The Box Hill Hawks were all but overpowered by an experienced Collingwood outfit to be beaten by 39 points, 13.18.(96) to 7.15.(57).
After quarter time, Box Hill were unable to find their feet in front of goal as the Magpies piled on 13 goals to five.
Dictating play, Collingwood not only over-worked the Hawks defense, but repelled with ease in their own defensive half making life difficult in more ways than one.
In a strong position early, Box Hill Coach Brendon Bolton felt the match slipped away after the Hawks let loose a number of important opportunities in front of goal.
“We started the game really well, but unfortunately we didn’t convert.
“There were a few goals I thought we could have converted a little bit quicker; unfortunately we probably never really got the reward on the scoreboard that we needed.
“That was a bit disappointing, because obviously scoreboard pressure can give us a bit of momentum. To Collingwood’s credit, with O’Bree and Fraser they had some real experience out there and played some good footy.
“I thought what they did worked well both ways; they squashed into our forward line really quickly when we were trying to enter, and also worked hard offensively.” Bolton said.
Making a raft of changes for its clash against Sydney, Collingwood’s VFL side was topped-up with talent with omitted players Josh Fraser, Paul Medhurst, Brent Macaffer and Jaxon Barham giving extra spark and experience to the Magpies line-up.
Evident from the opening bounce, Collingwood’s experience played a huge role towards their victory with the combination of Fraser and Cameron Wood in the ruck and John Anthony’s new move to full back setting the Magpies forth on their way.
Bolton agreed, stating “we went in really with one ruckman; we’ve been doing that for a while.
“There’s no doubt we are one short in the ruck which hurts.
“When you have got a really experienced player like Fraser, it mixes and matches with your structure making it difficult.”
Lucky to survive the initial stages of the final term, the Hawks were kept in the game after Paul Medhurst had the chance to ice the match for the Magpies, but missed leaving the door ajar.
Moving Cameron Pedersen into the ruck worked for part of the Hawks recovery process in the fourth, cutting the margin down to 15 points. Collingwood lifted the tempo when threatened, completing the match with a big finish.
Errors with the football also didn’t help the Hawks.
“I thought we turned over some of the ball that really hurt us.
“Particularly in the second quarter, there was a couple; we dropped a mark in the center of the ground, it rebounded for a goal, and we missed a deep entry inside 50, it rebounded a goal and changed the momentum.
“It’s amazing how much these days momentum swings are having an influence,” Bolton said.
Having 10 shots in the opening term, Box Hill kicked 2.8 and finished the match with only another five goals in the 7.15 score line. Although the intended direction was off-target, a positive was the Hawks had twenty-three shots on goal.
Able to lock in the ball inside fifty, Collingwood were on top with their small livewire forwards making life difficult for Box Hill.
The Magpies mature bodies also worked in their favour, muscling out the Hawks at crucial stages in a men-against-boys display.
On field, Ed Curnow never stopped running as the Hawks best gathering 29 disposals.
Cameron Pedersen continued his strong form in defense with 21 disposals and 13 marks, along with a competitive effort in the ruck in the final term.
Shane Savage (28) placed some good long entries into the Box Hill forward fifty, accompanied by some explosive runs in the middle.
Returning after a high-grade hamstring tendon injury, Josh Gibson (20) playing just over a half, providing a serviceable performance.
Matt Suckling (21) and Haydn Kiel (14) rounded out the better players.
Box Hill was able to re-gain the services of Captain Steve Kenna who showed his express pace at stages, but it wasn’t enough to get the Hawks over the line.
Next week, Box Hill plays the Gold Coast at Southport on Saturday 3 July, with the hope of claiming another victory which could catapult the side back into the top eight.
Box Hill Hawks: 2.8 / 3.10 / 5.13 / 7.15.57
Collingwood: 0.3 / 5.8 / 9.10 / 13.18.96
Goals: L. Breust 2, B. Fagan, S. Savage, J. Kayler-Thomson, C. Stokes, M. Suckling
Best: E. Curnow, C. Pedersen, S. Savage, J. Gibson, M. Suckling, H. Kiel
