A free kick followed by a 50-meter penalty decided the game at Box Hill City Oval on Saturday afternoon.

After leading for majority of the game, the Blues let slip a definite win, as the Hawks made a late comeback in the second half of the game

After a strong win in the previous round against the Bulldogs, the Blues were confident they could replicate their form, however a goalless last quarter ended up costing them the game.

A standout game from AFL-listed ruck Jess Good shouldn’t go unnoticed, amassing a massive 26 disposals, 15 kicks, nine marks and 32 hitouts. 

Quarter one

From the first bounce, the Blues turned on their defensive pressure. The Hawks got off to a quick start and were moving the ball nicely through the middle of the ground, but the Blues made sure to flood back only conceding a behind. Maddie Di Cosmo took some pressure off Carlton, moving the ball out of stoppages and taking a mark down back. Chloe Bain was rewarded for an excellent tackle, which gave the team some momentum and ultimately led to a goal from Ashlee Thorneycroft, who was showing her strength early on. Mia Austin closely followed with a second goal for the Blues just over halfway through the quarter. Box Hill weren’t fazed and proved they were up to the challenge with a consistent marking passage which saw a goal for the opposition.

Quarter two 

The second quarter was showing early signs of another score on the board. Swift handballing from Octavia Di Donto and Thorneycroft in the middle flowed the ball into the Blues’ forward 50, and not long after a goal from Imogen Milford added pressure to the Hawks. The hitouts and marks kept coming from Jess Good as the ball was moved from end to end with neither side able to convert. Kasey Lennox was accurately kicking from the goal square into the middle, as Carlton were able to keep Box Hill goalless -- even as the inside 50’s were favouring the home side. 

Quarter three

A ten-point lead going into the third quarter was a good starting point for the Blues. Millie Klingbeil was kicking well despite the muddy conditions. A free kick for holding saw the Hawks make the first move of the quarter. There was lots of play on the far side of the ground, where Good didn't let attention from the opposition faze her. Milford kicked a goal on the run once again extending the lead for the away side. Georgia Tait made a useful smother as the Hawks showed they weren’t ready to admit defeat, with the majority of play for the quarter inside the 50 of the Hawks.

Quarter four 

The final quarter was sure to keep spectators on the edge of their seats, as the Hawks showed a burst of energy. Wrigley laid a huge tackle in the first few minutes, showing her determination to keep the ball out of the opposition's hands. Some undisciplined acts saw Box Hill rewarded with a free kick just outside 50 but no score was conceded. A flawless play starting in the hands of Thorneycroft, led to a big mark from Chloe Bain, who once again handed control to Thorneycroft. Ally Blid and Genevieve Lawson-Tavan got involved to finish the play. The Blues defence was working hard but the building attacking pressure from the Hawks saw a goal early in the final term. The defensive work from the opposition was causing miskicks and fumbling from the Blues, but Klingbeil was determined to move the ball forward. Bry Gurr and Keeley Skepper managed a behind each before a quick rain shower saw slippery conditions arise. The final minutes of the game saw an intensity lift from the Hawks, who were only a dangerous five points behind. A free kick inside Box Hill’d forward 50 in the last 30 seconds led to a 50-meter penalty, where the Hawks kicked a goal after the siren to hand the Blues their fourth loss of the season.

MATCH SUMMARY 

BOX HILL  1.1   1.2   2.4   4.5   (29)

CARLTON  2.0   3.0   4.2   4.4   (28)

GOALS: Imogen Milford (2), Mia Austin, Ashlee Thorneycroft