Hawthorn's VFL affiliate Box Hill sent an ominous message to the competition to suggest predictions of a decline are premature after an impressive 37-point win over fancies Sandringham at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday.
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On a day where Hawthorn's three AFL premiership cups were showcased at the president's luncheon, Box Hill, a VFL powerhouse who has been involved in the past three grand finals of their own, made a statement against the team they defeated by seven-points in a thrilling preliminary final last season.
Certainly, this was a stunning turn-around given they had been thrashed by the Zebras by 147-points – albeit with a weakened line-up - in a practice match just two weeks ago.
Box Hill, however, proved that they punch a weight above Sandringham when it comes to the season proper. The Zebras never really challenged. Daniel Howe's second goal right on the half-time siren gave the Hawks a 31-point buffer.
And there after, there was a capitulation that perhaps could have been worse had the Hawks really put the foot down.
As wonderful that the Hawks looked, they still have Mitch O'Donnell, Ayden Kennedy and Liam Tobin to return for next week's grand final rematch against Williamstown.
Kaiden Brand, who is the mix to make his AFL debut with Hawthorn given that he has been named as emergency over the past two weeks, was again handy in defence.
He said he was just content to be back playing after suffering a shoulder injury last season.
"It's definitely good to be back out here. Obviously it was a long 12 months last year, I'm just happy to be back out here with the boys and getting a few kicks and getting a win," Brand said.
Sandringham had Blake Acres (34 disposals) and Eli Templeton (30 touches) perform amicably, but the majority appeared flat for the majority of the match. Labelled as flag favourites by many in VFL circles, the Zebras themselves have huge expectations in their final season aligned to St Kilda.
Werribee kicked 10 of the last 11 goals of the match to over-run Essendon to win by 18-points at Windy Hill on Saturday.
Conor McKenna had kicked third of the match at the six minute mark of the third term to give the Bombers a game-high 32-point lead.
That was before a barnstorming five consecutive goals by the Tigers, kick-started by Mason Wood's third of the match.
Wood was brilliant. He finished with 36 possessions to put his hand up for a senior recall for the Roos next week.
Isaac Conway had reduced the deficit to five-points at the last change and it didn't take long for the Tigers to hit the lead. Robin Nahas' third of the match did the job at the two minute mark of the final term.
It wasn't until the new Bomber Sam Grimley, who has been the leading VFL goalkicker for the past two seasons, made amends for his missed sitter in front of goal just minutes earlier, that ended a run of eight unanswered Tiger goals.
But goals to Conway and Majak Daw sealed the match as the Tigers won, 16.6 (102) to 12.12. (84). Nahas finished with four goals as he pressed for a senior recall, alongside Wood and Farren Ray (29 disposals).
Essendon's Jayden Laverde suffered an injury late in the final term, but is believed to be minor.
North Ballarat, newly-stand-alone this season, upset Coburg to win by six-points at Coburg City Oval, 12.9 (81) to 11.9 (75).
VFL Sunday
Footscray v Northern Blues, Whitten Oval, 11am
Port Melbourne v Collingwood, North Port Oval, 11:40am
Williamstown v Richmond, Burbank Oval, 2pm
