HAWTHORN midfielder Will Langford was best on ground for Box Hill but that wasn’t enough to secure victory against North Ballarat at City Oval on Saturday.

In difficult and muddy conditions, the Hawks were beaten by two points, - their second loss for the season – and are now second on the ladder with six wins, two losses and a draw after nine rounds.

Langford, who was omitted from the Hawthorn side that travelled to Launceston to take on the Eagles was his team’s best, gathering a team-high 25 disposals, including 11 clearances and 10 tackles.

His performance won praise from Box Hill Coach Marco Bello, who was particularly impressed with his work at stoppages.

“He got his hands on the footy, worked hard in and around the stoppages on a day where there were more stoppages because of the weather, he was one who showed great leadership around there in setting up and making sure that he was not only the ball winner but could get others into the game as well,” Box Hill Coach Marco Bello told hawthornfc.com.au

“We were really pleased he came with the right mindset and was able to not only focus on himself but the team in general.

But it was what he did without the ball, with his on-field leadership that made him a valuable contributor.

Bellow believes it was his continuity at AFL level that have allowed him to develop leadership qualities.

“No doubt he’s learnt things from there that he’s been able to take away and use at VFL level,” he said.

“His leadership was maybe something he’s learnt when playing with the likes of Hodge, Burgoyne, Mitchell and the likes.

“He came back and saw himself as a leader at Box Hill, so that was really pleasing that he was able to bring that to the Club because we’re a young club.”

Fellow Hawthorn midfielder Jonathan Simpkin, who was also omitted from Hawthorn’s team that defeated GWS by 7 points the week previous was among the best, with 23 disposals and a goal.

“Every time ‘Joffa’ comes back he plays really good games for us – he’s a really good VFL player,” Bello said.

“He sticks to structures, plays his role and that’s what the coaches are looking for.”

In a match that produced just 16 goals – eight to each side – Hawthorn ruckman/forward Sam Grimely was the most dangerous of the forwards, finishing the game with three goals.

With usual Box Hill ruckmen Jonathan Ceglar and Luke Lowden playing for Hawthorn due to injuries to Ben McEcvoy and David Hale, Grimley was required to also spend time in the ruck, where he was a valuable contributor.

He finished the game with 11 disposals, 13 hit outs, six tackles and three goals.

“In a match that probably wasn’t suited for big guys, he played really well,” Bellow said of Grimley.

“He had a bit of a stint in the ruck as well as forward – his output in the last two weeks has been the requirement we’ve been asking of him.”

“He’s worked really hard on the weekend and kicked almost half our goals.

“He’s working his way up, he’s still got some improvement left in him, which is pleasing for a guy who has been on the list for five years now.

“I think we’re starting to see that now.”

International rookie Shem Tatupu played one of his best games, meanwhile, for Box Hill’s development side in their with over Casey. He kicked two goals, had 14 disposals and took nine marks.

FINAL SCORE
BOX HILL HAWKS 2.3 5.7 7.8 8.11 (59)
NORTH BALLARAT 1.4 3.6 3.9 8.13 (61)

GOALS
BOX HILL HAWKS: Grimley 3, Lawlor 2, Simpkin, Langford, Wanganeen.
NORTH BALLARAT: Staley 2, George, Rippon, Peters, Lockyer, Jacobs, Horbury.

BEST
BOX HILL HAWKS: Langford, Simpkin, Collins, Kelly, Grimley, Wanganeen.
NORTH BALLARAT: Jacobs, Peters, Dumont, Boseley, Horbury, Hoy.