Warriors vs Williamstown Seagulls
Box Hill | Footy Rush 2026
by H
It was a day for it!
An early start at Box Hill, but an absolute cracker of a day for footy, sunshine and Women’s Footy Gather Round. The Warriors arrived ready to finish the Footy Rush season with a bang.
Things got off to a slightly questionable start, however, with Coach Sue flat on her back during the warm-up courtesy of Alfie. Always reassuring when the coach is horizontal before the first bounce. Thankfully, the morning steadily improved from there.
The Warriors were pumped, the numbers were topped up, and with a few Warriors also lending a hand — or a boot — to Williamstown, we were ready to roll.
And roll we did.
The game started with a bang, although the ball itself appeared to have other ideas. She was behaving less like a Sherrin and more like a bar of soap in the shower. Slippery as a greased pig, with several normally safe hands suddenly developing a mysterious aversion to actually holding onto the bloody thing.
But while the ball was doing its best impression of a wet fish, Alex was absolutely on fire.
Cracking marks, great ball movement and an absolute corker of a goal got the Warriors on the scoreboard and set the tone for a brilliant first quarter. The voices were calling, the ball was moving, and suddenly everyone appeared to have remembered that yes, we actually know how to play footy.
Kylie then put the finishing touches on a ripping first quarter with another great goal.
Warriors were cooking.
The second quarter arrived, the ball had apparently been allowed to dry off, and the Warriors were flowing. Some fantastic kick-mark passages of play developed along the boundaries, with the whole team getting involved.
Our defence was absolutely fantastic, but so were Willy. It became a proper arm wrestle, with both teams throwing everything at it and neither willing to give an inch.
Or a goal, apparently.
Both teams were kept goalless for the quarter, but there was plenty of footy to admire. The kind of footy that makes you think, bloody hell, we actually look like we know what we’re doing.
And then came the third.
While the lanes of the Eastern Freeway may have been closed for the day, the Warriors Fast Lanes were very much OPEN.
We were motoring.
The ball movement was fantastic, with the Warriors running, carrying and finding each other all over the ground. Susie decided that apparently everyone else was moving too slowly and turned on the jets — great run and carry, great chase, and a well-earned goal to cap off a superb passage of play.
By this stage, the Warriors were in full cruise control.
Well… relatively speaking.
The fourth quarter saw the team continue to play like absolute champions, with Kylie popping up for another goal and the whole team continuing to chase, tackle, shepherd, run and generally make life very difficult for Willy. The umpire was giving the “holding the ball” rule a good run for it’s money, but it was probably the best umpiring we have seen so far this season.
The Warriors kept their foot down right through to the final siren.
Unfortunately, Sandra “Happy Feet” Hoult decided to provide one final bit of drama, going down with a twisted ankle just before the siren.
Because apparently Box Hill wasn’t going to let us leave without collecting another victim.
The curse of Box Hill persists.
Across the ground, the Warriors were bloody brilliant.
Ren and Jen were rock solid as always combining fantastically throughout the game for some great defensive work and attacking play. Cathy was fierce, focussed and fully in control. Helen B took some great marks, laid some great kicks and was just everywhere. Alex had an absolute blinder. Kylie was dynamic as ever. Susie was superb. Coach Sue had a great run and took some cracking marks — proving that being flat on your back before the game is apparently an excellent warm-up strategy.
And Kirsty was solid, reliable, dependable and skillful as ever, showing us all exactly why she was named Footy Rush Player of the Year for 2026.
But there was one thing that stood out above everything else.
Every single Warriors player spent a quarter playing for Willy.
Every. Single. One.
No fuss. No hesitation. Just getting out there and making sure both teams had the numbers to play.
If that’s not what this game is about, then I don’t know what is.
A great game, played in the true spirit of the game, with both teams helping each other out, getting involved and having a bloody good time doing it.
A brilliant way to finish the Footy Rush season.
And finally…
The team song.
Best.
Version.
Yet.
Warriors 4.5 (29) def. Williamstown Seagulls 2.3 (15)
Goal-kicking legends:
Alex – 1 Kylie – 2 Susie – 1
What a season. What a team. What a bunch of absolute legends. 
Warriors vs Box Hill
Box Hill | Over 50s
by Grunta
The Match Committee was pretty excited going into the final round of the season. A great team on paper, a full bench and quality opposition. Plus the long-anticipated debut of our Monday night specialist Nick McLennan. Unable to take the field for the 50s until now due to Sunday faith commitments, the math finally worked and Nick could take the field against Box Hill.
Except for the tiny matter of registration, which with some calls to top brass, a Kings Counsel, the Supreme Court, the Federal Court, the United Nations, plus Col and Gez putting in a few well-received prayers Sunday morning, we got Nick registered with 5 minutes to go before start time.
That blessed us with a stunning half forward line of Nick, Martin and Clint, and plenty of tall timber all over the ground to run out a formidable Warriors team. We also welcomed Gez back to the 50s for his first game since surgery earlier in the year. But Box Hill are regular finals contenders, and with their own finals campaign on the line, their guys were desperate for the win.
It was tough from the start. Our midfield got the early jump and through Nick we got some forward entries, but when Box Hill did rebound their chunky forward was outmarking everyone. Only his poor kicking kept the score from being worse. Captain Col was leading from the front and rewarded with a long range goal in the first quarter. But by half time Box Hill was well and truly away, 7.8 to 1.3, with their unstoppable full forward bagging 6 goals (and I reckon 6 points too). After a strong performance in the middle, we lost Matty D to a birthday at half time.
At the start of the second half, having spent some time on the bench in the first, I was given the job on Box Hill’s rampaging full forward. He’s a 100kg gorilla, I’m a 75kg piglet. Makes sense. And it did, sort of… the first time the ball came in, I managed to get a spoil, we got the ball under control and when I turned around their full forward was on the ground saying “I think my leg’s broken.” Off he went. Shutdown complete. Six goals v everybody else, no goals v Grunta. So maybe it was Bruiser who put him out of the game (fairly), but I’m banking it. I’ll make my own poster, thanks.
In the second half, the Warriors were a whole lot more competitive aerially and at ground level. Clint and Nick roaming the outside was a sight to behold, Ari was ferocious in the middle and Bruiser was a rock across defence. But errors cost us dearly, and turnovers were punished by the well-drilled Box Hill brigade. We took some good marks in the forward 50 without making the most of our chances. Clint kicked truly in the third and fourth to get us to three goals for the game. Nick’s debut game was impressive. Kenny dazzled in defence, including himself at times. Scotty was mesmerising in the final term, impossible to catch as he weaved through stunned Box Hill backmen. Turnip was terrific, taking some important marks and guys like Marko, Fitzy and Goldy showed their determination to apply pressure and make Box Hill earn it. But with more experience and more to play for, Box Hill comfortably got the job done despite a few injuries.
Sportsbet was paying $622 for the following multi:
- Car park to be full and ground to be hard
- Kenny to take more spins than a ballerina
- Col to get a yellow card (got nervous as it didn’t come until late in the fourth)
- Carbo to get a 2 year deal after a great season
Got everything except the last, sadly. Carbo announced in the change rooms this would be it for him as a Warrior. He has been a fantastic person to have at the club, a great mentor for me, was captain in my first year and has had an excellent season across 50s and 55s, playing a demanding role in the ruck. Shit. Carbo, you’ll be greatly missed and thanks for every effort you’ve put in.
That is officially a wrap for season 2026 for the Over 50s, with our one win coming in Round 1 at a time when the season showed much promise. Thanks to all who played, and especially to our coach Kano who has grown his leadership and strength throughout the season. Special thanks to the many helpers and supporters who worked the bench, ran water, umpired, scored, brought lollies and made the whole machine happen. On we march to season 2027.
Final Score
Box Hill 14.15.99, Warriors 3.6.24
Goals
Clint 2
Col
Warriors vs Box Hill North
Box Hill | Over 35s
by Bomber and Claude
Some games are about the scoreboard. Ours aren’t.
Round 10 against Box Hill was Junior’s last game for the Eastern Warriors (until Round 2 next year when a desperate coach drags him out of retirement), and from the first bounce to the final siren it had a feeling about it – the kind that makes you glad you turned up, regardless of the result.
For the first time in a while, we took the field with some real bodies. Kimmy, Harley, Jamie and Luke were all back in the mix, and some mystery man who surname rhymes with flappers – legend that he is – pulled the boots on and cracked in hard from start to finish. Credit also to Box Hill, who played in terrific spirit throughout and lent us four players to even the sides up. All four gave everything.
Box Hill were strong and ran out deserving winners, but there were moments that made the day.
Mystery man got us going, putting through our first goal on the run – exactly what you want from a bloke who’s come back to help out. Then yours truly (Bomber) took a mark and slotted his first for the season. Quietly pleased about that one. 
Junior? He nailed a certain goal in the first quarter, launching a booming long-range shot that even looking at it from space you could tell it crossed the line between the posts. But as Junior was celebrating and being mobbed by teammates, the umpire cruelly called a point. Total bullshit.
But then came the last minute. And the script that nobody could have written.
With time nearly up, Junior took a mark from a kick that had travelled – and I’m going to be precise here – approximately 7.25 metres. The crowd went wild. And then the 25-metre penalty. And then Junior, cool as you like, walking back and kicking a goal after the siren.
Every footy-loving boy’s dream. A goal. After the siren. In his last game. To reduce the loss to under 100 points.
The script could not have been written any better. The place erupted. It was the kind of moment that reminds you why we do this.
It’s hard to put into words what Junior has meant to this club. From day one he has been a first-class leader – on the field and off it, in the rooms, at training, in everything the Warriors are trying to build. The captaincy suited him because he was already doing the job before anyone gave him the title.
Today had a bit of sadness underneath the laughter and the cheers, and that’s because we know he won’t be lining up with us next season until at least Round 2 when the bag of cash comes out. The Warriors are a better club for having had him, and he will be genuinely missed by every person at the club.
Well done to all who pulled on the jersey for the Warriors 35s this year, Another tough season but a great group of united players has emerged, with a mix of fresh players and old heads, and that has been great to see.
Final Score
Box Hill 18.10.118, Warriors 3.4.22
Goals
Junior 2
Bomber
