BRENDAN Whitecross and Teia Miles found plenty of the footy, but an undermanned Box Hill Hawks fell 16 points short of Port Melbourne at North Port Oval on Saturday.

The Hawks were always going to have a tough challenge ahead of them.

In-form Hawks Jonathan O’Rourke (thumb) and Dallas Willsmore (hamstring) were ruled out with injury at the selection table, while ruckman Marc Pittonet and Kade Stewart both travelled with the Hawthorn side as emergencies.

However, the Hawks had their chances to win the game, in a clash between seventh and eighth on the VFL table.

Little separated the sides at any change.

The Hawks led by seven points at quarter time, before the Borough responded to lead by seven points at the major break, and just two points at the final interval.

But the Borough made the most of their opportunities in the last term, kicking 3.2 to the Hawks’ 0.6 to run out 10.11 (71) to 7.13 (55) victors.

Whitecross collected 25 disposals, 10 marks and six inside 50s to again press his claims for a senior recall, while Miles continued his impressive season with 24 disposals and five inside 50s.

Defenders Angus Litherland (20 disposals) and Kurt Heatherley (17 disposals) also performed well, while Will Langford, Zac Webster and Blake Hardwick kicked a goal apiece.

The result means the Hawks have lost their past three, ahead of next week’s bye.

They will be looking to bounce back in their next match, against reigning VFL premier Williamstown, at Box Hill City Oval on July 9.

BOX HILL HAWKS     3.5     4.6     7.7     7.13 (55)
PORT MELBOURNE     2.4     5.7     7.9     10.11 (71)

Box Hill goals: J. Summers 2, W. Langford, C. O’Sullivan, Z. Webster, B. Hardwick, J. Walker
Box Hill best: M. Warren, B. Whitecross, D. Mirra, A. Kennedy, J. Walker, K. Heatherley