BOX HILL Hawks have continued their unbeaten start to 2016, coming from behind to overrun Coburg at Coburg City Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The Hawks trailed by 10 points at the final change, but kicked four goals to one in the final term to record a 13.8 (86) to 11.12 (78) victory.
The win puts the Hawks on top of the ladder after three rounds, as the only team with three wins.
It was a game in which the lead changed at every interval.
The Lions kicked ahead to a 15-point lead at the first change, before the Hawks produced a brilliant second term to edge ahead by 14 points at the major break.
Three consecutive goals to former St Kilda forward Ahmed Saad gave the Lions the lead heading into the last term - and he finished with five for the game - but the Hawks responded brilliantly in the final stanza.
After being omitted from Hawthorn's senior side, Daniel Howe and Angus Litherland both responded strongly.
Howe collected 29 disposals - plus eight clearance, eight inside-50s and eight tackles - while Litherland had 23 disposals and five inside-50s.
Dallas Willsmore also continued his strong form at VFL level, racking up 27 disposals, while ruckman Marc Pittonet notched 37 hit-outs and Matt Spangher (14 disposals) returned from injury.
Box Hill leaders David Mirra (24 disposals), Sam Iles (29 disposals) and Marc Lock (24 disposals) all impressed, while Hawthorn trio Jack Fitzpatrick, Teia Miles and Kade Stewart kicked two goals each.
Miles (16 disposals, four tackles) was also named among the Hawks' best, as was rebounding defender Jermaine Miller-Lewis (18 disposals, six marks).
SCORES
BOX HILL 2.2 8.3 9.6 13.8 (86)
COBURG 4.5 5.7 10.10 11.12 (78)
Box Hill goals: Fitzpatrick 2, Miles 2, Stewart 2, Traynor, Iles, O'Rourke, Lock, Willsmore, Howe, Gordon
Box Hill best: Howe, Iles, Mirra, Willsmore, Miles, Miller-Lewis
