Continuing their string of close finishes, Box Hill fell to reigning premiers Geelong at Simmonds Stadium by five points on Saturday.

It is the second time this season that the Hawks have surrendered a three quarter time lead, and Box Hill coach Damian Carroll is aware that his side must get better in late game situations if they want to establish themselves as a top team.

“It doesn’t feel good at the moment, we’ve had two narrow losses and it is tough to lose a couple of close ones,” he said.

“You’re sort of back in the pack instead of sitting near the top where you want to be. It was disappointing that we couldn’t finish the job because for three quarters we were pretty good.”

Jonathon Ceglar and Luke Lowden did their job by ensuring the Hawks’ midfield got first use of the ball – the duo won the ruck battle with a staggering 62 hit-outs to 24. Their work in the ruck contributed to the Box Hill midfield having an obvious victory in the clearance battle with 16 clearances to nine.

After a two goal performance up forward against Essendon, Matt Spangher displayed his versatility by this week joining the always reliable Box Hill defence down back. Carroll acknowledged the hard work his back line has been putting in

“The backline was good again. There definitely was a fair bit of supply early in the game and in that last quarter as well,” Carroll said.

“They’ve done a really good job over the last three weeks and we don’t want to put them under that much pressure unfortunately, but they’ve been holding up pretty well.”

At the end of the day what cost Box Hill was a last quarter lapse where they were outscored four goals to two.

Despite the low scoring final term, the Hawks almost snatched the win at the end when defender Brian Lake was swung forward and kicked a goal to bring the Hawks within five points. The following few minutes were tense until the siren sounded with the ball inside the Box Hill 50 metre arc.

Geelong 3.4 7.7 8.14 12.17 (89)
Box Hill 3.4 5.9 10.10 12.12 (84)

Goals: J. Simpkin 2, L. Lowden 2, J. Ceglar 2, T. O''Brien , B. Lake , T. Gordon , A. Frank , S. Grimley, B. Wood 

Best: W. Langford, S. Iles, J. Simpkin, M. Spangher, D. Mirra, L. Lowden

Hawthorn listed players:

34. Jordan Kelly
Stats: 10 kicks, 7 handballs, 7 marks
Ran hard all day and as a result was often able to get out in front of his opponent, provided a pivotal link in transition into the forward 50.

35. Sam Grimley
Stats: 16 disposals, 10 marks, 1 goal
Several times throughout the game he showed that he possesses a good set of hands, holding on to marks while running at full stretch.

40. Tim O’Brien
Stats: 1 kick, 3 handballs, 1 goal
Quiet for the majority of the day but his goal was the result of a nice mark and composed finish from 50.

43. Amos Frank
Stats: 6 kicks, 4 handballs, 1 goal
Wasn’t seen up forward as much this week but still managed a nice goal. He went down back and provided a bit of dash and clean foot-skills coming out of defence.

47. Jonathon Ceglar
Stats: 10 disposals, 26 hitouts, 2 goals
When he wasn’t working tirelessly around the ground he was a providing a target up forward and was rewarded with two nice goals.

63. Kyle Cheney
13 kicks, 6 handballs, 5 marks
Remained composed with ball in hand and a real stabilising presence within that back six.

65. Will Langford
Stats: 7 kicks, 8 handballs, 7 tackles
Had the tagging job on Troy Selwood and despite Selwood’s 24 possessions, he really restricted his impact on the outcome of the match. He also provided some toughness and run through the middle for the Hawks.

67. Matt Spangher
Stats: 12 kicks, 4 handballs, 8 marks
Named in the best by coach Damian Carroll, who must be pleased that he was able to slot seamlessly into the back six after playing forward the previous two weeks. He won a couple of crucial one on ones.

70. Luke Lowden
Stats: 14 disposals, 41 hitouts, 2 goals
Dominated the ruck and snuck forward for a couple of goals, one of which showcased the big man’s agility.

72. Jonathon Simpkin
Stats: 11 kicks, 9 handballs, 2 goals
Close to best on ground with his work around the ground and ability to capitalise on his opportunities in front of goal. 

83. Brian Lake
Stats: 22 disposals, 9 marks, 1 goal
The big defender won one on ones, clunked contested marks and took the game on. He was sent forward at the end of the final quarter and kicked a fortuitous goal.