With the bye next round, the Hawks have just one game remaining in the home and away season and require a win in two weeks time when they travel to Bendigo in order to make sure of a top eight spot.
After trailing by 21-points at quarter time, Box Hill fought back against the ladder leaders and controlled large periods of the game only to be overrun during the final term by the Borough.
Box Hill coach Damian Carroll was happy with his side’s fight until the final siren and was pleased the Hawks are beginning to play some of their best footy as the finals approach.
“We probably didn’t have enough composure, there were a couple of instances where we weren’t hard enough at the footy,” Carroll said.
“I was super proud of the boys, the ability to kick the last two in the game and never give up, that’s what you like to see from your team.”
Box Hill 1.4 3.6 6.9 10.11 (71)
Port Melbourne 5.1 6.3 6.6 11.8 (74)
Goals: Box Hill - Pratt 3, Frank 2, Schneider, Wanganeen, Savage, Jones, McCauley
Port Melbourne - Galea 3, Woofindin 2, Cain, Purcell, Valenti, Scipione, Baird
Best: Box Hill - X. Murphy, T. Murphy, Cheney, Schneider, Thompson, Muston
Port Melbourne - Baird, Valenti, Pleming, Allan, Woofindin, Galea
Hawthorn-listed players
34. Jordan Kelly
Stats: 3 kicks, 2 marks, 7 handballs, 10 possessions
Kelly did not rack up a large amount of the ball but his three rebound 50’s were important.
40. Broc McCauley
Stats: 9 kicks, 5 marks, 7 handballs, 16 possessions
Battled well against the experienced pair of Skipper and Bonaddio. Kicked a late goal to keep the Hawks in it.
42. Angus Litherland
Stats: 8 kicks, 2 marks, 5 handballs, 13 possessions
Didn’t have his usual impact rebounding from the backline but was still serviceable in defence.
43. Amos Frank
Stats: 3 kicks, 0 marks, 4 handballs, 7 possessions
Quite for most of the day, but in trademark Frank style, still managed to impact the scoreboard and boot two goals.
45. Tom Schneider
Stats: 14 kicks, 7 marks, 11 handballs, 25 possessions
One of the Hawks best, continues his good season in the midfield. His goal in the second term kick started the Box Hill revival.
46. Derick Wanganeen
Stats: 7 kicks, 6 marks, 7 handballs, 14 possessions
Worked himself into the game as the day wore on. Got dangerous late in the game and was rewarded with a goal.
47. Adam Pattison
Stats: 5 kicks, 4 marks, 5 handballs, 10 possessions
Put in an enormous shift up forward. Whilst didn’t collect a huge number of possessions, Pattison continually created a contest and brought the ball to ground.
48. Will Langford
Stats: 6 kicks, 1 mark, 8 handballs, 14 possessions
In his return from injury Langford was steady in defence. Will no doubt benefit from the run.
62. Bradley Hill
Stats: 12 kicks, 7 marks, 6 handballs, 18 possessions
His pace in the second and third terms was crucial in the Box Hill midfield. All round, a solid game from the winger.
63. Kyle Cheney
Stats: 9 kicks, 6 marks, 4 handballs, 13 possessions
Given the big job on the league’s leading goal kicker Dean Galea and performed admirably down back.
66. Chance Bateman
Stats: 13 kicks, 2 marks, 4 handballs, 17 possessions
Ran hard as always and like Hill, was crucial in the Hawk comeback.
71. Shane Savage
Stats: 5 kicks, 1 mark, 1 handball, 6 possessions
Started the game well, kicking the Hawks’ first goal, but was then forced to leave the field during the second term after suffering blurred vision.
83. Tom Murphy
Stats: 18 kicks, 11 marks, 8 handballs, 26 possessions
Superb in defence, constantly repelling Port Melbourne attacks. Won plenty of his own ball as well.
