Box Hill suffered its first loss in over two months on Sunday, falling to Williamstown by 25 points.
It was never going to be easy for the Hawks to secure a win, with David Mirra sidelined with injury, and several key players earning promotion to the Hawthorn squad that travelled to Tasmania – Jonathon Ceglar, Will Langford and Brendan Whitecross all travelled with the AFL side this week after showing good form in the VFL.
“It was always going to be a challenge, but we came into the game pretty confident with the team we were able to put on the park,” said assistant coach Josh Humbler.
“It was our start that cost us in the end – it’s difficult to beat a team like that when you’re behind the eight-ball from the word go.”
Compounding Box Hill’s issues was an injury to prolific onballer Mitch Hallahan early.
Hallahan, coming off 30 possessions and three goals, was hurt in a marking contest in the first quarter, and despite trying to battle through his injury was forced to spend the second half in a tracksuit.
After playing as a key defender for much of the season, Matt Spangher displayed his versatility, kicking three goals in the first three quarters as a key forward, before sustaining an injury to his hamstring and sitting out the final term.
Over their seven game winning streak the Hawks have prided themselves on their ability to win contested ball and scrap for clearances. Surprisingly, it was in the clinches where Box Hill were vastly outclassed, losing the clearance battle 32-53.
“There’s no doubt we lacked experience in that [midfield] area of the ground today,” said Humbler.
“We absolutely backed the guys we had in and around the ball but it’s a fearful set up that they’ve got – Cross, Jolly, Carr and Picken – it’s as good a midfield you’ll find in the VFL.”
Final score:
Box Hill 3.1 8.3 10.4 13.8 (86)
Williamstown 7.6 13.8 16.15 16.15 (111)
Goals: M. Spangher 3, T. Gordon 2, S. Iles, M. Northe, M. Weekes, P. Lawlor, D. Pratt, X. Murphy, S. Grimley, M. Lock
Best: M. O'Donnell, A. Litherland, M. Spangher, D. Pratt, J. Kelly, T. Gordon
Hawthorn listed players:
34. Jordan Kelly
Stats: 14 disposals, 6 marks, 3 tackles
While he only got the 14 touches he certainly used it well when he had it, which is becoming a real trend for him. He also doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty and always attacks the ball hard.
35. Sam Grimley
Stats: 7 disposals, 13 hitouts, 1 goal
With Ceglar playing with Hawthorn he was forced to shoulder more of the rucking duties than usual. Didn’t look as comfortable around the ground as he has in previous weeks.
38 Mitch Hallahan
Stats: 1 kick, 1 handball, 1 tackle
Williamstown paid him a compliment of sorts and decided that he was the man to stop. They came out very physical against him and he was injured when he go crunched early in a marking contest. Tried to come back in various roles a couple of times but spent the second half on the bench.
44. Andrew Boseley
Stats: 7 disposals, 3 marks, 3 tackles
It was only his second game playing in the senior side this season and he showed some promising signs. Once he adjusts to the pace of the senior game his game from the Development League should translate well into the senior squad.
46. Derick Wanganeen
Stats: 12 disposals, 3 marks, 4 tackles
Played up forward and didn’t get a heap of opportunities while playing the crumbing role when the ball wasn’t spending a lot of time down his end. Still worked hard to get on the end of a few pieces of play but failed to finish.
61. Angus Litherland
Stats: 22 disposals, 6 marks, 6 inside 50s
Played off a flank and provided a lot of run through the wing and middle of the ground. Seemed to find space easier than anyone else on the ground in the last quarter. One of his marks was a beautiful contested grab at centre half back.
63. Kyle Cheney
Stats: 18 disposals, 4 marks, 4 rebound 50s
Probably hands out one of the best ‘don’t argues’ in VFL footy to create space for himself. Wasn’t as solid defensively this week as previous weeks but he continued to provide a lot of drive from the backline.
67. Matt Spangher
Stats: 8 disposals, 5 marks, 3 goals
One of Box Hill’s best for the three quarters he was on the ground before injuring his hamstring. He provided a target and kicked straight, really showcased his versatility and just how valuable he is playing at either end of the ground.
70. Luke Lowden
Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks, 34 hitouts
Had the most hitouts on the ground by quite a margin and had a passage of play that players of his height have no business doing when he wrong-footed a Williamstown midfielder and then went for a run.
77. Michael Osborne
Stats: 8 kicks, 9 handballs, 3 inside 50s
Seemed to float in and out of the contest, he would be in the thick of it for a couple of minutes then unsighted for the next few. He was composed with ball in hand and operated at a really high efficiency level today.
