The Selkirk Roosters had as much of the football as the Hawks and won the clearance battle, but lost what counted most – the match.

And in taking the honours by 27 points Box Hill provided North Ballarat a stark reminder as to why they are poles apart.

While Box Hill is fourth, the Roosters are languishing on the bottom with one win after six straight losses.

Roosters head coach Marc Greig said although there were positives to take out of the game, the reality was that until their use of the football improved they would continue to struggle.

He said just as it had against Port Melbourne in the previous round, North Ballarat had been in with a winning chance well into the game, but ultimately did not use the ball anywhere near as well as the Hawks.

North Ballarat was hurt by a slow start.

Greig said the Roosters had been well aware of Box Hill’s marking power – it averages about 110 a match – but failed to cover this, allowing the Hawks 30 in the first quarter.

“I was a poor start. Box Hill jumped us (by 21 points) and we couldn’t bridge the gap back.”

He said North had also not adjusted as well to the wet.

Greig said too much handball in unsuitable conditions had been a major cause of inefficiency, as it gave up to eight goals directly from turnovers.

Box Hill by comparison kicked long to limit the possibilities of handling mistakes.

North Ballarat refused to go away and in the third quarter closed within a couple of kicks.

And again in the last quarter it forced Box Hill to throw players back, but the Hawks were just able to keep the Roosters at arm’s length.  

The Roosters lost Keegan Mellington with a “corky” in the second quarter.

They will also get a full assessment of Louis Herbert, who in his return from a hamstring injury suffered shoulder trouble playing with Learmonth in the CHFL on Saturday. 

The Roosters play Coburg.which they beat in round one, in Ballarat next Saturday.