The Box Hill Hawks went down to a fast finishing Port Melbourne side at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday afternoon in what was a tight tussle all day, 10.13.73 to 15.7.97.
The Hawks jumped out of the blocks early kicking three unanswered goals. Jordan Lisle won a free kick at the four minute mark and slotted through the first of the game, while Isaac Smith showed his class with a fantastic roving goal, set up by his captain Sam Gibson.
The Hawks’ early dominance was due to the zone they had implemented in their forward half, with Port Melbourne struggling to get the ball out of their defensive half, forced to take risks.
The Hawks were disappointing in the second quarter, kicking 1.2 to Port Melbourne’s 4.2. While Box Hill had plenty of opportunities to score, they wasted opportunities going inside the forward 50.
Although the Hawks were outscored in the second, they went inside 50 just as many times as Port Melbourne, with the difference being Port playing-on quickly out of their back half and kicking long into space for their forwards to run onto.
The only goal for the Hawks in the second quarter came from Jayden Hoegel, unmarked in the forward 50 and on the end of some nice work from Sam Cust.
In a quarter where some Hawks players went missing, Sam Gibson was prolific around the stoppages and centre bounces winning many clearances.
For all the chances they missed in the second, the Hawks were only down by seven points heading into the main break.
Port jumped out of the blocks early in the third, kicking the first two goals. Box Hill were making simple errors, giving Port easy avenues to goal.
The Hawks hit back with two quick goals from Puopolo and Lisle. Puopolo was given a 50 metre penalty from the wing, brining him inside 50 and he put it through.
Adam Pattison took a terrific mark on the 50 and banged it in long to the goal square. As the players were fighting for possession, Jordan Lisle got boot to ball off the ground for the Hawks second in quick time.
Box Hill were putting a lot of pressure on Port Melbourne when trying to run the ball out of their backline, with Taylor Duryea earning a free kick in the forward pocket and snapping one through from a tight angle.
Once again, the Hawks had most of the possession in the third term but couldn’t make the most of their opportunities, kicking 3.4. The game was set for a close finish with Port leading by 4 points at three quarter time.
Port kicked the first two goals of the final term using quick ball movement from their back half. The Hawks weren’t without their chances though, both Pattison and Lisle having shots on goal and kicking behinds.
The Hawks first goal of the final term didn’t come until the 13 minute mark, when Jayden Hoegel was awarded a free kick right in front of goal.
Sam Gibson was everywhere for the Hawks in the final term, getting to every contest and winning clearances to give his forwards chances and thoroughly deserving best-on-ground.
As the Hawks seemed tired, Port kept running and eventually ran out the match.
It was a disappointing effort for the Hawks who were unable to make the most of their scoring opportunities.
The Hawks have a bye next week (week of 9 April) and then head to Avalon to play Williamstown in round three (Sunday 17 April).
Box Hill: 4.2 / 5.4 / 8.8 / 10.13
Port Melbourne: 2.4 / 6.5 / 9.6 / 15.7
Goals: Lisle 3, Hoegel 2, Sierakowski, Smith, Puopolo, Duryea, Gibson
Best: Gibson, Milne, Jackson, Boumann, Puopolo, Lisle
