Having suffered their first consecutive losses of the season after falling to Port Melbourne on Sunday, the Box Hill now face a critical clash with the Northern Blues this week. 

The final round of the home and away season, it now becomes a must-win match for the Hawks, who surrendered top spot to Williamstown after their latest loss.

A win against the Northern Blues could see Box Hill regain top spot and claim the minor premiership or, at worst, confirm a home ground qualifying final.

But the Blues will have their own motivation for a strong performance, with the Carlton affiliate side locked in a five-horse battle for the eighth and final spot in the VFL finals.

Box Hill head coach Chris Newman says despite the group letting themselves down on the weekend, the energy remains very much positive around the club.

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“Our focus needs to remain on trying to be consistent throughout the game,” Newman said.

“We’ve dropped two games now, where we’ve had an opportunity to win the game but we’ve struggled to continue our form throughout the entirety of the game.

“So, we’re going to have to recapture our form against the Blues this week.”

For the first time since 2009, the senior Hawthorn side will not be participating in finals, creating a foreign dynamic between the AFL and VFL sides. 

“It makes for a different set-up this year,” Newman said.

“But we’ve just got to make sure we remain aware of our job and doing all the things that they need to do to give themselves the best opportunity to play their best footy at the backend of the year.”