BOX HILL Hawks have suffered their third defeat for the season, going down to Werribee Tigers by 13 points at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday.
In wet conditions at the Tigers’ home ground, the Hawks started slowly before working their way into the contest.
The visitors had their chances to win the game, particularly in the third term, before falling 7.11 (53) to the Tigers’ 9.12 (66).
Box Hill Hawks Coach Marco Bello said the Tigers had outplayed the Hawks.
“We probably came up against a side that was a lot hungrier than us,” he said.
“We faced them in Round 2 in a similar scenario, where they played a style of football that was conducive to the conditions.
“They played smart footy – they were able to get a lot of marks off opposition boot, especially in our forward half, and that drives their game.”
The Tigers jumped out of the blocks, kicking the first two goals of the game, before quick snaps from Hawthorn-listed players Shem Tatupu and Daniel Howe helped the Hawks gain a one-point advantage at the first change.
But from there the Tigers took control, kicking five goals to two in the second quarter to go into half time with a 21-point lead.
After a strong first half, defender James Frawley – in his first match back from a shoulder injury - was taken out of the game at half time.
The Hawks came out of the break a different side and controlled the game in the third quarter, closing the gap to nine points at the final change.
But they could have – and perhaps should have – led at the final change.
Marc Pittonet – who shouldered the bulk of the ruck duties with Jon Ceglar rested – and midfielder Jonathan Simpkin kicked the first two goals of the third quarter, but from there the Hawks could only manage six behinds to trail by nine points going into the last quarter.
The Tigers were able to hold strong in the final term, and Bello said his side was left to rue its missed opportunities.
“We just didn’t make them pay,” he said.
“We came out with more energy, which was great and we lacked in the first half.”
Brendan Whitecross was among the Hawks’ best players in his first match back from injury.
“He’s a born leader, he plays the footy hard but also is a good communicator out there,” Bello said.
“He was probably one of our better guys, but we just didn’t have enough standing up today.
“Jed was good – he had 30-odd disposals and 12 tackles – through the back-line, Kurt Heatherley was one of our better defenders, and probably forward James Sicily… he finished with 23 or 24 (disposals), was good overhead and impacted when he needed to.”
The result sees the Hawks slip to second on the ladder, equal on points with ladder-leader Williamstown and third-placed Sandringham, heading into Saturday’s clash with Richmond.
SCORES
WERRIBEE 2.0 7.5 8.7 9.12 (66)
BOX HILL 2.1 4.4 6.10 7.11 (53)
Goals: T. O'Brien, R. Exon, D. Willsmore, J. Simpkin, S. Tatupu, D. Howe, M. Pittonet
Best: J. Anderson, J. Sicily, K. Heatherley, M. O'Donnell, J. Fisher, S. Collins
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