Box Hill recovered from an early deficit to overcome the Coburg Tigers by 28 points in a contest where the final score didn’t truly reflect the closeness of the game.
In a sign of just how competitive their opening month has been – it was the first game this season where the final result has been decided by more than two goals.
Despite the four goal win, Box Hill coach Damian Carroll was never comfortable in the coaching box until the final stages of the game.
“It’s pretty hard all day in the box when you cough up six goals to one in the first quarter,” he said.
“I think when we heard there was two minutes left we thought if we can soak up some time and not make too many mistakes here we will win this game.”
Box Hill began the game kicking into a strong wind and as a result Coburg really got on top in the opening quarter. At the quarter time break the Tigers had kicked six goals and the Hawks only managed a solitary Brandon Wood major in reply.
Early in the second term it appeared the Hawks wouldn’t be able to capitalise on the strong wind as they failed to convert their dominant play into scoreboard pressure. However, buoyed by the efforts of their midfield they bounced back and went into the main break trailing by a single point.
If it was the second quarter where Box Hill got themselves back in the game, it was the premiership quarter where they won it. They made the most of their forays forward kicking into a strong wind by booting seven goals straight while limiting Coburg to four goals. When kicking into the wind they played smart, never bombing away, instead choosing to lower their eyes to spot up targets inside 50.
Carroll was impressed with his team’s final quarter for taking on board the coaching panel’s instructions, he also praised the hard work of his midfield group.
“Off the back of some good midfield work we were able to finish it off," he said.
"I thought Simpkin, Iles got us going in the second quarter, Mitch Hallahan played a terrific game in there as well and Wanganeen started to find the footy after quarter time. I thought once we were able to get more of the ball we looked pretty dangerous forward as well.”
Next week Box Hill play Bendigo at the Queen Elizabeth Oval and Carroll is wary of another slow start.
“If we start like we did this week then we will be in real trouble,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you play in this competition we need to approach it with intent.”
Final score
Box Hill 1.1 8.10 15.10 18.15 (123)
Coburg 6.3 9.5 13.13 13.17 (95)
Goals: L. Tobin 4, S. Iles 2, J. Simpkin 2, P. Lawlor 2, M. Lock 2, C. Cassidy, B. Wood , J. Ceglar , L. Lowden , X. Murphy , M. Hallahan
Best: L. Tobin, M. Hallahan, J. Simpkin, M. Spangher, M. Lock, P. Lawlor
