Round 2, Box Hill City Oval
Sunday 6 April
The Box Hill Hawks let slip a golden opportunity as they suffered a gut-wrenching three point defeat at the hands of the Tassie Devils on Sunday.
Last season, the Hawks were only one of two teams to succumb to Tasmania, and the away side took the four points at Box Hill once again.
But it was the Hawks who had the run of the play for much of the match with early misses and skill errors at crucial stages costing the side, what would have been a pivotal win.
Box Hill Coach Barry Mitchell lamented the unlucky loss.
“It was a high possession game and we certainly had more of it but we didn’t use the ball well enough,” he said.
Of the Hawks’ inaccuracy Mitchell was blunt: “The aim is obviously to kick the ball through the goals and if you’re not able to do that then you’re going to make it hard for yourself.”
Such was the Hawks’ inaccuracy in front of goal they trailed Tasmania early in the second quarter having kicked 1.9 (15).
In contrast, the Devils seemed to score every time they forayed forward and built a two goal lead they scarcely deserved.
As the momentum swung in the second stanza Box Hill finally put away their chances away and looked to force the issue.
Beau Dowler presented well taking four F50 marks in quick succession and slotted two handy goals.
His second goal sparked a scuffle with Digbey Morrell at the forefront.
At this stage the Hawks were on top and Tasmania’s approach was becoming rather predictable.
Their long bombs into the forward line were easily picked off by Box Hill who swept the ball away with ease.
Garry Moss’ creative work between wing and half-forward posed problems for the visitors as did Brent Renouf’s bullocking ruck work.
Again it was Dowler up forward who was causing headaches for Tasmania and he helped the Hawks to a 17-point half-time lead.
The game turned into an arm wrestle in the second half. Tassie forged its way back into the contest with three early goals to lead by a point.
Box Hill chimed in with a timely reply just as it appeared to be tiring but it was the Devil’s quarter – a goal on the siren saw them lead by three points.
At the three-quarter-time huddle coach Barry Mitchell urged his players not to clog the forward line and his ringing words seemed to set the trend in the final quarter.
For two of last season’s strugglers the win was crucial. This was immediately evident in the last term with both sides going at each other relentlessly.
Tasmania posted that first crucial goal but Dowler and Mitch Thorp loomed as threats at the other end.
Nathan Batsanis and Tim Clarke were superb through the middle in the last term. Apart from seeing a lot of the ball their second efforts were inspiring.
The tackling pressure certainly stepped up a notch as the game hung in the balance. It was, at times scrappy, but an absorbing contest nonetheless.
A Garry Moss wonder goal lifted the Hawks and the home supporters. After taking the ball on the wing from a dodgy handball, he strode through two oncoming opponents, weaved past another and slotted the goal on his left from a tight angle. The deficit was cut to two points.
In the frantic last minutes the impressive Alexander Gilmour goaled for the Devils for his fifth, regaining the lead for the visitors.
Box Hill had plenty of chances to regain the lead in the dying moments but every time they went forward they coughed up the ball.
For the jubilant Tasmania the reward was an industrious three-point win while for the Hawks it will be a bitter defeat. They will know a victory slipped through their grasp.
Despite the loss there were plenty of positive signs for the Hawks. They dominated possession with 426 disposals to 352.
Tim Clarke was very good with 39 touches while Batsanis (27), Morton (37), Kennedy (29), Moss (30) and Stevie Kenna (32) put in god performances.
Dowler played perhaps his best game for Box Hill; he had 18 possessions, eight marks and kicked 3.4, which could easily have been 7.
Brent Renouf was good in the ruck, he had 19 hit outs while Lukas Markovic was solid down back.
Box Hill once again sided a new-look team but nonetheless relatively strong looking one on paper and Barry Mitchell said he was pleased with the way his new recruits have started.
“Yeah the new recruits were very good, Stevie Kenna was very good, Nathan (Batsanis) and I thought Lukas Markovic was also very good,” he said.
New skipper Alastair Neville (34) was also serviceable and will only get better.
With two losses from two starts the Hawks desperately need a win to kick-start their season. If they can continue the form they showed against Tasmania then it will come.
The Hawks face Casey Scorpions next Saturday night under lights at Casey Fields. Visit the Box Hill page later in the week to read the preview.
Box Hill Hawks: 1.5 / 7.9 / 10.10 / 12.13 (85)
Tasmania Devils: 4.2 / 5.4 / 11.7 / 13.10 (88)
Goals: Dowler 3, Moss 3, Thorp 2, Kennedy 1, Renouf 1, Clarke 1, Williams 1
Best: Kenna, Dowler, Moss, Clarke, Batsanis, Morton, Renouf
