A YOUNG but extremely talented Hawks outfit will welcome Collingwood to Box Hill City Oval tomorrow as Round 10 of the VFL Women’s kicks off. The second placed Hawks take on an in-form Magpies outfit who have been claiming some big scalps of late.

FORM

Box Hill sits second with seven wins from nine game and a healthy percentage of 163.8. The Hawks defeated the winless Casey Demons in a tighter-than-expected 12-point contest to make it four consecutive wins. Their last loss came in Round 5 against their opponents tomorrow in Collingwood when the Magpies got up, 4.3 (27) to 3.7 (25). Heading into that match, the Magpies were 1-3 on the season, but have since found their groove winning five consecutive games and are now inside the top six and just four points and percentage off top spot.

TEAMS

Box Hill:

B: A. Embelton (24) – M. Van Berkel (6)
HB: S. Lane (37) – M. Bell (39) – E. Juneja (23)
C: H. Griffiths (13) – R.Dillon (7) – A. Cariss-Brett (4)
HF: S. Stevenson (5) – A. Prosser-Shaw (21) – A. Vicino (9)
F: G. Collingwood (10) – N. Exon (19)
R: P.Price (27) – O.Fogarty (2) – I.Baldwin (12)
INT: B.Neaves (25) – E.Stilve (22) – R.Murdoch (34) – T.Cattle (3) – J.Matin (18)

Collingwood:

B: T. Henry (58) – L. Leighton (71)
HB: E. McKinnon (43) – D. Carbone (45) – A. Muir (56)
C: C. Brewer (40) – K. Lennox (47) – C. Jones (53)
HF: A. Peck (50) – T. Sanger (62) – Z. McCurdy (70)
F: M. Eastman (57) – M. Bourne (75)
R: B. Clarke (55) – L. Williamson (72) – J. Ramsdale (51)
INT: J. Ivey (33) – T. Fellows (73) – L. Szigeti (63) – M. Lang (76) – S. de Castella (74)

CHANGES

Box Hill has brought in three over-afters for the clash all of whom have played at last year’s AFLW Under 18 Championships. The most intriguing is that of Abbey Vicino who has made the move from Collingwood to don the brown and gold. She joins a couple of past Allies representatives in Emma Juneja (Sydney University/Swans Academy) and Amelie Prosser-Shaw (East Coast Eagles/Giants Academy) in the side.

Collingwood has also brought in a former Allies representative in the hard-running Sophia de Castella. She is the daughter of former marathon runner and dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist Robert.

DRAFT PROSPECTS

The Hawks have a number of standout players and from a youth perspective have no shortage of those who should be in the mix for AFLW clubs to consider. The three inclusions alone are a good start with Juneja a great aerial player and fantastic defensive runner, while Prosser-Shaw can play on all three lines with some explosive speed. Vicino adds defensive pressure and smarts usually in the front half of the ground.

They will team up with the likes of in-form midfielder Isla Baldwin who has been among the top performers in the VFL Women’s this season. She will again provide plenty of toughness around the ball, with Olivia Fogarty adding spark to the midfield. Providing elite athleticism are former Eastern Ranges forward/midfielder Stasia Stevenson and ex-Oakleigh Chargers wing Amy Cariss-Brett who can stretch the field with their run.

Collingwood has a more experienced side in terms of ex-AFLW players, but former National Academy member Millie Lang is a strong marking player who can do a job, while Charlotte Brewer adds explosive pace to the outside. Current-listed Stingray Tahlia Sanger is having a phenomenal season and expect her to largely just remain at VFLW level given how well she is playing, while athletic Gippsland Power listed utility Lilly Leighton has been named in defence for the clash.

PREDICTION

The match looks like a ripping contest with so much talent on both sides, and each team is in fantastic form. The home ground advantage and inclusions of the three young guns tips it in Box Hill’s favour, though it could go either way. The midfield battle will be fascinating to watch.

ROUND 10 FIXTURE

Saturday, June 28:

Williamstown vs. North Melbourne Werribee @ DSV Stadium, 10:05am
Darebin Falcons vs. Sandringham Zebras @ Genis Steel Oval, 10:35am
Essendon vs. Casey Demons @ Windy Hill, 11:05am
Box Hill Hawks vs. Collingwood @ Box Hill City Oval, 11:35am
Carlton vs. Port Melbourne @ Ikon Park, 12:35am
Geelong vs. Western Bulldogs @ Deakin University, 1:05pm