wins are going to be crucial in the run home, starting against the Hawks.
The Box Hill Hawks have won seven of their past ten games and are on a two-game winning streak, proving the ultimate test for VFL coach Lindsay Gilbee and his Zebras. The Hawthorn-aligned Box Hill will be determined to flex their muscle again and make it three wins in a row to hold onto top spot.
Selected team:
B: 50 R.Atkins 20 E.Le Grice 13 J.Noone
HB: 9 M.Cook 61 D.Joyce 16 M.Hayes
C: 70 D.McKenzie 34 B.Long 39 E.Phillips
HF: 62 R.Connellan 36 J.Battle 76 N.Wright
F: 6 J.Fisscher 69 J.Holmes 1 D.Weickhardt
R: 30 T.Hickey 2 K.Answerth 63 N.O’Kearney
Int: 35 H.Brayshaw, 14 T.Grace, 4 T.Laumets, 11 J.Matera, 71 L.Pierce
Players to watch:
SANDRINGHAM
Josh Battle
Just one week after his AFL debut, 18-year-old Battle produced his best game at VFL level against Geelong kicking four goals along with 19 disposals and four marks. Listed at 193cm, the first-year key forward looks an exciting prospect for the Saints and if he can continue strong form at Sandringham, expect a return to AFL ranks in the coming weeks.
Tom Hickey
With four ruckmen all vying for AFL starts on the St Kilda list, Hickey put in a strong performance in the win over Geelong last Saturday - finishing with 28 disposals, seven marks, 35 hitouts and one goal. It's been a tough season for the 26-year-old, form and injury disrupting his 2017 at AFL level but if he continues to dominate again against Box Hill, he’s every chance of a return to Alan Richardson’s team.
BOX HILL HAWKS
Marc Pittonet
Dominant in the Hawks’ win over Werribee last week, the AFL-listed Hawk took control around the ground to finish with 49 hitouts, ten tackles, 14 disposals and one goal to his name. The 21-year-old continues to develop well at VFL level, who is seen as a potential successor to Ben McEvoy as Hawthorn’s number one ruckman.
Kade Stewart
Plucked out of the 2016 Rookie Draft from South Fremantle, the 20-year-old has impressed many at Waverley Park in recent times. In a dominant VFL display for Box Hill last week, Stewart finished with 23 disposals and a goal but led the tackle count with 13 for the match. He continues to press his name for AFL selection at Hawthorn but presents a dangerous player for Sandringham to put time into on Sunday.
