The Dogs came out of the gates firing, kicking five goals in the first term into a strong breeze, while the Hawks managed just two behinds.

The hosts were well and truly on the front foot from the get-go, using their knowledge of the conditions to their advantage to keep the brown and gold at arm’s length all day. 

The Hawks showed a little more life and attacking intent in the second quarter, with former Bulldog Ben Cavarra kicking his side’s opening two goals of the day late in half. 

Come the start of the second half, the Hawks looked to be somewhat more like their usual selves. We were the first to hit the scoreboard in quarter three through first-gamer Max Ramsden. 

It was somewhat a bittersweet moment with one of the debutants scoring, while Fergus Greene had hit the deck hard after an attempted mark and wasn’t quite right as a result, ending his game early. 

We managed another goal shortly after courtesy of Emerson Jeka, who slotted one for the brown and gold off a beautiful set-shot snap. 

While the Hawks kept the Dogs to just one goal for the third term, they’d done enough to maintain a lengthy lead regardless. 

The final term saw Brady Grey boot a pearler of a set shot at roughly the four-minute mark and the sound of his celebration came from his boots. But the Bulldogs put through three in a row before Cavarra’s third of the day brought a close to the scoring.

Despite playing catch-up for most of the afternoon, the a handful of Hawks stood out. 

Named his side’s best for the day, Ben Cavarra’s return to his old stomping ground netted three goals. The Hawks’ only multiple goal kicker on the day, Cavarra finished with 17 disposals, four inside 50s and recorded seven tackles by game’s end.

Also named in the best were Damian Mascitti and returning Captain Hugh Beasley, with the duo reliably holding together the backline as always.

Mascitti was judged second best on ground for us, living up to his reputation by saving goals at the last line of defence or going the extra mile wherever he could. He lead all in brown and gold with 23 disposals.

As for Beasley, if you didn’t know he was returning from injury you wouldn’t have guessed, with his willingness to put his body on the line for the footy and ability to lead the team by example. 

Hawthorn-listed players Josh Morris and Josh Ward were two more who provided strong performances throughout the day. Morris was handy out of the back pocket, playing his role well and collecting 12 disposals. As for Ward, he led the Hawks with eight tackles, as result of his pressure around the ground, and also racked up 15 disposals out of the middle. 

The milestone man in Ed Phillips was also among the best for Hawks, putting his best foot forward in game 50. Playing off the wing, Phillips’ ability to run hard and fast, both with and for the footy is admirable. He finished with the second-most disposals for the brown and gold with 20 and had the most marks, with eight for the day. 

The two young debutants had a fair crack in their first game with Ramsden booting the opening goal of the third term, while Mason Hawkins managed 11 hitouts throughout his ruck rotation. They both played the roles they were required and show promise for their futures in the brown and gold. 

Box Hill have dropped a place to sit fifth on the league ladder post the loss to the Dogs, with two games yet to play for the Round. 

We’ll look to rebound next week against the GWS Giants in Sydney, for our second game on the road this season. 

Best: Cavarra, Mascitti, Morris, Beasley, Ward, E Phillips

Goals: Cavarra 3, Grey, Jeka, Ramsden

Disposals: Mascitti 23, E Phillips 20, Maginness 18, Cavarra 17, Porter 16, Ward 15