The Box Hill Hawks relinquished a four goal lead at half-time to be defeated by the Northern Bullants by five points at the final siren, 13.12.90 to 12.13.85.

In a game of opposing halves, the Hawks dominated the first but were a different side after half time.

The Hawks got off to a brilliant start, kicking three unanswered goals in the first term.

It seemed the Hawks had come out with the intent of pressuring the Bullants into making bad decisions and applied pressure around the ball.

Box Hill’s zone was effective in keeping the Bullants out of their forward 50 but for all of their dominance in the first term the Hawks were only up by three goals.

The Hawks kicked two quick goals early in the second term with Tim Northe taking a strong contested mark near the boundary line to slot through a goal. After a centre clearance, Clinton Young then delivered the ball onto the chest of Adam Pattison  make it back-to-back scoring opportunities.

It seemed whenever there was a contested situation, the Hawks were coming out on top, winning all the 50/50 contests and giving their forwards the best use of their open 50.

Although the Hawks were dominant, they were still making simple skill errors that were letting them down, and while the Bullants still had their chances to score, the Hawks were more effective when moving forward.

It was the contested ball that the let Hawks down in the second term.

The Bullants kicked the first two goals of the third quarter and were winning the ball in the tight, contested situations.

When the Hawks did win possession, they were having trouble finding a forward target. Adam Pattison, Jayden Hoegel and Brad Neil all kicked goals in the first half but were unable to have the same impact in the second.

The Bullants seemed to be working harder and were winning the ball in the midfield, giving their forwards Kreuzer, Henderson and Collins the first use of the ball.

The Bullants’ more effective forward line was the difference between the two sides.

Three quarter time saw the Bullants hit the front by seven points.

The Hawks came out and seemed to be up for the challenge in the final quarter but disappointingly only managed to kick two behinds in the first nine minutes. 

The Hawks’ first goal of the last term came at the 14 minute mark when Jordan Lisle, who had been playing in defense all game, took a good contested mark about 35 out on a slight angle.

The Hawks’ never say die attitude was evident late in the final term.

When the Bullants grew tired, the Hawks won the last few clearances and kicked three goals in a row at the 25, 27 and 29 minute marks of the final term. 

The siren sounded as soon as the ball was bounced after Tim Northe kicked his second, to bring the Hawks within five points. 

It was a game that got away from the Hawks who come up against Geelong next Saturday 4 June at Box Hill City Oval.

Box Hill: 3.4/7.6/8.7/12.23.85
Bullants: 0.1/3.6/9.8/13.12.90

Goals: Adam Pattinson 2, Tim Northe 2, Sam Gibson 2, Rick Ladson, Riley Milne, Brad Neil, Jordan Lisle, Jayden Hoegel
Best: Sam Gibson, Hayden Kiel, Kyle Cheney, Clinton Young, Will Sierakowski