Boronia Hawks have achieved another statement win.
The ladder-leading Hawks brushed aside yet another flag rival in a 12.13 (85) to 8.6 (54) victory over the second-placed Waverley Blues in the Eastern league’s Division 2 on Saturday 1 July to remain two games clear in first.
The result marked Boronia’s fifth consecutive win, lifting the side to an 11-1 record, still with its only loss against Ringwood by a point in Round 7.
Leading by 10 points at half-time on 1 July the Hawks pulled away in the third term, with four goals to one, and didn’t look back.
Boronia senior coach Matt Clark said it was his side’s running game and outside ball-movement, while putting up its highest tackle-count for the year in the third quarter that brought new momentum.
“It’s a pretty intimidating spot at Mt Waverley Reserve, and we were aware they had a couple out, as we did too.
“But they came to play and really took it to us early, just their pressure and ball-movement was really good so we had to be at our best,” he said.
He said he told his guys to embrace it, because this is what’s going to bring out the best or worst in them.
“I thought our running game was as good as it’d been all year in the third quarter, both defensively and offensively,” he said.
It’s been some season for the Hawks, accounting for a finals-bound Heathmont outfit to the tune of 66 points before their victory against Waverley.
Mr Clark said there had been an emphasis on bringing a “finals” brand of footy.
“We’ve been working in blocks all year and we knew where Heathmont were at the time, having only dropped two games for the year.
“At the same time, the Waverley Blues away, it was the first time a lot of our guys had played at that ground so it was going to be a bit unfamiliar and we’ve been really trying to focus on bringing what we consider a finals-type brand of footy and pressure to the game.
“We’ve just brought enormous heat,” he said.
Mitch Mellis turned on a best-on-ground display through the midfield on Saturday while spearhead Ben Robertson kicked four goals – lifting his season-total to 41 from 12 games.
Mr Clark said Mellis’ ability to get two or three touches in a row was really good but I thought at stoppages he had a player sitting on him all day.
“He’s just a hard person to play on, he just doesn’t sit still.
“I thought the people around him really worked with him to make sure he wasn’t on his own with the tag.
“It brought Damon Fairchild into the game, and (Mellis’ game) was as hard a running game as you’ll see,” he said.
Last weekend Boronia hosted East Burwood, taking on yet another mighty defeat over the visiting side in a 13.12 (90) to 4.6 (30) victory.
Goal kickers of the match for the Hawks included B. Robertson 4, N. Hare 3, M. Brasher, M. Mellis, L. Hannon, J. Lake, J. Bolton, M. Jelo, with J. Bolton, M. Brasher, M. Mellis, N. Jackson, D. Fairchild, B. Robertson all named best players of the match.
Boronia Hawks continue to sit top of the Div 2 table boasting 12 wins to one loss, and will take on Knox this weekend in hopes of continuing their winning streak.
