Box Hill suffered their third consecutive loss on Saturday, defeated by Northern Blues in trying conditions at Box Hill City Oval.

In wet conditions, the first quarter was a hard-fought contest with only one goal scored, to Blues player Tom Wilson.

Captain Daniel Pratt’s day was over early after a head clash left him with concussion.

A six goal to two second quarter from the Blues set up the win, whose attack was just as good as its defence.

The Blues defence crowded Box Hill’s space inside 50 and with almost 50 minutes of game time gone they trailed by 25 points and were yet to kick a major. Mitch Hallahan proved to be Box Hill’s answer after he cleared the ball from a throw up inside attacking 50 and kicked their first goal of the day.

The goal did little to stop the run of the Blues though, whose quick forward ball movement continued to penetrate Hawks defence and as a result they kicked another three before half-time. 

The Blues weren’t just impressive in front of goal, but played with an intensity and pressure that punished Box Hill’s overuse of the ball.

Speaking post-match, Coach Damian Carroll made no excuses for his team’s second term.

“They certainly, we thought, were more competitive in the game in the second quarter and really showed our guys up,” he said.

“They got a lot of uncontested footy that we weren’t able to get.”

A hungry and smarter Box Hill ran out after the major break.

Tim O’Brien did his best to inspire his side, taking a big mark and kicking the first goal of the quarter. But the Blues were quick to reply and despite an incredible boundary goal from Hallahan in the dying seconds, the Hawks still trailed at the last change.

Although they won the final term, keeping the Blues goalless, it was too little too late for Box Hill who never managed to pull back in the margin the Blues had established early.

Jed Anderson made an impressive return from injury to the side laying six tackles, while Jonathan Ceglar proved the Hawks best answer to the Blues big ruckman Robert Warnock.

Young defender Jordan Kelly was a pivotal presence in Box Hill’s defence, filling the gap left by Pratt’s absence, he stood up providing a reliable last line of defence and wasn’t afraid to take on some of the bigger bodies of the blues.

“I thought [Kelly] was good and right up until the last siren he kept trying and chasing and tackling and pressuring and showed great character,” Carroll said.

Goals: M. Hallahan 3, X. Murphy, T. O’Brien, D. Wanganeen
Best: M. Hallahan, S. Iles, J. Kelly, S. Cust, M. O’Donnell, J. Anderson

Hawthorn-listed players
34. Jordan Kelly
12 possessions, 7 tackles, 3 marks

A standout player in defence for the full four quarters. Filled the gap of the missing Daniel Pratt taking strong defensive marks that slowed the consistent attack from the Northern Blues.

35. Sam Grimley
8 possessions, 7 hitouts, 3 tackles

He struggled to find form in the wet and slippery conditions, but did have an impact at points inside attacking 50 and applied good defensive pressure around the ground.

37. Jed Anderson
16 possessions, 6 tackles, 3 clearances

A good first game back form injury, especially considering the conditions. Was the second highest Hawks possession getter for the day and even tried his hand in the ruck.

38. Mitch Hallahan
31 possessions, 8 clearances, 3 goals

Another retuning player from injury, he didn’t look like he’d missed a beat, finishing the day atop the possession table. He was Box Hill’s answer to the Blues early, their only goal kicker before halftime and match high scorer.

40. Tim O’Brien
9 possessions, 1 goal, 3 marks

Provided a good target inside attacking 50 when Box Hill went forward, with his less mature body holding up against the bigger, stronger Blues defenders. Was unlucky not to finish the day with two set shots at goal after the umpire missed a big grab, but made up for it later in the third with a second leap and goal.

46. Derick Wanganeen
9 possessions, 5 tackles, 1 goal

Tried hard all day around the ground and was not afraid to get involved in the contest. Kicked the first goal of the fourth quarter after falling at the bottom of a crunching pack.

47. Jonathan Ceglar
15 possessions, 25 hitouts, 3 tackles

Shared the rucking duties with Lowden and did some good footwork around the ground. Was probably Box Hill’s best tall in the challenging conditions.

61. Angus Litherland
5 possessions, 4 tackles, 2 hardball gets

A quiet day from the defender not at his usual standards, but he did became more involved as the day went on.

70. Luke Lowden
4 possessions, 25 hitouts, 4 tackles

Shared the rucking duties with Ceglar, but struggled to have his usual impact on the contest in the wet and slippery conditions.