The Box Hill Hawks were made to rue a slow start and wayward finishing late in a first loss of the 2025 season on Saturday night.

Box Hill were jumped out of the gates by a well-disciplined and impressive Richmond, who lead by as much as 25-points late in the first term and a game-high 39-points at half-time.

The Hawks rallied after half-time to chip away at the deficit and close to within six-points mid-way through the final term, but the combination of a second half return of 4.11 and a number of players nursing assorted injury concerns saw Box Hill fade and, ultimately, lose by 25-points.

While the raw statistics make for encouraging reading – the Hawks were +13 for total disposals, -5 for inside 50s, +13 for clearances, -4 for marks and all square on 21 scoring shots apiece – as is so often the case it came down to efficiency. 

While the opening exchanges were even, it was a four-goal burst between the seven and 19 minute marks of the first term which broke the game open for Richmond and set the foundations for their victory.

While Box Hill were able to kick two of the next three goals via Cody Anderson and Jasper Scaife, the team in brown and gold had unquestionably been second best and needed to regroup and recover at the quarter time break.

Sadly, it was Richmond who hit the ground running once play resumed and their reward was the first two goals of the term. Max Ramsden and Ben Cavarra found timely replies shortly thereafter to have the sides back where they started the period, but that was as good as things got in the second quarter for the Hawks.

The Tigers kicked the final three majors of the frame in time on to scoot out to a game-high 39-point lead at the main break, take a stranglehold on the match and the four premiership points. 

Having been second best for much of the first half, Box Hill resumed following the long break on the front foot. Max Ramsden kicked his second of the evening inside a minute, but what followed was equal parts encouraging and frustrating.

Despite putting together a quarter which was more of what you’d expect of Zane Littlejohn’s charges, for all the Hawks’ territory and possession, improved work rate and defensive solidarity, the team in brown and gold kicked just 2.4 to their opponent’s 0.1 to trail by 24-points with one to play.

Fully confident they could get the job done, the Hawks’ method in the early going of the fourth quarter was excellent – but the execution was slightly off-kilter.

In the first eight-and-a-half minutes of the fourth period Box Hill could only manage 1.4. When Sam Butler kicked truly the Hawks were as closed as they’d been in a long while… but having reduced the margin to a single kick via 45 minutes of hard graft it was a blow to concede two decisive goals back the other way. By the time a third arrived it was game over. 

The Tigers had been too good in both the opening and closing stages of the contest, rode out the period in which they were under the cosh and ran out deserved winners.

Ned Reeves was recognised as the Hawks’ best player on the night, accumulating 20 touches, taking five marks and dominating his one-on-one battle in the ruck. His 38 hit-outs were one thing, but his game-high seven clearances and 15 contested possessions underline his impact at the source. Further, he recorded a game-high six score involvements.  

Skipper Cal Porter was at his reliable best, working hard from first siren to last to aid his team’s cause. His 20 touches were comprised of five clearances, four score involvements and, as is to be expected form ‘Ports,’ a lot of gritty work. He was determined to be Box Hill’s second-best player on a challenging evening for all in brown and gold.

Bodie Ryan put in a strong showing in a hybrid midfield role, taking on elements of the role left vacant by the recent elevation of Henry Hustwaite and Finn Maginness to the Hawks’ senior outfit. The kid with a flash of Blonde hair returned a game-high 24 touches, took five marks, had a game-high eight rebound 50s and, for periods of the final term, looked capable of single-handedly willing his side to victory.

Fellow half-back Seamus Mitchell was similarly busy and very much in the thick of things. ‘Shammy’ had 23 disposals, including seven rebound 50s, and laid five tackles in a good performance.

Wingman Kye Declase won acclaim from his coaches for his performance off a wing and combined his trademark physicality with a dash of creativity. His 15 touches included four inside 50s, five marks and a fourth quarter goal.

Last among the Hawks’ best was first year midfielder Cody Anderson. The Eastern Ranges product was in the thick of the action for large parts of the match and acquitted himself well inside the contest. Deployed primarily forward-of-centre for much of what we’ve seen in 2025, Anderson seemed to relish the opportunity to spend more time in and around the ball. He won 15 touches, including five clearances, and kicked a goal in a encouraging display.

The Hawks will return to action next Saturday afternoon, where they’ll take on Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval from 12:05pm.

Best: Reeves, Porter, Ryan, Mitchell, Declase, Anderson

Goals: Ramsden, Cavarra 2, Scaife, Declase, Dear, Butler, Anderson

Disposals: Ryan 24, Mitchell 23, Bianco 21, Reeves 20, Porter 20, Stanley 19, Horner 19, Ward 18