SANDRINGHAM vs BOX HILL HAWKS
Where: Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham
When: Sunday, 14 August
Time: 2pm
Coverage: Follow VFL reporter Justin Cooper on Twitter: @justinr_cooper for scores and tune in to SAINTS.com.au post-game for a full match report.
Form guide:
Sandringham returned to the winners list following three consecutive losses with a significant 53-point win over North Ballarat at Eureka Stadium last round, seeing the Zebras return to the top-four. The Zebras hold onto fourth spot on percentage (122.1%) with Port Melbourne breathing down their neck in fifth (105.3%), clearly indicating that a top-four finish isn’t cemented yet.
Conversely, the Box Hill Hawks accounted for Werribee by 37-points at Box Hill City Oval last round and sit one game out of the top eight. The Hawks will be looking to come home strong to feature in another finals series, with the last two games at home following Sunday’s trip to Sandringham.
Last time they met:
Sandringham 12.9 (81) def. by the Box Hill Hawks 18.10 (118) at Box Hill City Oval, Round 1 2016.
Goals: Answerth 2, Zijai 2, Simpkin, Burbury, Cook, Gresham, Templeton, Acres, Delaney, Holmes.
Best: Answerth, Noone, Acres, Templeton, Lee, Gresham, Delaney.
Key match ups:
The ninth placed Hawks will be keen to assert their influence at Trevor Barker Beach Oval early, in a bid to unsettle a Sandringham side that has only won one of their past four games.
The Hawks have plenty of talent led by captain David Mirra and ex-Gold Coast Sun Sam Iles and Marc Lock, complimenting the Hawthorn contingent.
The Zebras are expected to field all three of Billy Longer, Lewis Pierce and St Kilda emergency Jason Holmes to take the ruck dominance and provide key targets in attack with the absence of Paddy McCartin due to an AFL recall.
Eli Templeton will be a welcome return to the Sandringham engine room, adding to the class of Myke Cook, Kade Answerth, Jack Sinclair, Josh Saunders, Tom Curren and Brodie Murdoch.
Tom Lee will get first crack on the in-form Jack Fitzpatrick while the likes of Kade Stewart, Tim O’Brien and Ryan Schoenmakers presents the Sandringham back six with threats to score.
Players to watch:
Sandringham – Nick O’Kearney
Returned to the Sandringham side after an injured absence, the Saints rookie made an instant impact with three goals and 24 disposals against North Ballarat last round. His outside run and goals nous adds another running weapon for Paul Hudson, complimenting the midfield core.
Box Hill Hawks – Angus Litherland
The Hawthorn-listed defender was outstanding against Werribee last round, pulling in nine marks and 26 disposals. The 23-year-old West Australian is versatile with his ability to play on tall and small forwards, as well as his big tank which he loves to run off half-back with and create forward plays.
Conditions:
The weather is forecast to be overcast with periods of sunshine, reaching a top of 17 degrees.
St Kilda players in the squad:
Tom Lee, Brandon White, Jimmy Webster, Luke Delaney, Dan McKenzie, Jack Sinclair, Brodie Murdoch, Jack Lonie, Cam Shenton, Tom Curren, Lewis Pierce, Eli Templeton, Billy Longer, Josh Saunders, Nick Coughlan, Bailey Rice, Nathan Freeman, Nick O’Kearney, Jason Holmes.
Notable opposition players:
Angus Litherland, David Mirra, Marc Lock, Sam Iles, Jonathan O’Rourke, Blake Hardwick, Jack Fitzpatrick, Tim O’Brien, Kade Stewart, Alex Woodward, Ryan Schoenmakers.
Development League:
11am.
