BOX Hill coach Damian Carroll says tough decisions are likely to be made at the selection table following the Hawks’ 34-point loss to reigning premier Port Melbourne.

After a tight opening half in which Box Hill matched their opponents across the ground, the Borough took control of the game with a commanding third quarter performance.

With a 22-point lead at the final change the ladder leaders were unlikely to be beaten, stretching their lead by a further two goals by the final siren.

But the Hawks’ were not without their chances, booting 1.6 in the second stanza as they pushed for an upset victory.

Taylor Gilchrist showed his intention to prove himself with an impressive performance on his return to the senior side, but it was ultimately the class of William Burstin, Chris Cain and J.J Liston medallist Shane Valenti that saw the Borough kick clear.

Speaking after the game, Carroll said he was disappointed, but credited the effort of the Port Melbourne side.

“Not taking anything away from Port Melbourne, but we were disappointed in a few areas,” he said.

“We were right in the game, we thought right until that last goal before three-quarter time that we were in the contest.

“They responded when they had to and lifted their intensity and unfortunately our guys couldn’t match that.”

It was not all bad news for Box Hill fans, with Jarrad Boumann, Tom Murphy and Cameron Bruce all playing well.

Boumann blanketed one of the VFL’s star forwards Dean Galea, keeping him to one goal on a sweltering afternoon at City Oval.

For the third week in a row, midfielder Tom Schneider was among the best, booting two goals as he continued to push his case for elevation to Hawthorn’s senior list.   

The Hawks’ second loss of the season leaves them in eighth spot on the VFL ladder equal on points with next week’s opponent, Collingwood.