Review Round 21, 2025: Casey Demons v Box Hill Hawks, 17 August 2025, 1.05pm @ Casey Fields

[Dixie Flatline]

Box Hill came back to earth with a bump last weekend against the Footscray Bulldogs in their quest to finish minor premiers for the 2025 VFL season. Fortunately for Box Hill, they are guaranteed a top-two finish and home ground advantage in the finals, but if they want to finish on top of the ladder, they will need to defeat the Demons on their home deck. For their part, the Demons are locked into making the top ten, but they could still finish as high as fifth on the ladder with a win over Box Hill and results in other games going their way, while a loss could consign the Demons to the wild card round (they could finish as low as ninth on the ladder). With the Demons boasting a percentage of 135.5%, the Hawks cannot afford to take the Demons lightly if they want to finish on top of the ladder after the home & away season.

Box Hill was never really in the game last weekend. After kicking the first goal of the game, the Hawks allowed Footscray to kick the next five goals unanswered, before Box Hill finally kicked its second goal mid-way through the second quarter. But the Hawks were inaccurate in front of goal, kicking 1.7.13 in the second quarter to fritter away any chance of making a comeback, and when Footscray kicked the first two goals of the third quarter, the contest was pretty much over.

Sam Butler put his name in the frame for a call-up to the senior team with 27 disposals and five tackles, while Jai Serong did his chances no harm, picking up 26 disposals. Cam Mackenzie also had 26 disposals for Box Hill, and Seamus Mitchell had 25. Ben Cavarra

25

Ben Cavarra

Age

29

Ht

173cm

Wt

72kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

3.0

1star

K

2.0

1star

HB

1.0

1star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.0

3star

G

1.0

4star

D

3.0

1star

K

2.0

1star

HB

1.0

1star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.0

2star

G

1.0

4star

D

3.0

1star

K

2.0

1star

HB

1.0

2star

M

1.0

1star

T

1.0

3star

G

1.0

4star

kicked three goals for Box Hill, and Billy Hicks was the only other multiple goalscorer for Box Hill, with two. Jasper Scaife will hope that his form in front of goals returns, after he kicked 0.3 from 10 disposals, while Lachy Dovaston kicked 1.3 for Box Hill.

Teams to come.

 

[stemline]

Frost and Anderson good ins. While I didn't see much of last week's game, every other time I've seen Simondson play I like what I see. Perhaps unlucky to be dropped again? May still play of course.

Additions: S. Frost, C. Anderson, S. Durdin, T. Farrer (NEW)

Omissions: B. Hicks, D. Wood, B. Simondson, L. Dovaston

Squad: 7. N Reeves, 8. S Frost, 26. B Ryan, 27. W McCabe, 28. C Mackenzie, 29. J Serong, 30. S Butler, 32. C Anderson, 36. J Blanck, 38. M Ramsden, 39. J Scaife, 40. S Mitchell, 41. M Hill, 42. B Macdonald, 44. H Hustwaite, 50. S Durdin, 52. B Cavarra, 54. L Ward, 58. T Bianco, 62. S Horner, 65. E Stanley, 70. J Arundell, 76. T Farrer

Emergencies: 51. N Philactides, 63. B Hicks, 67. J Sammartino, 68. D Wood, 74. B Simondson, 80. W Kellar

 

[suedehead]

Is there any radio coverage to stream for this game?

 

[The Jet From Poowong]

Is there any radio coverage to stream for this game?

Yes there will be a stream as with every VFL game
Check this link tomorrow before the game commences

AFL - News, Fixtures, Scores & Results - AFL.com.au

Australian Football League. All the latest AFL news, video, results and information

www.afl.com.au

 

[TheFourPillars]

Frost and Anderson good ins. While I didn't see much of last week's game, every other time I've seen Simondson play I like what I see. Perhaps unlucky to be dropped again? May still play of course.

Additions: S. Frost, C. Anderson, S. Durdin, T. Farrer (NEW)

Omissions: B. Hicks, D. Wood, B. Simondson, L. Dovaston

Squad: 7. N Reeves, 8. S Frost, 26. B Ryan, 27. W McCabe, 28. C Mackenzie, 29. J Serong, 30. S Butler, 32. C Anderson, 36. J Blanck, 38. M Ramsden, 39. J Scaife, 40. S Mitchell, 41. M Hill, 42. B Macdonald, 44. H Hustwaite, 50. S Durdin, 52. B Cavarra, 54. L Ward, 58. T Bianco, 62. S Horner, 65. E Stanley, 70. J Arundell, 76. T Farrer

Emergencies: 51. N Philactides, 63. B Hicks, 67. J Sammartino, 68. D Wood, 74. B Simondson, 80. W Kellar

We missed Cody last week and glad to see Frosty back

 

[tommyk72]

If we're serious about going deep into finals we win this.

 

[caseman22]

CASEY DEMONS vs BOX HILL HAWKS​

Sunday 17 August, 1:05pm, Casey Demons

CASEY DEMONS
B: D. Smith (54), J. Adams (26), T. Freeman (67)
HB: R. Bonner (52), T. Fullarton (33), R. Baldi (56)
C: K. Brown (41), J. Billings (14), T. Woewodin (40)
HF: R. Mentha Jnr (39), A. Johnson (42), M. Hardie (55)
F: C. Spargo (9), M. Jefferson (21), L. Kentfield (44)
R: T. Campbell (29), K. Tholstrup (12), B. Laurie (16)
INT: A. Lual (74), T. Edwards (58), W. Verrall (28), T. Sinnema (34), P. Cross (64)

23rd Player: T. Sinnema (34)
EMG: M. Kirkwood-Scott (51), B. Laplanche (68), J. Behnk (77), J. Craven (75)

IN: J. Adams, T. Edwards, T. Sinnema
OUT: J. Henderson (injured), W. Duursma (Gippsland Power), K. White (unavailable)
NEW: Toby Sinnema, 18, 180cm, Dandenong Stingrays/Devon Meadows

BOX HILL HAWKS
B: S. Mitchell (40), S. Durdin (50), J. Blanck (36)
HB: B. Macdonald (42), W. McCabe (27), S. Horner (62)
C: C. Anderson (32), T. Bianco (58), M. Hill (41)
HF: C. Mackenzie (28), N. Reeves (7), S. Frost (8)
F: J. Serong (29), J. Scaife (39), B. Ryan (26)
R: M. Ramsden (38), H. Hustwaite (44), S. Butler (30)
INT: B. Cavarra (52), L. Ward (54), E. Stanley (65), J. Arundell (70), T. Farrer (76)
23rd Player: T. Farrer (76)
EMG: D. Wood (68), B. Hicks (63), W. Kellar (80), N. Philactides (51), J. Sammartino (67), B. Simondson (74), B. McCormack (79)

IN: C. Anderson, S. Durdin, T. Farrer, S. Frost
OUT: L. Dovaston (Eastern Ranges), B. Hicks, B. Simondson, D. Wood (omitted)
NEW: Tom Farrer, 19, 182cm, Old Scotch

Head-to-head: Casey Demons 37-3; At Casey Fields: Casey Demons 8-4; Streak: Box Hill Hawks 1; Last time: Casey Demons 6.10 (46) def by Box Hill Hawks 12.15 (87) – Round 1, 2024, Casey Fields

 

[caseman22]

Good to see Durdin named in defense with Mraz out and a real big opportunity for McCabe at CHB - i feel like he has been played out of position for most of the year so hoping familiarity turns his form around.

Just need to get the job done to lock up top spot.

 

[Roger Rogerson]

Last week was the weakest side we have fielded for quite a while. A couple of quality additions this week.

Would be interested to know who at AFL level can play VFL finals? Would have thought Finn would have qualified before his injury. CJ?

 

[VandoHawk]

Very average start.

Our backline has been very shaky and our midfield has been devoid of pressure.

 

[VandoHawk]

Stanley kicks our first, an absolute bomb from 50.

 

[VandoHawk]

Some elite ball movement through the middle, courtesy of Seamus Mitchell, sees us hit Scaife on the lead. It was a great kick by Lane Ward.

We lead by 5.

 

[VandoHawk]

A quality centre clearance from Hustwaite sees Scaife take another leading mark and kick his second.

Scaife has taken 4 marks and kicked 2 goals.

 

[Baz_hawk]

Really hope we resign Scaife, another preseason just to up his fitness and agility and he could be a player for us. Always one of the difficult things being a midseason recruit is that you get lumped into the 2 years in the system group despite missing out on an entire preseason.

 

[VandoHawk]

Some great play from Stanley and Horner who brush away multiple opponents to find their way through traffic.

McCabe (playing on a wing) drifts forward and rag dolls his opponent 1v1 to take the mark and kick the goal.

 

[Dewnior]

McCabe looks better as a forward and will probably get more opportunities there

 

[brew]

Loved seeing that from McCabe!

 

[Baz_hawk]

McCabe as a wingman would be a weapon for us. He's had some great defensive moments and also pushed forward and taken a strong contested mark. Could be a Curtain like player for us with another preseason under his belt.

 

[VandoHawk]

QT. Casey 1.2. 8 trail Box Hill 4.1. 25

It was a poor start before Box Hill lifted. I have been rather impressed with our defensive efforts.

Hustwaite has been a juggernaut at clearance.
Butler's workrate around the ground is noticeable.
Blanck was fantastic.
Serong/Frost/Ryan all had strong defensive moments.
Scaife has been very effective with his touches.
McCabe looking lively on a wing.

 

[VandoHawk]

Anderson didn't play the first quarter but is immediately noticeable with two clearances

 

[cs61]

Anderson didn't play the first quarter but is immediately noticeable with two clearances

Got big hopes for this guy next year.

 

[Dewnior]

These umpires have nfi

 

[VandoHawk]

Crikey some very terrible decisions going against us have led to two Casey goals.

Their last one was a contest where the umpire started to signal for a ball up, our players stopped, the Casey player got a handball out and the umpire called play on.

 

[VandoHawk]

Against the run of play, we manage to get an outnumber forward and Ramsden keeps his feet. He handballs to Bianco who dribbles a goal.

Blanck and Frost took some very nice intercept marks when Casey were pressing.

 

[VandoHawk]

I like Sam Durdin

38

Sam Durdin

Age

29

Ht

199cm

Wt

100kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.7

2star

K

6.2

2star

HB

3.5

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

1.7

4star

No current season stats available

D

11.2

3star

K

7.4

3star

HB

3.8

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.6

4star

but choosing to kick into the corridor when there are four Demons players and one Box Hill player is a brave choice. Reminded me of some of our turnovers in the seniors.