From www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Conor Ryan
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BENDIGO turned in a gold-standard effort to put a stop to Box Hill's hopes of adding to its VFL winning streak at City Oval.
It took the Hawks 11 rounds to notch consecutive wins, but the Gold made sure it wouldn't be three-on-the-trot, pushing past the home side on the back of a strong second half.
Box Hill looked to be on track early, getting out to a 14-point lead at quarter-time, an advantage limited only by some poor kicking for goal.
An early Luke Andrews goal extended the Hawks' second-quarter lead, but it stung the Gold into action, and they responded with four goals in a row.
The visitors led by three points at the half and had the better of the third term to extend that lead again.
While the Hawks were within striking distance, just two goals behind at the final break, the Gold ensured there would be no comeback, kicking five final-quarter goals to put the result beyond doubt.
It was a disappointing ending for the Hawks, who paid the price for poor disposal, losing 14.16 (100) to 9.14 (68).
Box Hill coach Damian Carroll said Bendigo's pressure forced his team into skill errors.
"Our intensity and effort was good, we were just very poor with our ball use, probably the worst for the year I thought," he said.
"I think the effort was good. Most of those performance indicators recognised that too."
"We had seven new players in this week. I thought the guys who came in certainly applied themselves well enough."
"Just generally, while our effort was strong, it wasn't directed enough in the team focus."
The Hawks' forwards shared the goals, with Amos Frank, Tim Northe and Adam Pattison kicking two each.
Carroll praised his backline's performance, in particular Stephen Gilham, in limiting Scott Gumbleton, and Taylor Duryea's work across half-back.
The result was a boon for Bendigo, which climbed above Box Hill into fifth spot on the VFL ladder with the win.
The Hawks slid to eighth place.
In a strange piece of fixturing, the Hawks will have yet another week off this week, just two games removed from its last two-week break.
Carroll said the repeated breaks weren't ideal for his side, but he would use the development team's match this week to get some game-time into a few players, with Daniel Pratt and Danny Hughes potential inclusions.
