WILLIAMSTOWN slid further down the ladder after a frustrating six-point loss to Box Hill on Saturday.
Sitting fifth heading into the game, the Seagulls dropped to seventh after they were unable to stop a fast-finishing Hawks outfit that was sparked into action by Amos Frank.
In predictably shocking conditions at Burbank Oval – the Morris Road ground’s first VFL match for 18 months – Williamstown led by four points at three-quarter-time.
Click on the image below for our gallery of the big clash.
Goals to Andrew Hooper and Christian Howard early in the term looked to give the Seagulls the ascendancy, but Box Hill refused to give up.
The final quarter was epic. It was old-fashioned, wet-weather football with both teams going goal for goal as the clock ticked beyond the 30-minute mark.
The Seagulls kept pressing, with Liam Jones trying his best to push them forward, but goals to Derick Wanganeen and Frank, who kicked four, combined with a determined defence saw the Hawks scrape across the line.
It was a passionate effort from Box Hill,which trailed by 26 points at quarter-time. Cameron Bruce led the fightback in the second term as the Hawks booted five goals to none to lead by 10points at the main break.
From there it was largely goal for goal, with the momentum and lead changing several times.
Team general manager Brendan Curry said the loss was disappointing, but the Seagulls needed to shift their focus to next week’s game against Frankston.
“All credit to Box Hill; they took their chances in the last quarter. I don’t think there was any specific reason [for the loss]. We just weren’t in front when the siren went and that’s footy sometimes … we need to bounce back next week.”
Curry praised the performances of Jones and Ben Jolley, and said it was a “day for the small forwards”, with Hooper kicking four for Williamstown and Frank getting Box Hill back into the contest late.
For the Hawks, Luke Andrews was good all day and Xavier Ellis rucked well in his return from injury. Williamstown travels to Frankston this Sunday to take on the last-placed Dolphins and must win to keep in touch with the top four.
