The Box Hill Hawks surrendered a three quarter time lead to a rampaging Carlton on Sunday, falling to zero-and-two on the back of a 46-point loss at Box Hill City Oval.
An arm wrestle for much of quarters one to three, the Hawks started the brighter of the two sides and turned a promising start into a well earned quarter time advantage thanks to majors from Jackson Callow and Fergus Greene.

The Blues made their move early in the second term, kicking three goals through the opening 15 minutes to take their first lead.

Debutant Jaylon Thorpe was thrown to half-back in the absence of defensive mainstays Damian Mascitti and Stu Horner, and immediately struck up a fine tandem with Hugh Beasley.

The combative and competitive Beasley would pull in a team-high eight marks on the day and throw himself into every contest as if the game was on the line, but the Blues’ threat persisted.

Carlton’s run was halted by a superb spot up from Fergus Greene, whose scything right boot found Seamus Mitchell deep in attack for the youngsters first of the day and his side’s third.

But the visitors closed the term as they started it – on the front foot – and took a 17-point advantage to the long break.

The teams traded goals once play resumed, with Serong’s long range effort after seven minutes cancelled out by Carlton shortly thereafter.

Jeka got one back from a free kick deep in forward 50, before Greene’s second brought the Hawks to within a kick nearing time on.

Runner-up in the Hawks’ Col Austen Trophy count in 2021, Jeka doubled up three minutes later to give his side their first lead since early in the second quarter and set up a grandstand finish.

A point in it with one to play, the first goal of the final term shaped as a small-if-crucial win for the team who could get it.

Sadly, it was the team in navy blue who struck first, dealing a quick one-two punch to take a two goal lead through 10 minutes.
Greene’s third arrived in the nick of time to get his side back within a kick, but it was the last joy for those of a Brown and Gold persuasion. 

The Blues kicked away in what remained of the last to secure a 46-point win.
 
Though Box Hill finished plus-one in inside 50s and plus-16 in tackles, Carlton ended the contest plus-16 in clearance, plus-23 in marks, plus-54 in hit outs and plus-93 in total disposals.
 
Tom Phillips was the Hawks’ best on the day, with his work rate and ability to get to contest after contest exemplified by a stat-line that included a team-high 27 disposals, an equal team-high 11 tackles, five clearances, two inside 50s and three rebound 50s.

James Parsons contributed well in defeat, knocking up a team-high eight clearances and eight inside 50s, while Ned Long continued his impressive early season form with 19 disposals, 11 tackles and four inside 50s.

Jai Serong, too, was a fine contributor on the day, booting a goal and driving his side inside 50 on seven occasions from 15 disposals.
 
The Hawks will look to bounce back and secure a maiden win of 2022 next Sunday against Sandringham at the MCG.
 
BOX HILL 2.3 3.4 7.7 8.11 (59)
 
CARLTON 1.1 6.3 7.6 16.9 (105)
 
Best: T. Phillips, Beasley, Greene, Long, Impey, Koschitzke

Goals: Greene 3, Jeka 2, Mitchell, Callow, Serong
 
Disposals: T. Phillips 27, Beasley 22, Parsons 21, De Wit 19, Long 19, Adduci 18