PREMIERSHIP Hawthorn defender Brian Lake made a successful return from suspension and injury as one of Box Hill’s best in their draw with Sandringham on Sunday.

It was the Norm Smith Medallist’s first game since last year’s Grand Final, following a three-week suspension and a niggling calf injury sustained in the latter stages of the pre-season.

Lake was a welcome addition to the Box Hill defence and at times pushed forward to finish with 10 marks and 17 disposals in three quarters of football.

Football Academy Development Coordinator and former Box Hill coach Damian Caroll said Lake’s leadership was crucial as the Hawks overcame a 43-point deficit to split the points in their third game of the season.

“He finished with 17 possessions and 10 marks – it was really good for him to come back into the mix for us as a footy club,” Caroll told hawthornfc.com.au

“His touch was pretty good, he used the ball well and we’re really happy with his game. It was a good start for him.

“He displayed strong leadership for our younger Hawthorn-listed players and Box Hill players and some of his marks, particularly late in the game almost got us over the line.

“It was very much like the Grand Final last year where he was able to drop into a hole and take a mark.”

Fellow defender Ben Stratton was also a strong contributor for the Hawks in his second game back from a hamstring injury.

One of Box Hill’s best in last week’s victory over Werribee, Stratton was again amongst the best in Sunday’s draw with a solid game across half back.

Stratton finished the game with 18 disposals and five marks.

Caroll said the dour defender could be in line for a senior recall in the blockbuster Easter Monday clash with Geelong.

“No player on ‘Stratts’ gets an easy touch,” he said. “He was really important for us on the weekend and his ability to position himself to affect the contest is at the level we know he can achieve at AFL level.

“He played across half back and ran really hard – we were really happy with his GPS results, his work rate was really high and to a standard of AFL level.

“He’s been able to get some really good conditioning in over the last couple of weeks and put himself into contention this weekend.”

Caroll was also impressed by the performance of Angus Litherland, who returned for Box Hill following two matches with Hawthorn.

Litherland was solid in defence on St Kilda youngster Tom Lee and gathered 20 disposals and took four marks.

“He was definitely one of our better players on the day and terrific he could come back with that attitude and application, because that’s what we’re looking for when a player is out of the senior side,” Caroll said.

“'Gus’ was able to get involved in some of our chains forward and defensively, we thought he was really strong.”

He was equally impressed by Mitch Hallahan, who pushed his case for senior selection again on Sunday.

An emergency for the last two Hawthorn matches, Hallahan was outstanding in the midfield with 25 disposals and three goals.

“Mitch continued his really good early season form. He was one of our best players – he kicked three goals, used the ball really well and was one who, after half time was nearly able to drag us over the line,” Caroll said.

Caroll said the Hawks made a slow start at City Oval on Sunday but managed to get their hands on the footy and win the contested ball to work their way back into the game.

With all the key performance indicators like contested possessions, tackles and inside 50s even, Caroll said a draw was a fitting result given both sides had the opportunity to win the game.

“We were pretty slow in a lot of areas early but it was a great effort by Sandringham to come out of the blocks early and put real pressure on us,” he said.

“It was a good game that went right down to the wire. They coughed up a lead and probably felt they should have won the game, as did we because we got into a position where we should have won the game.

“For us, we thought a draw was a fitting result on the day because both sides had a chance to win it.”

Box Hill head to Simmonds Stadium on Saturday night to take on Geelong in a replay of last year’s VFL Grand Final.

Final score
BOX HILL 1.3 8.8 10.12 15.14 (104)
SANDRINGHAM 7.8 9.8 12.17 14.20 (104)

GOALS
Box Hill: Hallahan 3, Ross, Lowden, O'Donnell, Lawlor 2, Sicily, Tobin, Schoenmakers, Hartung.
Sandringham: Lee, Ross 3, Shenton, Milera 2, Siposs, Dennis-Lane, Schneider, Murdoch.