Images: Anita Milas
Coach: Bob McGuinness
2016 finish: 6th
Summary: It was a tale of two halves last season as Box Hill combined a slow start with a strong finish to defeat a number of top-four sides, the type of momentum they’ll look to carry into 2017.
Ins: Nikolina Bucalo (NTC), Hayley Richmond (NTC), Olivia Cowan (NTC), Shelby Green (Bulleen Lions), Ellen Turner (Boroondara Eagles), Ebru Efe, Alyssa Dall’oste
Outs: Emily Shields (Bulleen Lions), Jamie Williams (Alamein FC)
Re-signed: Melanie Camilleri, Kristina Hall, Maren Heller, Georgia Koutrouvelis, Madelaine Richardson, Emma Littlewood, Emma Hubbard, Hayley Guerts, Kate Fotopoulos, Maggie Eudes, Jade Feakes, Charlotte McGilp, Elaina Vatcky, Ellen Wines, Maia Heysen
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Player Q&A: Melanie Camilleri
How’s pre-season going? Where have you been with the team?
Pre-season has been good, we had a our first weekend away as a new squad in Albury a couple of weeks ago which was a good test for us in tough conditions. We have been continually building and growing as a team as we have some new recruits and learning to play alongside one another. It’s been hard work but it is really exciting for us as a group to get the season off to a good start!
What have the club’s pre-season results been?
We have more so been working on our structure and game fitness throughout our pre-season games not so much the results. As long as we have built on our previous game then we are happy. In saying that we have had some wins and some losses. We have created good passages of play and had a focus to work on when we get back on the pitch to iron out some creases and prepare us for the games that matter.
How are the new signings settling in?
They’ve settled in quite quickly and comfortably and we couldn’t be happier to have them a part of the team this year. I can’t wait to see them in action come first round!
Who are the Box Hill players to watch in 2017 (new or existing) and why?
Kristina Hall finished equal points for the Gold Medal count last year which is just a testament to her hard work on the pitch!
I’m excited to see our newbies get in their element and shine through as well!
Who are the some of the bigger characters off the pitch and why?
We have an awesome group of girls at Box Hill we are one team there are no cliques it’s so awesome. We have some big characters and some quiet ones but we all balance each other out and get along so well! Kristina definitely is the loudest (and most annoying) but we wouldn’t change her (most of the time).
How’s Bob McGuinness been preparing the squad?
Bobby has always been professional about the way he approaches a new season. We have had a really strong pre-season the past couple of months, training has been tough but fun. We have had a lot of practice matches, training sessions and bonding off the field and I think we are more than ready for the season to commence.
Which team/player are you most looking forward to facing this year?
Probably South Melbourne, just because it’s a new team to the competition and I’ve seen they have signed some quality players. New faces and dynamics to the comp allow us to go in not knowing much about them which will allow us to just focus on our game plan. By no means will it be an easy game but we are definitely up for the challenge and will leave it all on the park come first round!
Which opposition club(s) have impressed you most in pre-season?
I haven’t really been able to see many teams in action for this new season but I did see Calder in the Community Shield game and they were quite impressive.
What are the expectations/objectives in 2017?
Last year we had a slow start to the season which cost us later on down the track. This year we are hoping to kick off where we finished 2016 and start the season a lot stronger than we did last, continually build as a team and play some good football!
What’s one headline we may see about Box Hill this season?
‘The underdog finishes on top!’