The Box Hill Hawks venture out to Point Gellibrand for the first time since round one, 2018 \u2013 some 2,660 days ago \u2013 to take on the Seagulls in a potential September preview.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Who: Williamstown Past Five Meetings<\/p>\n 2024 Elimination Final: Box Hill 7.10 52 def. by Williamstown 11.14 80 A Little Bit of History<\/p>\n Played 47 (since 1996) \u2013 Box Hill 19, Williamstown 27, 1 draw<\/p>\n So, yeah, it\u2019s been a while since Box Hill rolled into DSV Stadium.<\/p>\n By way of context, the teams have only played each other five times in the seven years since they last squared off on the Seagulls\u2019 home deck, with one of those meetings being a preliminary final played at a neutral venue and another being an elimination final Box Hill won the right to host by virtue of a higher finish on the ladder.<\/p>\n The Hawks and Willy couldn\u2019t play each other in the abandoned 2020 season, didn\u2019t get to their scheduled fixture in the also abandoned 2021 season and weren\u2019t fixtured to play each other at all in 2022.<\/p>\n Ultimately, it all adds up to a quirky twist of fate which has resulted in one of the VFL\u2019s best rivalries in recent memory becoming somewhat dormant.<\/p>\n Since renewing hostilities in 2023, however, the teams have played out a trilogy of attritional and hard-fought arm wrestles \u2013 including, and it pains me to remember this, a disappointing elimination final just last year.<\/p>\n Williamstown were simply too good on the day and deservedly progressed to a semi-final, leaving a wasteful and somewhat stilted Box Hill to rue one which got away.<\/p>\n 14-points behind at half-time, early goals from Max Ramsden and Jack O\u2019Sullivan got the hosts to within two-points \u2013 but the Seagulls wouldn\u2019t be denied and kicked four unanswered majors to three-quarter-time to established a 31-point advantage with one to play.<\/p>\n The Hawks kicked three of the first four goals of the last term to give them a sniff, but as the clock kept ticking the greatest of great escapes looked less and less likely. Two Williamstown goals in time on iced the game and, sadly, Box Hill\u2019s season.<\/p>\n Brodie McLaughlin and Corey Ellison did the damage for the Seagulls, splitting seven goals on the day, while Finn Maginness lead all-comers on the ground with 31 touches.<\/p>\n When the teams battled just four weeks earlier it was the Hawks who started well, kicked out to a 27-point half-time lead and saw off a spirited and fast finishing Williamstown to nab a 22-point win.<\/p>\n Ellison was again a problem for Box Hill, kicking six goals in a lone hand for the Seagulls, while Harry Morrison recorded a game-high 33 touches and team-high three goals in a best afield display.<\/p>\n Williamstown were also too good when the teams butted heads in round 11, 2023, coming from eight-points down at three-quarter-time to claim a 14-point victory.<\/p>\n Morrison was again the Hawks\u2019 best, winning 31 touches, while Cooper Stephens was busy on his way to 25 disposals and two goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n But it was you-know-who who proved the difference late on. Corey Ellison kicked his second and third goals of the day late in the final quarter to give his side the lead and then consolidate it.<\/p>\n Nine-points up with 26-and-a-half minutes on the clock, current Hawk Corey Preston popped up to kick the sealer.\u00a0<\/p>\n Between 2013 and 2018 the Hawks and Williamstown contested a staggering four finals \u2013 the 2013 Qualifying Final, the 2014 Preliminary Final, the 2015 Grand Final and the 2018 Preliminary Final.<\/p>\n Box Hill would get the job done in three of these encounters and go on to win the flag after conquering Willy in both 2013 and 2018 \u2013 but the Grand Final defeat in 2015 still stings those in brown and gold. \u00a0<\/p>\n The Season So Far<\/p>\n Box Hill \u2013 played 14, won 12, lost two \u2013 first on the VFL ladder; form W, W, W, W, W<\/p>\n Williamstown \u2013 played 14, won nine, lost five \u2013 sixth on the VFL ladder; form W, W, W, W, L<\/p>\n The Hawks recorded a fifth win in succession last Saturday afternoon, defeating Essendon by 69-points at Box Hill City Oval to improve to 12-and-two on the season.<\/p>\n Box Hill are unbeaten since the round 10 loss to Collingwood, accounting for Frankston, Coburg, North Melbourne, Sandringham and, of course, the Bombers in the subsequent five match-ups to sit a game-and-a-half clear atop the VFL ladder.<\/p>\n Respectfully to the teams involved, the in-form Hawks would\u2019ve hoped to navigate that five match run at 100%, but as is always the case in footy you have to go out and get the job done.<\/p>\n Beyond winning the maximum 20 premiership points from this phase of the fixture, Box Hill were able to improve their percentage to a league-best 146.2 on the back of wins by 63, 38, 60, 44 and 69-points.<\/p>\n Perhaps most pleasing aspect of all would be the side\u2019s defensive solidarity. The Hawks\u2019 back six have conceded just 306 points in this five match run at an average of 61 points against per week.\u00a0<\/p>\n It was a hard cull this week! 20 down to five requires a number of decisions be made and a firm but fair decision making process. pic.twitter.com\/mrvgsbaghQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Box Hill Hawks (@BoxHillHawks) July 14, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n In fact, the Box Hill rearguard has allowed in excess of 80 points just three times in 2025 \u2013 and not since the round six loss to Richmond.<\/p>\n Williamstown, on the other hand, have recovered from a slow start to their campaign to put together one of the best runs of any team in season 2025.<\/p>\n Having gone one-and-four through the first five rounds of the year, the Seagulls peeled off a sensational eight wins on the spin to climb into the top six.<\/p>\n While the run came to an end at the hands of an inspired Northern Bullants last weekend, Justin Plapp\u2019s resurgent outfit have accounted for the second-placed Southport in round round six, the third-placed bulldogs in round eight and the fifth-placed Lions in round 11.<\/p>\n Having won eight of their last nine they\u2019ll be a great test on their home deck.\u00a0<\/p>\n Selection News<\/p>\n The Hawks have made six changes to team which defeated Essendon last weekend, re-gaining a clutch of proven talent at the VFL level.<\/p>\n Back into the mix for Zane Littlejohn and his match committee come dashing half-backs Changkuoth Jiath, Bodie Ryan and Seamus Mitchell, midfield class Cam Mackenzie and Kye Declase and front half hybrid Sam Butler \u2013 who has proven equally adept in an on-ball roll as he is in the forward 50.<\/p>\n In fact, the Box Hill rearguard has allowed in excess of 80 points just three times in 2025 \u2013 and not since the round six loss to Richmond.<\/p>\n Williamstown, on the other hand, have recovered from a slow start to their campaign to put together one of the best runs of any team in season 2025.<\/p>\n Having gone one-and-four through the first five rounds of the year, the Seagulls peeled off a sensational eight wins on the spin to climb into the top six.<\/p>\n While the run came to an end at the hands of an inspired Northern Bullants last weekend, Justin Plapp\u2019s resurgent outfit have accounted for the second-placed Southport in round round six, the third-placed bulldogs in round eight and the fifth-placed Lions in round 11.<\/p>\n Having won eight of their last nine they\u2019ll be a great test on their home deck.\u00a0<\/p>\n Selection News<\/p>\n The Hawks have made six changes to team which defeated Essendon last weekend, re-gaining a clutch of proven talent at the VFL level.<\/p>\n Back into the mix for Zane Littlejohn and his match committee come dashing half-backs Changkuoth Jiath, Bodie Ryan and Seamus Mitchell, midfield class Cam Mackenzie and Kye Declase and front half hybrid Sam Butler \u2013 who has proven equally adept in an on-ball roll as he is in the forward 50.<\/p>\n Half a dozen additions require as many omissions, obviously, so out of the line-up are the elevated duo of Mitch Lewis & Jack Scrimshaw, while the VFL-listed quartet of Lane Ward, Blake Simondson, Griff Julian and Jack Sammartino are the unlucky victims of a serious selection squeeze.\u00a0<\/p>\n One(s) To Watch<\/p>\n Ethan Stanley was in incredible touch early last weekend, winning 16 disposals and booting three long range goals to half-time in the win over the Bombers.<\/p>\n Sadly, the former Dockers flyer copped a knock early in the second half and was withdrawn as a precaution before he could add to his stat line.<\/p>\n Having trained well during the week he retained his place in the line-up and will look to pick up where he left off on Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n How To Follow<\/p>\n Match coverage will be provided via our social channels throughout the day, while a radio call will be available via our wonderful community partners at 3WBC 94.1FM<\/p>\n Where To Watch<\/p>\n You can catch the live stream via the VFL match centre<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Where: DSV Stadium, Willliamstown
When: Sunday, 2:05pm
TV\/Streaming: live stream available via the VFL Match Centre<\/a><\/p>\n
Round 18, 2024: Box Hill 13.12 90 def. Williamstown 10.8 68
Round 11, 2023: Box Hill 9.7 61 def. by Williamstown 11.10 76
Round 9, 2019: Box Hill 10.14 74 def. Williamstown 8.6 54
2018 Preliminary Final: Box Hill 13.13 91 def. Williamstown 13.12 90<\/p>\n