VFLW Match Report: Round 7 vs Box Hill Hawks
29/06/2026
A thrilling 14-point win over the Box Hill Hawks saw the Sandringham Zebras claim their third win of the season in a gusty and contested game.
A contested and evenly spread opening term saw our pressure, relentless ball movement and aerial dominance prove decisive, finishing with 67 marks to Box Hill’s 43.
We started strongly, bringing intensity from the opening bounce. Sunday Hollingsworth (11 tackles and 12 disposals) set the tone early with brilliant tackles, putting immense pressure on Box Hill.
Our first breakthrough of the day came from Zoe Barbakos, capitalising on Sophie Locke’s fast footwork, kicking the first major of the day.
Box Hill responded with another major shortly after, applying attacking pressure on our backline. The Hawks’ late response meant both sides went into the first break with a goal each, showcasing the high-pressure opening term.
Ali Hynes (10 intercepts) and Erin Woodford (eight intercepts) stood strong down back, intercepting and bringing the ball to ground, limiting Box Hill’s effectiveness in their forward 50.
The second quarter saw us begin to gain momentum and control of the contest. Ava Bibby (seven marks and three contested marks) was exceptional, acting as a brick wall and halting any entry Box Hill tried to make inside their forward 50.
Locke continued to do Locke things, breaking tackles and opening the field up with her hard, gritty running, enabling us to move the ball forward at speed. Our control eventually paid off at the 15-minute mark of the second term, with Charlotte Hewitson and Chloe Saultry linking up with a kick inside 50 and Saultry converting for her first goal of the day.
Our pressure and control saw us take a nine-point lead heading into the main break.
We took off right where we finished in the second term. Barbakos was electric, taking marks, picking up loose balls and delivering wonders into the forward 50. Finally seeking a reward for all her relentless pressure and hard work, Barbakos stayed alive after a Bibby ball fell just short of the goal line and kicked her second of the day, applying more scoreboard pressure.
Our link-up play from the defensive half of the ground into our forward half was a highlight of the game. Jessie Jarvis (nine disposals and four tackles) on debut provided speed along the wing. Jarvis, Sophie Casey and Issy Hartog combined in clean chains, slicing through Box Hill’s defence.
Our defensive efforts continued with Hartog claiming a brilliant smother on the line, helping keep Box Hill to just one major in the third quarter.
Saultry slotted her second of the day after a free kick in the forward 50, giving us valuable scoreboard separation.
Alannah Fyfe (four intercepts) helped minimise the Hawks’ impact with an important intercept mark in the late stages of the third quarter, which saw us go into the final quarter with an 18-point lead.
The final quarter began as a shootout. Within the first minute, Emma Stuber kicked truly to extend the lead to a four-goal buffer. Box Hill then began to surge, kicking three straight goals and minimising the margin to just one major.
Minutes later, Hollingsworth kicked a ripper goal on the run to extend the lead to 12-points. Despite Box Hill’s late surge, we were able to hold strong down back despite their repeated entries inside the forward 50.
Finishing with 36 inside 50's to Box Hill’s 24 proved very beneficial in the end.
The 14-point win was built on relentless pressure, consistency and composure. After the last few games not going our way, it was great to see the performance displayed and so many positives to continue building on heading into the bye and latter end of the season.
Scores:
Sandringham Zebras 1.0, 2.4, 4.8, 6.10 (46)
Box Hill Hawks 1.0, 1.1, 2.2, 5.2 (32)
Goals: Saultry 2, Barbakos 2, Stuber, Hollingsworth
Disposals: Barbakos 24, Hartog 20, Fyfe 19, Taylor 16
Photos: Peter Hinds and Courtney Banks
Written by Sophie Pittard - Sandringham FC Media