Box Hill, after leading by 10 points at three quarter time, were all but overrun by a fast finishing Coburg side that were able to find deep marking targets late in the dying stages.
Richmond’s Dean Polo was the difference kicking truly when scores were drawn at the 34th minute, seeing Coburg hold on and escape with victory.
Luke Breust was the best of the Hawks with five goals, while Ed Curnow again was vital at the stoppages in and under gaining the hard ball with 44 disposals.
Beau Muston continued his good form gathering 20 disposals as the impact player in the third quarter, kicking two important goals.
In windy conditions, Box Hill and Coburg played an even see-sawing affair, before it all came down to the wire.
Delivering deep inside 50, Coburg found multiple marks to Mitch Morton and Dean Polo who won the game for the opposition.
Box Hill and Coburg were both represented with strong teams with Coburg playing a string of Richmond players including Daniel Connors, Dean Polo, Jordan McMahon, Mitch Morton and Jake King making the task a whole lot harder.
The Hawks led the game by five points at the first change, before Coburg kicked five back-to-back straight goals in the 2nd, until the Hawks responded with three of their own.
Box Hill won the third term with four goals to two and looked likely to take the momentum into the forth.
The Hawks just fell short, unable to prevent Coburg from constantly attacking into their 50 - with a clean mark which was needed.
Box Hill Captain Steve Kenna (29) and Gary Moss (26) were impressive, while Sam Gibson had 27 disposals and kicked three goals.
Costly mistakes by the Hawks hampered their ability to hold onto the game with many mistakes leading to Coburg goals.
Jarryd Morton influential down back was lost late in the 2nd term after a hit by Jake King, also was a major loss for the Hawks.
Box Hill loses their first game for the season by a single kick, but remain in the top four in 2nd position.
Next Week, Box Hill plays North Ballarat at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday 1 May.
North Ballarat comes into the match off a 10-point loss ato the Casey Scorpions, the clubs first loss for the season, like Box Hill.
Box Hill’s new alternate playing strip will be unveiled for the first time ever.
The match will be shown live on ABC TV.
Coburg Tigers: 2.2 / 7.3 / 9.4 / 14.10.94
Box Hill Hawks: 3.1 / 6.4 / 10.8 / 13.10.88
Goals: L. Breust 5, S. Gibson 3, B. Dowler 2, B. Muston 2, B. Smithwick
Best: E. Curnow, L. Breust, S. Kenna, S. Gibson, B. Muston, G. Moss
