They are now placed at seventh on the table after two rounds of football, and are level on points with Williamstown, Werribee, Box Hill and Collingwood. The ladder is led by the unbeaten Sandringham, Port Melbourne and Coburg.
Coach David Teague shares his thoughts on the match and how some of the Carlton-listed players performed in the match at Box Hill City Oval.
IT WAS a disappointing loss. We had plenty of the ball throughout the day but to Box Hill's credit, they presented very well and forced us wide and we continued to take the short, wide options instead of being more direct.
That came back to hurt us because we couldn't kick the score, and when they had the ball, we couldn't defend it well enough.
There weren't many things we did differently to round one, as our pressure and intensity was really good again. We had 89 tackles, which is better than last week, so we did a lot right.
It was probably more just our ball use. We didn't move the ball into our forward line long enough or direct enough and back our forwards into at least making a contest.
It played into Box Hill's hands as it allowed them to get their numbers behind the ball and counterattack.
Andrew Carrazzo had 55 possessions, which is a great day out and he was probably one of our better players. To get that much of the ball, his work rate went right up. He looked a lot better this week and got into the groove of the game.
He was also one of the reasons we did go a little short and wide, and a few of his possessions I reckon he'd wish he could have back and be more direct with.
While you don't see 55 possessions by an individual player often, I know Andy felt at the end of the day it probably didn't really matter. He'd take 25 and take a win instead.
Mark Austin played his first game after having a few weeks out injured. He was very solid at centre half-back, defended we he had to and was able to run off and kick a goal.
Heath Scotland has been with us for two weeks now and again he was quite handy because he got in and tackled when he had to. He got the ball and set up a couple of goals.
Obviously he's not where he wants to be, but he's coming back to us and being a real leader, and is doing everything he can to get back up there by helping the younger guys out. I can't question his efforts and the way he's going about it.
Jeff Garlett was quite lively early and got into the game with some of his forward crumbing. We missed him when he hurt his ankle in the third quarter.
He handled the transition from seniors to reserves very well. It was probably one of the better games I've seen him play. He's done some good stuff at senior level but he got the ball and used it really well, which is something they'd challenged him with.
I thought the way he went about it, along with Andrew, Heath and Brad Fisher, were great with the way they came back and played their part for the team.
Setanta O'hAilpin kicked a goal and was probably down a bit this week on last week. He gave away a few free kicks, which was a bit disappointing.
Shaun Hampson was one of our better players in the ruck and dominated the air, and his second efforts were terrific. Joey Anderson off the half-back flank also had a great game. He defended early and then ran forward to have a couple of shots on goal.
We've got Port Melbourne in Preston this week, which is our first game there for the year.
They were runners-up last year but knocked off the premiers in round one by 80 points so they're up and flying. They've got some ex-Carlton players in Dylan McLaren, Corey McGrath and Adrian Deluca playing for them as well, which will be interesting.
They're going to be the team to beat this year, so it will be a good challenge and I think we're a real chance.
Northern Bullants 4.3 8.5 12.8 14.11 (95)
Box Hill Hawks 6.1 10.3 13.6 17.9 (111)
Northern Bullants
Goals: J. Saddington 3, J. Bannister 2, J. Anderson, B. Fisher, M. Austin, A. Iacobucci, D. Boundy, A. Gianfagna, S. Hampson, A. Carrazzo, S. O'hAilpin
Best: A. Carrazzo, S. Hampson, J. McCorkell, J. Anderson, H. Scotland, D. Ellard
Box Hill Hawks
Goals: C. Pedersen 5, B. Smithwick 3, J. Kennedy 2, J. Bull 2, S. Iles, S. Gibson, T. Boyle, R. Schoenmakers, S. Kenna
Best: C. Pedersen, S. Kenna, S. Gibson, S. Iles, T. Boyle, E. Curnow
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club
