The Box Hill Hawks staged an amazing 51-point turnaround against the Frankston Dolphins to run away with a 28-point victory at the final siren, 14.14.98 to 10.10.70.

Box Hill hadn’t come to play in the first quarter with the Dolphins attacking harder at the ball. When Box Hill did manage to win possession around the ground they often broke down across the half forward line, while in contrast the Dolphins were effective going forward.

Box Hill kicked 0.0.3 in the first term, highlighting how wasteful they were in their kicking.

It seemed like a different Box Hill side that came out after quarter-time, as the Hawks fought tirelessly to win the hard-ball gets. It didn’t take long for the Hawks to get into gear in the second term, with Jordan Lisle kicking a goal from 50 metres on a tight angle in the first minute of play.

Box Hill kicked three goals on the trot but were spoiled when Frankston gained one back against the flow at the 11 minute mark of the second quarter. The Hawks answered back with two important goals from Hawthorn-listed Luke Lowden and Isaac Smith in time-on.

Although Box Hill had outplayed the Dolphins in the second term, they were still 11 points behind at the main break.

The Hawks started the second half by doing most of the attacking but were again wasteful, kicking six points in the first eight minutes of the third quarter.

It took the spirited skipper to get the Hawks’ first goal of the half, with Sam Gibson kicking truly on the run to put the Hawks in front for the first time, with Box Hill kicking 6.6 to Frankston’s 1.1.

The Dolphins sparked up to kick the first two goals of the final term in a move that let the Hawks know that the game wasn’t quite over yet.

Frankston maintained possession early in the term but were unable to move the ball forward with any purpose, with the Hawks holding strong in defense when it mattered. 

The Hawks kicked the next three goals to finish the game off entirely.

It was a great effort from Box Hill who notched up their third win of the season and is now only one win outside the eight.

The Hawks will be challenged this week as they face the fifth-placed Bendigo Bombers on Sunday 19 June at Windy Hill.

Box Hill: 0.3/5.5/11.11./14.14.98
Frankston Dolphins: 4.2/7.4/8.5/10.10.70

Best: Gibson, Cheney, Mirra, Lowden, Lisle, Andrews
Goals: Lisle 3, Ladson 2, Andrews 2, Wanganeen, Lowden, Gibson, Morton, Smith, Sierakowski, Jackson