The red and black army crammed into the club’s traditional home to cheer on their team but it was not enough with the home side falling two goals short.
Leroy Jetta once again found space and moved swiftly through the midfield with 28 disposals while Scott Gumbleton and Joe Daniher continued to put their names up for senior selection.
Coach Hayden Skipworth said his side simply let the game slip to far away from them in the third quarter.
“We were good for three quarters, the first half was really good and the last quarter was good as well,” Skipworth said.
“We obviously dropped away in the third quarter and they scored numerous goals which opened the game up and it is hard to come back from there.”
Scott Gumbleton provided a key target up forward for the Bombers working hard all day and taking some strong marks against Hawks defender Brian Lake.
“Gumby is ready, the last week or so he has been ready for AFL selection but obviously the senior team has been winning so there hasn’t been any change,” Skipworth said.
“He is physically right, his skill, his touch, everything is really good at the moment so whenever his opportunity comes and I am sure it will I think he will perform well at AFL level.”
Skipworth also praised the game of youngster Joe Daniher who plucked down ten marks and set up play across half forward.
“We have some guys in good form that will hopefully get an opportunity at some stage,” he said.
“Joe is a young kid they might look at but that is for Hirdy and the assistant coaches to decide.”
The Bombers started the game strong but never led by more than two goals before a dominant third quarter saw Box Hill take a four goal lead into the final term.
A Josh Toy goal with 3 minutes remaining but the Bombers within four points but it was all too late with a goal in the last minute securing the game for the away side.
Essendon’s VFL team plays Casey Scorpions at Windy Hill next weekend kicking off at 1pm.
