Box Hill’s roller coaster 2012 season continued on Saturday as the Hawks went down to Geelong by 51 points at Kardinia Park.
Not even a spirited third quarter comeback that saw the visitors draw within 11 points was enough for Box Hill to take the points back home to City Oval.
The loss, Box Hill’s sixth of the season sees the Hawks clinging onto eighth spot on the VFL ladder, just percentage ahead of the ninth placed North Ballarat.
Geelong ruckman Orren Stephenson and tall forward Josh Walker were dominant for the home side whose eight goal second term secured the victory.
Hawthorn-listed ruckman Broc McCauley enjoyed a successful return to football after overcoming an elbow injury.
The former Brisbane Lions tall was one of the Hawks’ best players and looked particularly dangerous up forward.
Stephen Gilham, another returning to the Box Hill line up was a shining light on what was a largely disappointing day for Damian Carroll’s side.
The Hawks were jumped in the first quarter as the home side got off to a fast start courtesy of goals to Josh Walker and Mark Corrigan.
Xavier Murphy continued his good form of recent weeks and opened Box Hill’s account 10 minutes into the first term as the Hawks finally worked their way into the contest. A late goal to the hosts saw Geelong hold a narrow five-point lead at the first change.
A string of five unanswered goals to begin the second term to the Cats blew the contest apart and left the Hawks reeling 34 points in arrears halfway through the term.
Luke Lowden kicked the only goal of the quarter for the Hawks as Geelong turned the screws in midfield. Box Hill struggled even to escape from their own defensive half. At the main break the game looked all but over with the Cats holding a 46-point lead.
A different Box Hill line up returned from the sheds after half time and gave their small band of travelling supporters something to cheer about. In a stunning form reversal, Box Hill began to dominate in the middle of the ground and it was the previously free flowing Cats who found the going tough.
After Cameron Bruce opened the scoring in the second half, Box Hill piled on five unanswered goals and when skipper Daniel Pratt booted his second of the day the margin had been reduced to just twelve points. However, Matthew Knights’ side was stunned into action. Two goals to Jaxson Barham and Walker late in the third term steadied the ship for the home side.
Still with faint hopes of an unlikely and famous victory at three quarter time, Box Hill would require at least four goals in the final term to overturn their 23-point deficit.
Those hopes of victory were quickly quashed by the Cats as goals from Jackson Hollmer and Jonathan Simpkin took the margin back out to unmanageable levels. From here, normal order resumed and Geelong kicked away to their eighth win of the season.
Next weekend, Box Hill travel to Frankston on Sunday in what is a must win game for the Hawks as they look to sure up their top eight position.
Hawthorn-listed players
Broc McCauley: Made a good return to football after overcoming an elbow injury. Played an important role in the ruck and always looked a threat when going forward. Finished with two goals from four shots on goal.
Derick Wanganeen: An emergency for Hawthorn once again, Wanganeen was classy in possession and as has been the case for much of the year, finished as one of Box Hill’s best. Continues to build an impressive season.
Amos Frank: One of Box Hill’s major outlets to goal, Frank finished with another two goals to add to his season tally. Floated in and out of the game but his pace was important in the third when the Hawks got a run on.
Tom Schneider: Vital in Box Hill’s resurgence during the third term. Was one of the Hawks best and once again led from the front in midfield.
Andrew Boseley: Returned to senior VFL football after a stint in the AFL Victoria Development League. Looked composed down back.
Stephen Gilham: Another Hawk returning from injury after a week off. Gilham looked unhindered by his knee and was one of Box Hill’s best in defence all day.
Angus Litherland: Performed well under pressure down back. Did not have the same impact as he did last weekend rebounding from defence.
Jordan Kelly: Worked hard in defence and was an important when providing rebound in the back half.
Mitch Hallahan: Worked well alongside Schneider and Bruce in midfield. As always Hallahan was hard in the contest and helped the Hawks claw their way back into the contest in the second half.
Luke Lowden: Followed up last week’s impressive performance with another solid shift against the Cats. Battled manfully against the experienced Orren Stephenson.
Jarrad Boumann: Solid down back and combined well with the experienced Gilham. Boumann continues his return to form and fitness following an appendix operation.
Cameron Bruce: Influential in the stoppages, Bruce was one of Box Hill’s best all day. The veteran midfielder was critical in the Hawks’ third quarter fight back.
Taylor Duryea: Serviceable in the back half. His ball use by foot as always was important for the Hawks as they rebounded from defence.
Box Hill 3.5 4.7 11.8 13.10 (88)
Geelong 4.4 12.5 15.7 21.13 (139)
Goals: Box Hill - D.Pratt 3, A.Frank 2, B.McCauley 2, T.Schneider, L.Tobin, X.Murphy, L.Lowden, W.Johnson, C.Bruce
Geelong - J.Walker 5, J.Hollmer 3, J.Schroder 3, M.Corrigan 2, J.Simpkin 2, J.Barham, S.Kersten, O.Stephenson, G.Burbury, S.Hogan, L.McCarthy
Best: Box Hill - S.Gilham, C.Bruce, T.Duryea, D.Wanganeen, T.Schneider, B.McCauley
Geelong - J.Walker, O.Stephenson, J.Schroder, T.Gillies, J.Sheringham, G.Burbury
