Bendigo kicked to the Barnard St end of the ground, against the wind in the first quarter. The game was very tough early for both teams as pressure and strong tackles were being applied. The Bombers were working very hard to get the ball forward. It almost worked as they ran the ball along the wing, which ended with Josh Bowe. Unfortunately his kick from 40 metres out hit the post. Box Hill’s Beau Dowler and Nathan Batsanis both scored long goals to give the Hawks an advantage coming up to quarter time. But late in the quarter Hayden Skipworth goaled from a set shot for Bendigo’s first, putting his team nine points behind the Hawks.

During the break the Bombers coach Adrian Hickmont addressed his players and said, “ the team did a very good job against the wind, hold onto the ball and use the wind to our advantage in the next quarter by kicking the ball long to the forwards.”

Both teams still had a lot of work to do if they wanted to take control of this match.

Box Hill came out fired up and ready to play. Dowler kicked his second goal as well as goals to Brent Renouf and Zac Dawson, gave the hawks a huge advantage. Bendigo kept fighting hard as the rain started to pelt down. Bowe had another chance to score and this time he kicked a great goal from a ball up inside the Bombers’ fifty. But this was followed by an onslaught of goals by Box Hill. Dawson finished with three for the quarter taking the Hawks out to a ten-goal lead. Bendigo had a few near misses at goal, wasting opportunities. The Bombers had the chances but couldn’t put the score on the board. The half time score was Bendigo 2.6 (18), trailing Box Hill 12.6 (78).

The rain came down again as the third quarter began. Both teams lifted the pressure with plenty of contested possessions. The work of Bendigo’s defenders, Captain James Flaherty, Danny Chartres and Grant Weeks was outstanding throughout the quarter. Weeks was playing in a different role this round, previously playing in the forward line. Box Hill still managed to kick three goals for the quarter, all by Dawson. The Hawks added plenty of pressure through hard tackles on the Bombers’ players. Bendigo didn’t manage to score for the term but worked hard on defending the tall forwards and talented midfielders. Box Hill led by 80 points going into the last thirty minutes of the match.

Hickmont and his players all agreed that they worked harder in the packs that quarter. He then said, “I want you to run and carry the ball past half way and kick the ball long into the forward line.” The Bombers just had to keep trying and fighting to earn back some respect.

Flaherty laid a massive tackle at the start of the quarter to inspire his teammates. But this did not help as Box Hill were getting rewarded for their tackles through free kicks and goals. Tim Clarke kicked two goals as well as contributions from Dawson, Renouf, Dowler and Ben Smithwick. Bendigo kept attacking, having five inside fifty’s in the last three minutes. The final scores were Box Hill 21.13 (139), defeating Bendigo 2.8 (20).

Highlights for the Hawks were the eight goals kicked by Dawson and the skill of their midfielders. The last time these two teams met Dawson only kicked 1 and Bendigo were victorious by 35 points.

Bendigo tried hard all day and the performance of youngsters, Mark Arnott, Chris Mathieson and Blair Holmes, were very good signs for the club.