BOX HILL 8.11 (59)

THIS looked far from likely at the final break but North Ballarat Roosters coach Gerard FitzGerald told his players to believe.

Believe they did. The Selkirk Roosters pulled off a stunning two-point comeback win by piling on five goals to one in wet, muddy conditions and with a heavy ball against reigning Victorian Football League premier Box Hill on Saturday.

The Hawks, who had easily dominated the third quarter, looked in shock as the Roosters launched their surge at the Hawks' nest.

FitzGerald told a jubilant playing group post-match that this was a match they would forever look back on and talk about.

"The thing I really admired in you at three-quarter-time was the belief and willingness to give it a go," FitzGerald said.

"We said we could win this game, we just had to do things better."

The Roosters' final quarter was a stark contrast to a lacklustre and goalless term in which they squandered limited chances up forward.

Suddenly, they were sharper, direct and a Nathan Horbury goal eight minutes was the catalyst, breaking their goaling drought.

Hawk Will Langford made a reply but the Roosters were far from finished.

Jordan Staley booted his second goal to re-set the Roosters.

Nick Rippon, Nick Peters and Lachie George kicked majors within two minutes, about 20 minutes into the final term to snatch the lead.

The Roosters backlines went into their trademark lockdown, spoiling and foiling every Hawks forward foray.

Box Hill confidence disappeared.

North Melbourne-listed midfielder Ben Jacobs chalked up 39 touches - so close to a second straight match with 40-plus touches.

Jacobs also played an instrumental role in leading the Roosters charge with 18 possessions in pouring rain through the opening half.

Roosters Nick Peters (31 disposals, nine tackles, one goal), Trent Dumont (26 disposals, eight tackles), and Nathan Horbury (24 disposals, five tackles, one goal) also made a big overall impact on play.

Defender Oli Tate seamlessly returned to the backlines in his first VFL game since injuring his hamstring against Geelong on April 27.

Box Hill marks the first of seven weeks straight in VFL action for the Roosters, whose next two assignments are at home against Casey Scorpions and the new Richmond franchise.

This was Box Hill's second loss this season.