An injury-depleted Box Hill were handed a 73-point hiding from the Bendigo Bombers on Sunday afternoon in blustery conditions at Windy Hill, 10.8.68 to 21.15.141.
The game started in a hotly contested manner with numbers around the ball, making it hard for both teams to break free into space.
Bendigo did a good early job of putting the Hawks under a lot of pressure, forcing Box Hill into their kicks and handballs which resulted in turnovers.
The Bombers kicked five goals to three in the first term and, when given the opportunity, would always try and bring the ball back through the corridor which gave them great entry into their forward 50.
The second term was Box Hill’s best for the day. While they only kicked four goals, their pressure and zone set up was excellent, restricting Bendigo to only three majors.
It seemed to be an even contest throughout the first half with both sides having periods of ascendancy.
Box Hill worked hard throughout the first half to stay in touch with Bendigo but struggled to match the intensity and hardness for a full four quarters.
Bendigo was winning every centre clearance in the third term and the Hawks just couldn’t get their hands on the ball around the midfield.
The game was all but over at three-quarter time as the Bombers kicked six goals to two in a dominant display.
Things only got worse for Box Hill in the last quarter, with players not putting their bodies on the line when it mattered. Bendigo worked harder to spread in numbers and appeared to be everywhere.
When the Hawks did win possession around the ground, they bombed long into the forward 50, but with no dominant forward, Bendigo ran the ball out and hurt the Hawks on the rebound.
It has been the same story all season for the Hawks, whose players seem to lack the drive to win back possession when the play isn’t going their way.
The Hawks will look forward to a bye this week and hope to come out refreshed and ready for a win against Collingwood on Saturday 2 July.
Box Hill: 3.2/7.6/9.6/10.8.68
Bendigo Bombers: 5.4/8.6/14.10/21.15.141
Goals: Fagan 3, Northe 3, Kitchin 2, Jackson 2
Best: Boumann, Northe, Milne, Langford, Sierakowski, Gilchrist
