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WILLIAMSTOWN consolidated its position at the head of the VFL ladder yesterday, trouncing a spirited but depleted Box Hill at Burbank Oval 23.15 (153) to 13. 12 (90).

The match may have shaped as a mismatch, with Williamstown — the second-best offence in the VFL — unbackable favourite against the Hawks, the worst-ranked defensive team. But early on, at least, the game proved an entertaining contest, with the young Hawks throwing everything they had at the flag favourite, before the match reverted to script.

Continuing its good first-quarter form, Box Hill jumped the ladder leader early and successfully strangled Williamstown\'s running play with intense pressure through the middle, forcing the usually composed Seagulls into committing repeated turnovers. To make matters worse, Williamstown lost key forward Wayde Skipper to a knee injury late in the first term, leaving the bulk of the forward work to ex-Magpie Jason Cloke.

For the first time since VFL tipping commenced in 2000, I find myself in the lead with 38 winners. Just behind are Bobby Borough who in enjoying Port Melbourne's good form as well as old Waverley Panther Paul 'Saints'
Martinez. Both are on 37 winners. Bomber 'Darren Tudor' and zebra 'Jeff Smith' are both on 36 winners. For the record I will be tipping all the home teams this week. My aggregate score will be 202 points.

AGGREGATE SCORE WINNER

Barry 'Bulldog' Hemsley selected 96 points for the Casey v Collingwood clash. The aggregate score was 99 points where Barry was only 3 points off. He collects $40. The next aggregate score match will be the Round 9 clash between North Ballarat v Frankston.

NO TIPSTER PICKS SEVEN

No tipster picked seven winners therefore the jackpot will be $60 for Round 8. If no tipster selects seven winners again in Round 8 the jackpot will be $90 for the following round. If more than one tipster picks seven winners the tipster nearest the aggregate score for the Williamstown v Box Hill game will collect.

Click on 'Read  More' for the full tipping ladder.

The reigning JJ Liston medallist injured the thumb during the Cats' 34-point loss to Coburg at the MCG on Saturday and will go under the knife as soon as possible.

The injury has probably robbed him of the chance to captain Victoria in the state game against the SANFL in a fortnight.

The news was better for a few other Cats who were also wounded by game's end.

From the Moreland Leader
Reported by Simon Craig

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MORELAND Council is fuming over cash it spent backing VFL club the Coburg Tigers.

As Coburg's relocation to Craigieburn becomes all but a formality, Moreland councillor John Kavanagh lamented the tens of thousands of dollars spent in recent years trying to placate the Richmond feeder club.

Sport Minister James Merlino all but confirmed the move, reported in the Leader in January, during a visit to Craigieburn last week to announce the $2.5 million State Government contribution to the football training centre.

Mr Merlino said the facility will "bring VFL and perhaps even AFL football to the area, with the Coburg Tigers slated to train and play matches at the new oval".

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BOX HILL'S horror start to the season continued when the Hawks slumped to their seventh straight loss, against Port Melbourne, 21.14 (140) to 13.14 (92).

The 48-point defeat was made worse by an injury to young Hawthorn-listed player Cameron Stokes, who ended the match on the bench after injuring his hamstring during the third quarter.

Stokes was among Box Hill's best until he was hurt and looked a likely replacement for Hawthorn's Brent Guerra, who will also be sidelined, because of a hamstring complaint.

Coach Barry Mitchell was pleased with Stokes' game before the injury setback. "Probably our best player, Stokes; I think he kicked three goals and did his hammy," Mitchell said.

The 22-year-old, who returned to the Hawks this season after two years at Coburg, is desperate to taste his first win as skipper against Port Melbourne at Box Hill City Oval tomorrow.

"The most disappointing thing was early in the year we weren't putting in the effort," Neville said.

"Since Sandringham (in Round 4) we have been having a good go with our attack on the ball and our decision-making is getting better.

"Even though we haven't won, we realise we are improving. By no means is anyone pulling their hair out."

Neville, who is juggling football with his fifth and final year of a commerce engineering degree at Melbourne Uni, has played mainly in the backline this season after establishing himself as a midfielder