The Box Hill Hawks came close to pulling off the upset of the season by leading the undefeated Port Melbourne for most of Saturday’s Round 22 clash, only to be overrun in the final 15 minutes.

Despite the 20 point loss the Hawks held onto the eighth spot on the ladder to reach the finals.

Few, if any people, gave Box Hill Hawks a chance against Port Melbourne in the final match of the season even though the Hawks were the last team to beat Port Melbourne (albeit in 2010).

For many, the question was ‘would their percentage fall enough to see them drop out of the top eight’?

Looking to redeem themselves after last week’s humiliating defeat to Williamstown, Box Hill started the better of the two teams kicking the first two goals of the match and maintaining 14 point lead at quarter time. 

The Hawks played some of their best football of the season, moving the ball quickly into the forward line and creating scoring opportunities.

The second quarter was an arm wrestle with both teams’ defences well on top as neither side were able to score a goal. Both Port and Box Hill could only manage three behinds and the 14 point margin was sustained at the main break.

Port were able to narrow the gap in the third term, kicking five goals to the Hawks' four but the visitors maintained a slender five point lead at the final change.

Box Hill Hawks coach Damian Carroll asked his players to maintain their effort into the final quarter in order to pull off the upset win.

Despite only having one fit player left on the bench for the final quarter, the Hawks scored the first two goals of the final term and when Tim Northe extended the lead to 17 points, the biggest upset of the year looked likely.

The bigger bodies of Port Melbourne turned the around game and by the 15 minute mark, scores were level before the Borough sealed the match with three late goals.

Hawthorn's Brent Renouf was the leading goal scorer with three while captain Sam Gibson was the leading possession getter with 30 touches.

Despite coming up short, Box Hill did enough to hold onto eighth spot and will play in the finals next weekend. 

Box Hill Hawks coach Damian Carroll was impressed with the way Hawthorn's Ben Stratton moved in his first game back from injury, playing almost the entire game due to Box Hill having three injuries.

"I thought he was good," Carroll said. "I thought he was pretty consistent and his ability to spoil opposition players was really important."

Other Hawthorn-listed players included Xavier Ellis who collected 22 possessions and was amongst the best in his VFL senior return, Paul Johnson was also dominant as a back-up ruckman and defender, and Jordan Lisle who put his hand up for a recall with a best-on-ground performance.

Rookie defender Will Langford injured a shoulder and young ruckman Sam Grimley sustained a hand injury.

The Hawks will play Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday 3 September in an Elimination Final, starting at 2:10pm.

Port Melbourne: 14. 11 95
Box Hill: 11.9.75

Goal Kickers: B. Renouf 3, B. Neil 2, S. Gibson , P. Johnson , T. Gilchrist , L. Andrews , T. Schneider , T. Northe
Best Players: J. Lisle, P. Johnson, D. Mirra, X. Ellis, S. Gibson, B. Neil