Box Hill's Round 8 clash with the Southern Saints played out in exciting fashion, as the Hawks staged a comeback win at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve.
It was the Hawks who put through the first and only score of the opening term when AFLW forward Sophie Butterworth goaled from Hawthorn's first inside 50 entry with a beautiful left foot kick on the run.
The Hawks were kicking with a strong breeze for the first quarter and managed just one goal, with the rest of the term being played back and forth between the arcs. The Hawks led six to nil at the first break.
The second quarter saw the visiting Southern Saints make the most of their opportunity with the wind, kicking two goals and five behinds, while the Hawks managed a single behind. They trailed by 10 at half-time.
Quarter three saw the Hawks back with the breeze, and they made the most of the directional change, slotting two majors for the term.
The first came through the versatile Matilda Van Berkel off the wing who goaled from a set shot from 40 metres out.
Captain Tamara Luke closed out the term with a goal to her name after a holding free kick out of the ruck contest to put the Hawks ahead by three.
Box Hill's hard work in the third term set the team up to come home strong in the last. A shift of the magnets saw Van Berkel playing down back, allowing AFLW star Tilly Lucas-Rodd to roam free during which time they managed 10 disposals for the last quarter alone, which proved impactful for the Hawks.
By this point in the game, the wind had dropped and the Hawks utilised the ball well, retaining possession for the majority of the last quarter. Two close calls saw almost goals through Jess Vukic and Rosie Dillon touched on the line, allowing the Hawks to nudge slightly further in front.
But it was Eastern Rangers product Grace Belloni who sealed the victory, after running onto the ball in an open goal square to boot a goal late in the game.
The best players were spearheaded by Lucas-Rodd who racked up 30 disposals in their first Box Hill win, joined by the ever-reliable Luke who played out the day in the ruck, while AFLW forward Sophie Locke was a standout and hard over the footy in a switch to the midfield.
Other consistent performers were VFLW-listed duo Caitlin Thorne and Dillon, who continue to deliver, and Van Berkel, who showcased her ability to play her role, wherever on the field that may be.
The Hawks return home this weekend to take on Darebin on Sunday 19 May from 12.05pm.
Box Hill 1.0 1.1 3.2 4.5 (29)
Western Bulldogs 0.0 2.5 2.5 2.6 (18)
Best: Lucas-Rodd, Luke, Locke, Thorne, Dillon & Van Berkel.
Goals: Butterworth, Luke, Van Berkel, Belloni.
Disposals: Lucas-Rodd (30), Locke (20), Luke (16), Belloni (15), Thorne (15), Dilon (14), Parker (14).