For what seems the upteenth time in the past few seasons, Box Hill has come from a seemingly hopeless position to win.
Trailing by 25 pts during the last term the Hawks stormed home over a weary Northern Bullants outfit who had given it their all during the first 3 quarters.
Ben Kane expoliting opponent Frank Raso's lack of match fitness, was a driving force behind the Hawks late surge, kicking 2 goals and driving several long kicks inside 50 to bigmen Clinton Alleway and Robert Campbell.
The Bullants were game and probably didn't deserve to lose the way they did after leading until the 28 minute mark of the last quarter.
Coming into the game a win and 8% behind the Hawks the Bullants burst out of the blocks to kick the first 5 goals of the game.
The Hawks responded by putting several men behind the ball in an attempt to suffogate the Bullants scoring power. In effect they turned defence into attack as they gathered momentum to trail by only 6 pts at the main break.
A tense 3rd term saw only 2 goals scored, both late in time on to the Northern Bullants. The lat quarter was played at a furious pace with the Bullants being the team to wilt under the finals like pressure.
The Bullants committment can't be questioned over the past 5 weeks but their depth remains a concern. Losing in form bigman Ricky Mott and Daniel Harford during the last term was too much for a Bullants side already somewhat depleted.
The Hawks look like playing in yet another final series, while the Bullants can look forward to 2005 with some optimism.
