In a return to Box Hill City Oval, the Hawks suffered a 12-point loss in a tight tussle with the GWS GIANTS.

Senior Coach David Mirra said there were good moments to take from the Round 14 loss, but plenty to work on moving forward.

"Facing a GWS team on the cusp of the top four was always going to be a true litmus test," Mirra said. 

“Offensively, there was a lot to like, we won the inside-50 count by 15, generated three more scoring shots overall and owned the final quarter with seven scoring opportunities despite some frustrating inaccuracy.

“However, the game was lost on the defensive side. We allowed them to hurt us too easily with their ball movement and leaking 17 goals means our team defence will be the main focus of this week's review.

“We come up against another top four team this week in our away trip to Tasmania and look forward to another big game that will help shape our season.”

Mirra summarised the performances of each AFL-listed Hawk below.

Sam Butler (Two goals, 26 disposals, nine clearances)

“Sam balanced inside grunt with scoreboard impact, splitting his time between the midfield and forward line. His tackle pressure and ability to win contested ball were features of his game. He led the team with nine clearances and topped off a strong performance by kicking two goals.”

Henry Hustwaite (23 disposals, eight tackles, four clearances)

“Tough conditions in the centre of Box Hill City Oval, but Huss did his best work in the clinches to finish with a team-high eight tackles and four clearances. GWS clearly put some work into him at the stoppages, making it tougher for him to break away cleanly this week, but he still fought hard to find plenty of the footy.”

Will McCabe (20 disposals, five intercept possessions, four marks)

“It was a tough day for outside runners given the wet weather, but McCabe adapted well to gather 20 possessions. He worked hard defensively to support the backline and remained clean with his ball handling, striking a good balance between gaining territory and finding options.”

Ollie Greeves (One goal, 20 disposals, three clearances)

“Greevesy spent the majority of the day in the engine room before a late stint deep forward. As a mid, he smartly intercepted an opposition kick in to set up his goal. While he found plenty of the ball, finishing with the third-most possessions on the team, he is actively working on his running patterns from stoppages to maximize his two way impact.”

Bodie Ryan (19 disposals, seven marks, six intercept possessions)

“Bodes output was hampered slightly by an early knock to his shoulder, but he showed good resilience to battle through the game. Despite the injury, he still managed to provide a vital link out of defense, recording six rebound 50s and six intercept possessions.”

Cody Anderson (19 disposals, 10 contested possessions, nine inside 50s)

“One of the standout performers on the day, Anderson relished the wet weather contest. He was incredibly tough over the ball, routinely fending off opponents and driving the team forward. Alongside elite chasing pressure, he racked up a team high 9 inside 50s, though he’ll want to convert his opportunities better after missing a few gettable goals.”

Cam Nairn (18 disposals, seven marks, four contested possessions)

“Returning from the AFL side, Nairn lined up on the wing and focused heavily on his positioning and structural discipline. He provided excellent support to the backline as a plus one behind the ball and just needs to finish off his good work by clunking the marks when the opportunity arises.”

Noah Mraz (18 disposals, 12 intercept possessions, 10 marks)

“This was Mraz’s best game of the year, holding the backline together with several goal saving plays. He looked incredibly strong in the air, hauling in 10 marks and recording 12 intercept possessions. It caps off a rock-solid three weeks of football where his training track form is clearly translating to game day.”

Aidan Schubert (Two goals, 10 disposals, four tackles)

“Schubert put together another highly consistent outing, finishing with two goals and giving the opposition defenders headaches with his running power. His decision making was sharp and he excelled at ground level when the ball didn't mark. He is continuing to work on maximizing his aerial strength to grab more contested grabs.”

Max Ramsden (22 hitouts, 10 disposals, five marks)

“Ramsden shouldered the majority of the ruck duties and competed fiercely to give the midfielders first use. While dominant in the air, his work at ground level was just as important; his quick feet allowed him to apply immediate pressure and remain an active option around the contest.”

Matt Hill (Three goals, 10 disposals, eight tackles)

“After a slow start from the team, Hilly was a primary catalyst for the fightback. He injected life into the centre bounces to win crucial clearances before drifting forward to apply heavy tackle pressure and kick a clinical goal from the boundary. It wasn't a high possession day, but he provided maximum impact with every touch.”

Jaime Uhr-Henry (24 hitouts, two disposals, two contested possessions)

“It was a gruelling day for Uhr-Henry, battling the wet and muddy conditions as the second ruck. He competed hard to register 24 hitouts but is actively working on sharpening his footwork around the contest to boost his defensive support, while also looking to grab more marks when the team is forced down the line.”

VFLW Round 7 Results

Box Hill                                 1.0          1.1          2.2          5.2 (32)

Sandringham                  1.0          2.4          4.8          6.10 (46)

GOALS: Kayley Kavanagh (2), Sienna Sharp, Annabelle Embelton, Evelyn Connolly.

DISPOSALS: Kayley Kavanagh (24), Annabelle Embelton (23), Ella Stoddart (19), Jessica Matin (18).