Box Hill proved too good for Essendon VFL on home turf on Saturday afternoon, claiming a 69-point victory.
The result marks a seventh straight defeat for the Dons, who’ve shown promising signs in bursts throughout games but are struggling to piece together a consistent four quarters against higher-ranked VFL sides with greater availability.
A first-term blitz from the Hawks was a difference maker, with the 12-2 side slotting 7.4 in the opening half hour, despite replies from Kayle Gerreyn and Liam McMahon on the Dons’ end.
The Bombers looked much livelier in the second term and were able to lock the ball in their attacking 50 for long stints, however inaccuracy cost them any chance of truly working into the contest (kicking 2.5 for the term).
Solly McKay and Tyler Sellers propelled much of that attack with their intercept work across half back, however the poor conversion was pounced on by Box Hill after the main change.
A run of six goals in the first 15 minutes from play resuming ultimately iced the contest, with Max Ramsden and Mitch Lewis doing plenty of the damage for the Hawks up forward.
With a 66-point buffer at the last break, the game opened up for both sides in the last term, late consolation coming for McMahon, Lachie Monteath and debutant Floyd Burmeister.
Archie Perkins finished with 21 disposals playing mostly through the midfield in his first VFL outing of the year, while Dylan Shiel had 23 of his own after missing last week's clash.
Jayden Nguyen made a return from a long-term injury, looking combative and showing some nice moments with his run-and-carry.
The Dons return to Windy Hill next Friday when they face top-four outfit GWS.
BOX HILL 7.4 10.8 16.10 20.14 (134)
ESSENDON 2.1 4.6 5.10 9.11 (65)
GOALS
McMahon 3, Menzie 2, Gerreyn, O'Neill, Monteath, Burmeister
BEST
O'Neill, McKay, Hately, Sellers, Shiel, Menzie