Sandringham’s debut appearance at the MCG hasn’t gone to script, with Box Hill claiming its first win of the season by a comprehensive 43 points on Sunday afternoon.

The Zebras’ inaccuracy – coupled with the Hawks’ cleanliness and pressure – rendered them goalless in the opening half, leaving the brown and gold to skip towards a 15.9 (99) to 7.14 (56) win without much trouble.

Tom Campbell (31 hit-outs, 20 disposals, nine clearances) and Dean Kent (22 disposals, two goals) were among the Saints’ best, while Jack Bytel finished with 22 touches and a goal after revving up after half-time. Mitch Owens also had 22 disposals to his name by the final siren, while Leo Connolly and Tom Highmore had 15 apiece.

The Hawks had no shortage of influential players. Hawthorn veteran Liam Shiels led the charge with 27 possessions, Mason De Wit and Ned Long were strong throughout, while Ben Cavarra and James Parsons combined for seven goals and 31 disposals.

Sandringham dominated the clearances 24-40, but were unable to contain Box Hill’s weight of uncontested possession and subsequent scoreboard ascendancy. The Hawks had just the one additional inside-50 to their name, but operated far cleaner inside the arc to extend their lead.

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Both sides took time initially to adjust to the MCG’s wide expanses, but the Hawks found comfort in their new nest after the opening minutes.

Box Hill had no issues in picking off Sandringham passes or finding space of their own forward of the ball, leaving the Zebras to play catch-up for most of the afternoon.

The visitors started well with four scoring shots from their first five forward entries, but it took until the third term for them to register their first major score of the day.

A much-improved second half yielded all seven of Sandringham’s goals for the afternoon, with multiples from Kent and Goy Lok adding to singles from Max Heath, Sam Dunell and Bytel.

The Zebras experimented with several positional changes after the main break, with Kent injected through the midfield, Matthew Allison swung forward and Cooper Sharman taking up a post along the wing.

Josiah Kyle – although only finishing with seven disposals – caught the eye through his one-on-one contest work and forward pressure, both of which were backed by his lightning pace.

Draftee Oscar Adams also played his first game at VFL level, while Jack Peris had nine touches coming out of defence.

Sandringham will host Gold Coast at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Sunday 16 April, beginning

BOX HILL  2.4  6.6  10.9  15.9 (99)
SANDRINGHAM  0.4  0.8  2.12  7.14 (56)

GOALS
Box Hill: Cavarra 3, Parsons 3, Greene, Mascitti, Jarsons, T. Phillips, E. Phillips, Thorpe, Callow, Butler
Sandringham: Kent 2, Bytel, Dunell, Heath, Lok

BEST
Box Hill: Shiels, Cavarra, Long, T. Phillips, De Wit, Parsons, E. Phillips
Sandringham: Campbell, Kent, Bytel, Connolly, Hodgson, Kyle, Dunell