The Box Hill Hawks succumbed to a first loss in seven on Saturday, beaten at City Oval by the second-placed Bulldogs by 19-points.

With the two sides now tied away on 14 wins apiece, the result sets up a one-game shoot-out to determine the minor premiership next weekend. The Hawks remain top of the ladder on percentage – by 4.3% – and head to Casey to round out their home and away campaign, while Footscray host Carlton.

It was a disappointing afternoon for Box Hill all told, with the team in brown and gold left rue a slew of missed opportunities and efficiency in front of goal as they were beaten by the better side on the day.

Despite finishing -8 in total disposals, the Hawks were +7 in inside 50s, +12 in total clearance and recorded one more scoring shot – painting an encouraging albeit frustrating picture of how the game was played and where the contest was ultimately won.

Further, it underlines the reality the team had chances to better challenge the visiting Bulldogs and couldn’t quite finish their work. 

Jai Serong was named the Hawks’ best player after blanketing the dangerous Buku Khamis all afternoon, all the while being an attacking outlet in his own right.

‘Sez’ was the second-highest rated player on the ground, claimed 26 touches, took nine marks and recorded a game-high 10 rebounds – while keeping Khamis to just four touches and a goal.

Henry Hustwaite also impressed and was named in his side’s best, winning 23 touches (12 contested), three score involvements and a team-high seven clearances. Further impressing his hard work in the clinches, ‘Huss’ laid a game-high 10 tackles.

Eastern Ranges draft prospect Lachy Dovaston made his state-league debut and more than looked the part, tallying 18 touches, taking five marks, producing three inside 50s and laying three tackles on his way to 1.3 for the day. The 2025 draft hopeful worked hard in the forward 50 and presented up at the ball all afternoon to be recognised among Box Hill’s best.

From one Eastern Ranges product to another, Ben Cavarra was the Hawks’ best attacking outlet on the day. Playing against his old side and deployed in a role in and around the ball, ‘Cav’ finished with 17 touches, three inside 50s, two rebound 50s, three clearances, seven marks and, crucially, three goals.

In positive news on an otherwise disappointing hit-out, Cavarra’s second major of the afternoon was the 200th of his VFL career – a journey which started some 11 years ago at the Frankston Dolphins, before taking him to Williamstown, the Western Bulldogs’ AFL list and, eventually Box Hill.

Classy midfielder Cam Mackenzie was another to see his performance recognised by the Hawks’ coaching group. ‘Frenchie’ worked hard all afternoon in compiling 26 touches (10 contested), five inside 50s, two rebounds, six clearances, four marks and five tackles. 

Last among Box Hill’s best was Sam Butler. ‘Butsy’ has transitioned back into more of a midfield role since returning from injury earlier in the season and was again prominent around the ball.

The Hawks’ no.30 won a team-high 27 touches (10 contested), four inside 50s, three rebounds, six clearances, took three marks and laid five tackles In another fine individual display.

On a sensational day for footy it was Box Hill who started the better, kicking the first of the contest via Blake Simondson after five minutes.

Sadly, the Dogs would slowly but surely proceed to get on top in both territory and possession for much of what remained of the opening term.

The Box Hill back six dutifully kept the visitors at bay during this time, ably assisted by a midfield core which was working hard to roll back and provide support in numbers around the contest.

Buku Khamis kicked his one and only goal of the day after eight minutes, before Will Lewis added one of his own eight minutes later again – but despite their struggles and in spite of Footscray’s momentum the Hawks trailed 1.2 to 2.1 with 26 minutes played. 

A quick fire double from the Bulldogs’ Jordan Croft handed the visitors the initiative late on and the teams headed off to the first break separated by 17-points.

Box Hill would’ve hoped to make early in roads once the second quarter got underway, but despite controlling most of the ball and field position could only manage two behind through nine minutes.

It was to be a trend – but more on that later.

When the ball went up the other end and Lachie Jacques split the middle the margin was suddenly out to 21-points and the Hawks were in desperate need of a response.

Step forward Ben Cavarra. In what was potentially the hosts’ best passage of play of the first half, ‘Cav’ found himself on the end of a slick transition up the corridor, gathered on the move and drilled a trademark left footer through the uprights.

It was a moment which sparked Box Hill into life, but the run to half-time typified a day of almosts and what-might-have-beens for the boys in brown and gold.

Between the 19 and 27 minute marks of the second term the hosts attacked relentlessly but could only produce 0.5 for their efforts. Despite having most of the play and fashioning the overwhelming majority of scoring opportunities, Box Hill kicked 1.7 to Footscray’s 1.0 for the frame to go to the half 10-points down when they could’ve easily been 10-points up.

Box Hill’s return of 2.9 became 2.10 early in the third term as the Hawks continued to leave goals on the table and their profligacy was punished when Footscray kicked back-to-back goals at the five and seven minute marks to reinstate their 21-point lead.

Cavarra popped up to kicked the 200th goal of his VFL career from the resulting centre bounce and when Billy Hicks kicked his first a couple of minutes later the margin was back to nine points.

The goals kept coming in lots of two when Josh Dolan and Lachie Jacques booted majors for the Dogs, before Billy Hicks’ second again gave his side a lifeline.

Stilted, a little inefficient but good at times, the Hawks headed to the final change 18-points adrift having had two more scoring shots on the day. As the old saying goes, there was time enough if they were good enough.

Lachy Dovaston got just reward for his hard work on the day when he kicked his first VFL goal after just 90 seconds to trim the deficit to just 12-points – but as always the next goal was the most important.

Again the Dogs had all the answers. Jordan Croft popped up to kick his third and the visitors continued to keep the Hawks at arms reach.

Will Lewis joined Croft on three goals for the afternoon with 15 minutes gone to give Box Hill an almighty task, but Cavarra’s third gave his side an interest with about 10 minutes to play.

Unfortunately, it was as close as the sides would get.

The in-form Bulldogs had rolled into City Oval, been the better side across the life of the contest and secured a hard-fought 19-point win.

The Hawks will complete the 2025 home and away season away to Casey next Sunday afternoon at 1:05pm.

Best: Serong, Hustwaite, Dovaston, Cavarra, Mackenzie, Butler

Goals: Cavarra 3, Hicks 2, Simondson, Dovaston

Disposals: Butler 27, Serong 26, Mackenzie 26, Mitchell 25, Hustwaite 23, Ramsden 19