Box Hill recorded their first win of the season over Essendon at Windy Hill on Saturday. 

Despite a making slow start, Essendon's inability to capitalise on their dominance in the early part of the game saw the Hawks head into the main break only two goals behind.

A disappointing opening term for the Hawks was turned around in the second, as it began to win its fair share of the ball to give its forwards a chance. 

The Hawks too, failed to take their opportuinities when they presented, but Coach Damian Carroll said reward for effort came soon after the main break.

“We probably didn’t get the reward in the second quarter, but that reward came in the third quarter,” he said. 

“In the last quarter we were probably saving it more than winning it, but for our younger guys I think it was important not to lose another close one like last week.”

It was in the third quarter where Box Hill snatched the lead and they didn’t relinquish it for the remainder of the game. They began playing the brand of football that almost won them the game last week; applying stifling defensive pressure and locking the ball into their forward own forward 50.

In his second game for Box Hill, Brian Lake moved well all game and played his part in limiting Essendon to 10 goals after they kicked 23 last week. He ended the game with 21 disposals, nine marks, and launched several counter attacks after cutting off Essendon entries.

Lake wasn’t the only high profile Hawk to impress on the day - Michael Osborne was mentioned by Carroll post-game when discussing  the game’s better players. 

He ended the match with 16 disposals and five tackles, not all his work showed up on the stat sheet though, with his tireless work ethic in the forward half resulting in plenty of rushed Essendon kicks out of defence into the waiting arms of a Hawks player.

Next week Box Hill will travel down the highway to face Geelong, one of three teams to win both games so far this season.

Goal Kickers: T. Gordon 4, A. Frank 2, M. Spangher 2, S. Savage 2, W. Langford , B. Wood 
Best Players: A. Litherland, K. Cheney, B. Lake, M. Osborne, S. Savage, D. Mirra

Hawthorn listed players:

34. Jordan Kelly - 11 kicks, 6 handballs, 7 marks
Only five Box Hill players found the pill more than he did. Displayed a decent set of hands in several of his seven marks on the day.

40. Tim O’Brien - 3 kicks, 4 handballs, 2 marks
Didn’t get much of the ball but generally used it well when he got it.

43. Amos Frank - 10 kicks, 3 handballs, 2 goals
Got the Box Hill contingent of the crowd excited when he kicked a goal out of nothing in the third quarter. He kept harassing the Essendon defence and ended up with five tackles to along with his two goals.

47. Jonathon Ceglar - 7 kicks, 9 handballs, 19 hitouts
Managed to find brown and gold jumpers all day with his hitouts often going to advantage. He also managed to find a bit of it and used it cleanly.

61. Angus Litherland - 8 kicks, 6 handballs, 1 mark
Was named in the best players for the second week in a row for good reason. Played his role in limiting the scoring of the potent Essendon forwards. Rarely beaten in a marking contest.

63. Kyle Cheney - 14 kicks, 5 handballs, 8 marks
Solid down back all game, provided good run and carry out of the backline. Another one who found himself in the bests for the second week in a row.

65. Will Langford - 13 kicks, 6 tackles, 1 goal
Kicked a great goal on the run when the team needed it most to stay in touch toward the end of the first half.

67. Matt Spangher - 10 kicks, 3 handballs, 2 goals
Started the game really well when we were struggling. He kept presenting a target up forward and using it smart by lowering his eyes to find targets inside 50. Even kicked a couple of important goals himself.

70. Luke Lowden - 13 kicks, 4 handballs, 18 hitouts
Continued his good start to the year. Played well when in the ruck and linked up like an extra midfielder around the ground.

71. Shane Savage - 15 kicks, 7 handballs, 2 goals
Coach Damian Carroll mentioned that he was impressed with Savage’s ability to play through all three lines on the day. Close to best on ground.

77. Michael Osborne - 10 kicks, 6 handballs, 5 tackles
Hard at the ball all day, his work in the forward half really helped lock the ball inside 50 when the Hawks made their run. Another player who Carroll praised after the game.

83. Brian Lake - 15 kicks, 6 handballs, 9 marks
Looked in control and full of confidence from the first bounce. Moved well and cut off plenty of Essendon forays forward. Led the team in marks and was fourth in disposals