The Box Hill Hawks 2024 season came to an end in the Elimination Final against the defending Premiers in Port Melbourne.
After a draw at ETU Stadium last weekend, the third-placed Hawks hosted the sixth-placed Borough at Box Hill City Oval.
The stage was set for a day of wet weather football and the forecast proved true for the game’s duration but both teams made the most of their chances. In the end it was Port Melbourne who advanced to the Semi Final with an 18-point win.
The first term saw Port Melbourne manage first blood at 8-minute mark. The Hawks had possession for the majority of the terms thanks to the backline who showed consistent defensive efforts as Port Melbourne managed repeat inside 50s.
Box Hill on the other hand managed to penetrate their forward 50 on just five occasions. Come the 18-minute mark, Gabby Collingwood got the Hawks on the board with a perfect set shot to see the Hawks within four points at the first break.
Hawks Captain Tamara Luke slotted an elite set shot goal from the boundary to open scoring in the second term and give her side an early lead.
Port Melbourne responded with back-to-back majors to extend their lead to ten points at the half.
To open the second half, Annie Muir goaled off a long-range snap to bring the Hawks within five-points of the visiting Borough.
The Hawks showed repeat efforts and put through a few behinds to get within two-points, before another Port goal saw their lead back out to 8 points at three-quarter time.
The last quarter saw Box Hill miss a couple of opportunities in front of goal while Port Melbourne made their kicks count, with two additional goals to get out by 12 points.
The visitors capped of their afternoon by slotting another goal before Jess Matin booted a late one for the Hawks at the 17minute mark to bring the Hawks back within 18 points. But by then it was too late, time ran out for the brown and gold.
The Hawks best players on the day were led by Captain Luke herself, who finished with a goal, 13 disposals and a dominant 29 hit outs. Throughout the day she exemplified all the traits she’s been known for over her years in brown and gold, ending her football career in prime form. Luke was chaired from the ground at game’s end, through a line-up of both Box Hill VFLW and Hawthorn AFLW players in honour of her impressive career.
Rounding out Box Hill’s best players was Rosie Dillon who had a team-high 18 disposals, Spamer who worked hard around the ground managing 11 disposals. Collingwood with her goal and 15 disposals, as well as Ellie McLinden (14 disposals) and Cassie Davidson (13 dispoals) who capped off their impressive seasons.
Box Hill 1.0 2.1 3.4 4.7 (31)
Port Melbourne 1.4 3.5 4.7 7.7 (47)
Best: Luke, Dillon, Spamer, Collingwood, McLinden, Davidson.
Goals: Collingwood, Luke, Muir, Matin.
Disposals: Dillon 18, Collingwood 15, McLinden 14, Lee 14, Luke 13, Davidson 13.