The Box Hill Hawks’ season suffered a set back on Saturday as they suffered a shock 26-point loss to Tasmania at City Oval.

The Hawks trailed for the majority of the match and despite a concerted fourth quarter effort the 27-point three quarter time margin Tasmania held proved too great.

Coach Damien Christensen lamented Box Hill’s lack of physicality.

“We weren’t physical nor desperate enough,” he told the Sunday Herald Sun.

It was the second last Hawks versus a Tasmanian side sitting last with just one win all season. However, the Hawks entered the clash heavy favourites to win.

The Hawks had probably one of their strongest lineups all season going into the game. Hawthorn captain Richard Vandenberg was included as well as Zac Dawson and Josh Thurgood who returned from injury and the AFL respectively.

The first quarter was tight with Tasmania having most of the early play. However, the Hawks managed to strangle their run, getting numbers at the contest and in the back half.

The Hawks struggled to create any sort of forward thrust but Ryan Breese did midway through the quarter as he evaded one opponent and followed that up with a bullet-like pass straight onto the chest of Beau Dowler, who goaled.

Tasmania was then awarded a couple of dubious free kicks and a 50m penalty to help them take an eight-point lead into quarter time.

The Hawks responded in the second quarter, taking a much more offensive approach and reaping the rewards with forward fifty entries.

Regardless, Tasmania was putting on all the scoreboard pressure and held a three-goal buffer for the majority of the quarter.

Three forward fifty free kicks and two 50m penalties going Tasmania’s way in the first half didn’t help the Hawks’ cause.

The home side did have a good spell moments before half time yet weren’t getting reward for effort, but for one goal through Dowler.

After the break Tasmania scored two quick goals to really sting the Hawks who had been working hard to get back into the match.

The Devils lead by 27 points at this stage as the Hawks begun their charge. There was a real resolve about the playing group as they closed the gap to 15 points on what had been an altogether forgettable day.

Yet, Tasmania made the task all the more difficult for the Hawks with two late goals to extend their lead to 27 points at three-quarter time.

A spirited last quarter effort brought Box Hill to within 14 points with 10 minutes remaining.

Two goals to Matthew Little and another to Tom Murphy landed the Hawks within touching distance.

Little was particularly good in the final term but it was too little too late for the Hawks.

Tasmania managed another two goals before the final siren to run out comfortable 27-point winners. It was just their second win of the season.

It was a day to forget for the Hawks in a must-win game for the club in order to keep their finals hopes in tact. After a superb win over Port Melbourne a week earlier the Hawks looked a little off the pace and gave Tasmania too much of a head start.

The Devils tackled hard and kept the pressure up for the entire four quarters to their credit. They also used the ball a little better across the board.

Hawthorn captain Ritchie Vandenberg played an important role in his bid to regain fitness; he played mainly across half back and had 25 touches for the game.

The Hawks will have something to build upon with encouraging performances from Beau Muston, Little, Garry Moss and the captain Kristan Height.

Ryan Breese was very good again and has given the Hawks a huge boost in the midfield since he came into the side against Sandringham in Round 10.

Moss provided a spark across the wing and half forward throughout the game.

Little was the Hawks best player; he threatened to break the game open in the last quarter and kicked four goals for the game.

Height’s leadership and composure under duress was admirable yet again. His commitment, courage and importance to the team cannot be questioned and he provides a great example for the rest of a very young side. 

The Hawks need to regroup as they face an in-form Coburg next week at Coburg City Oval.

Box Hill Hawks: 3.2 / 6.4 / 8.6 / 12.9 (81)
Tasmania Devils: 4.4 / 8.7 / 12.9 / 16.11 (107)

Goals: Little 4, Dowler 2, Shore, Gibson, Murphy, Crook, Muston, Renouf

Best: Little, Moss, Muston, Height, Breese, Kennedy

RESERVES

The Box Hill Hawks fought off a resilient Casey outfit at City Oval on Saturday, to run out convincing 22-point victors.

It was level-pegging for most of the match, but the Hawks showed their finals credentials in the last term winning, although not playing their greatest football of the season.

The margin was one point in favour of the Hawks at half time and two at the last change.

The Hawks however, capitalised on their chances when the game was in the balance.

Casey managed the first major of the last but the Hawks answered the challenge almost immediately – a sign of a good side.

The Hawks had beaten Casey by a combined 129 point in their two other matches this season, but this proved to be a much closer encounter.

Kurt Batt goaled at the 15-minute mark to edge Box Hill ahead by three points and the side ran away with the match from that point on.

The Hawks sit fifth, one win clear of their nearest rival. They play high-flying Coburg next Saturday in what will surely prove to be a litmus test for the club.

Box Hill Hawks: 5.3 / 8.6 / 10.10 / 15.13 (103)
Casey Scorpions: 2.4 / 8.5 / 10.8 / 12.9 (81)

Goals: Cook 4, King 2, Pedersen 2, Batt 2, Marguccio, Bull, Hill, Barker

Best: Johnson, Neil, Daniher, Markovic, O’Sullivan, Seehusen