Hawthorn draft picks star as Box Hill smashes Coburg Sam Landsberger
Herald Sun
April 24, 2011 9:16PM SEPTEMBER is more than four months away, but a winless Box Hill declared yesterday's VFL battle against Coburg a mini-final.
And it prevailed.
After a pair of losses the Hawks, led by Hawthorn-listed draftees Isaac Smith and Paul Puopolo, won every quarter on their way to an easy 21.22 (148) to 11.6 (72) victory at Box Hill City Oval.
Puopolo pocketed the medal for best afield and set up the win with some crafty playmaking in the first term, when he gathered 10 disposals.
Box Hill coach Damian Carroll moved the 23-year-old, who has been knocking on the AFL door every week, into the forward line in the final term in a further bid to impress Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson.
The SANFL recruit finished with 27 touches and four clearances. Smith, who was snared with the Hawks' first pick in last year's draft, played his best match since the 2010 VFL preliminary final for North Ballarat.
The Stephen Hill-type capped a 25-possession game with a trademark goal on the run from 55m in the final term and was quick to point out his improved defensive efforts to Carroll after the match.
"I'm sure he'll get an opportunity. He's just got to keep playing well," Carroll said.
Coburg lost Richmond trio Shane Tuck, Jeromey Webberley and Matt Dea before the bounce, along with assistant coach Sam Power.
Coach Adam Potter then lost AFL duo Daniel Connors (hamstring tightness) and Will Thursfield (calf) before half-time, but both are expected to return next week.
Potter lamented his side's turnovers and blasted his troops for conceding eight final-term goals when the game was lost.
Richmond ruckman Andrew Browne (21 disposals, 17 hitouts) was the sole highlight.
Hawthorn rookie Luke Breust's AFL hopes again swelled.
After four touches in the first half, the livewire finished with five goals.
"He reminds me of the Collingwood small types, in that things happen when he's around the footy," Carroll said.
Tom Schneider, a Hawthorn rookie from the TAC Cup, led the disposal count with 28, while tough teenager Mitch Hallahan produced a promising senior return from an ankle injury.
Tiger Jayden Post is spoilt by Box Hill's Jarrad Boumann Picture: George Salpigtidis Source: Herald Sun http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/hawthorn-draft-picks-star-as-box-hill-smashes-coburg/story-e6frf9jf-1226044188966
