Round 5, ABD Stadium
Friday 25 April
Well it was nothing like last week but the Box Hill Hawks were defeated again to extend their winless start to the season to five games.
The Hawks suffered a cruel 12-point loss to the Coburg Tigers in the traditional ANZAC Day clash at ABD Stadium after leading all match until early in the final term.
On top particularly in the first and third terms with a steady wind advantage the Hawks just couldn’t translate their dominance on the scoreboard.
Coach Barry Mitchell though was philosophical about the loss.
“You’re always disappointed when you lose but the scores on the board so you can’t do much about it.”
“We just couldn’t capitalise in the first quarter, we played better in the first half and pushed Coburg back. Then in the last quarter Joel Bowden and a couple of their senior players just got on top.”
The Hawks led at the first three changes only to go behind late on. Jaryd Morton converted a free kick for the Hawks and cut the margin to four points just as the side began its late charge.
But it wasn’t enough, as the Hawks stormed up the wing the ball was turned over and Coburg delivered the final nail in the coffin in the same passage of play.
The Hawks tackling pressure was vastly improved and Mitchell said it was an element of their game the Hawks needed to turn around.
“That was certainly the impetus during the week. It was something we tried to work on and something we didn’t do very well last week.”
The Hawks welcomed back midfielders Tim Clarke and Josh Kennedy to the frame as well as defender Zac Dawson but lost influential onballer Ben McGlynn to Hawthorn and Garry Moss to injury.
In addition, Brad Neil, Steve Daniher and Joel Cross were all give berths in the senior after standout performances in the reserves.
In the first quarter the Hawks were clearly the better side but only led by 13 points at the interval.
The forward line of Beau Dowler, Kris Shore, Cameron Pedersen and Digby Morrell looked very dangerous with all four providing viable targets.
Dowler, in particular was firing on all cylinders in the first taking four F50 marks and posing real problems for the undersized Coburg defence.
Richmond castaway Joel Bowden was thrown forward at the other end and proved a handful himself. He baulked, evaded and delivered some sublime passes to the Tigers forwards.
The Hawks put a lot more work into him in the second quarter and as such he was effectively cut out of the game.
Nathan Batsanis won a lot of in-and-under ball in the first half and helped the Hawks to a 25 point lead after the side kicked the opening two goals of the term.
Coburg fought back but was often forced to chip the ball around or go wide.
Tim Clarke, on his was to a 13-tackle-game typified the Hawks’ hard play, taking down his much larger opponent to receive a free kick.
Box Hill forged through in numbers after a turnover, sharing the ball amongst each other. The ball ended deservedly, in Kennedy’s hands and he sunk the goal to give the Hawks a 15-point lead going into the main break.
It was more of the same in the third with the Hawks dictating play all over the field. So often Coburg was camped in its defensive fifty which was a testament to the Hawks corralling and tackling pressure.
Bowden didn’t know what hit him when Lukas Markovic laid his first of two huge tackles to send the Hawks forward again.
Shore marked the ball with the resultant kick but failed to hit the mark. His strong marking throughout the game was a real asset for the Hawks though.
Dowler and Morrell were positioned deep in the forward line but failed to “pluck a number of balls as they came in. Coburg pushed large numbers back to clutter the 50 as the Hawks stationed a “brickwall” across their half forward line.
It seemed for every 10 minutes of play the Hawks dominated, Coburg would kick a goal against the trend to keep within reach.
Not for a while has a side dominated a quarter like the Hawks did in the third only to be outscored by five points.
The message from Barry Mitchell at three-quarter-time was clear: keep up the intensity and the game was the Hawks for the taking.
But it didn’t pan out that way, with a ten point lead the Hawks were kicking into a stiff breeze and gave up the first two goals of the crucial last quarter.
Bowden, who’s influence had been quelled, bobbed up to kick the long bomb that saw Coburg rest the lead for the time in the match - a lead they wouldn’t forfeit.
The Hawks tried gallantly but appeared to tire and with only a five day turnaround since their last bruising encounter you would be harsh to deny them an excuse.
Though they did do the late running and nearly stole the victory. Morton’s goal lifted the spirits and cut the margin to four points.
But it was Coburg, with the last goal of the game that clinched, what was really an undeserved victory. Coburg coach Jade Rawlings summed it up in his speech after the game when he said “we were very lucky to get away with the points.”
But it will come as little consolation for the shattered Hawks players who were visibly spent on the ground after the game.
All players should take great heart from the effort though. The Hawks tackled, harassed and pressured the opposition relentlessly but just couldn’t get over the line in the end.
Josh Kennedy crashed and bashed his way to 23 possessions and kicked two goals as well. Mitchell was wrapped to have him back in the side.
“Yeah he’s (Kennedy) been immense for us and it was great to have him back this week. He worked really hard in the middle.”
Tim Clarke was a standout, he ran himself into the ground to collect his 21 possessions and nine marks. In a huge tackling game (Coburg led the tackles 72-69) Clarke had 13 of his own; a massive effort.
Midfielders Nathan Batsanis (19 touches), Morton (23) and Steve Kenna (17) were very good as per usual.
The forward line that fired early lost its impetus but Shore (three goals and seven marks) and Pedersen (two goals and five marks) were good contributors.
Lukas Markovic was terrific for the Hawks with 15 touches and five tackles (two rippers) while David Marcius continued his good form with 15 disposals.
Brent Renouf carried on his stellar form with 28 hit outs and 13 possessions, his ruck work has been a real positive for Box Hill.
The coveted ANZAC Day medal went to defender Nick Carnell.
It was pleasing to see the Hawks put in a spirited effort after last weeks debacle and they now have a week to bemoan yet another missed opportunity.
If you contest as the Hawks did on Friday wins will naturally flow, with Geelong in the Hawks sights at home on the May 10.
Box Hill Hawks: 5.3 / 8.3 / 9.6 / 10.7 (67)
Coburg Tigers: 3.2 / 5.6 / 7.8 / 11.13 (79)
Goals: Shore 3, Pedersen 2, Kennedy 2, Morton, Daniher, Kenna
Best: Clarke, Kennedy, Renouf, Markovic, Shore, Kenna
Hawks in reserve:
Jarryd Morton – Kicked the Hawks last goal to keep them in the contest. Used the ball a lot better but didn’t have his usual impact. Had 23 disposals, seven marks and laid five tackles.
Beau Dowler – Very good in the first half. Led up well and looked dangerous inside 50. Somehow didn’t kick a goal and drifted out of the contest in the second half. Had eight possessions, took seven marks and kicked one behind.
Josh Kennedy – Probably been the Hawks most consistent player to date. Brought other players into the fray but still grabbed 23 touches of his own and kicked two goals even though he’s not a noted goal kicker.
Alex Grima – Had just six touches but laid seven tackles.
Brent Renouf – Very good. Took some leaping pack marks and dominated the ruck with 28 hit outs. Also serviceable around the ground with 13 possessions.
Cameron Stokes – Very quiet, handled the ball well in heavy traffic but didn’t kick a goal.
Tim Clarke – Was the Hawks’ best player. Ran tirelessly and laid some superb tackles (13 all up). Missed a crucial shot at goal late but finished with 21 touches and nine marks.
Zac Dawson – Solid return from injury, kept Cleve Hughes under check.
