In front of a packed new Canterbury Park pavilion the Hawks answered every Bulldog challenge.

They stayed in touch as the Square unleashed a six goal to three third quarter and after scores had been level twice in a gripping last term they headed the visitors both times.

At the finish it was Eaglehawk’s livewire forward Sean Williams who booted the clutch goal from the timekeepers’ panel flank deep into time-on to ensure the Hawks won 9.12 (66) to 8.10 (58).

The first half, a mish-mash of errors and forgettable footy, ended with Eaglehawk 22 points up thanks to two first term goals from Cameron McGlashan and second term singles to Sam Harper and Sean Williams.

Square just couldn’t get going, stifled by the Hawk defence led by hard-running Brenton Conforti. It wasn’t until the final five minutes of the second term that the Dogs’ Bailey George landed the visitors’ first goal from a set shot.

But then the standard and the excitement lifted. It had taken two complete quarters but the Square finally unshackled themselves from the Hawks’ firm grip.

Led by midfield dynamo Tom Toma, who finished with 41 possessions, the Dogs added 6.5. Harper was on target for Eaglehawk when awarded a 50m penalty before the Square banged home four unanswered majors.

Dylan Johnstone, feisty Braydon Welsh, Toma and Adam Baird all nailed vital Square goals.

Matt Filo and Williams capitalised on solid on-ball work from coach Josh Bowe and midfielder Scott Hann to land much-needed Eaglehawk majors.

For the second time in the third quarter scores were level when Square’s Johnstone landed his second after dodging around two Hawk defenders.

The intensity and tackling pressure had risen and when big Matt Compston sank his after-the-siren shot at the Simpson’s Road end Square sneaked out to a one-point lead.

But Bowe and his Hawks weren’t going away as twice scores were level early in the last stanza.

Busy midfielder Ben McPhee took a handpass from close in at the Simpson’s Road end and his major handed Eaglehawk a seven-point lead: 8.10 to 7.9.

Matt Gretgrix, hampered by injury, could land only an Eaglehawk minor score before Johnstone steered through a vital Square goal.

It was a one-point affair once more. Then after a Gretgrix point following a contested mark Williams sealed the Hawks’ win with the most important major of the day.

Playing coach Bowe said it was heartening to see how well his players had responded to Square’s second half challenge.

“Our backline really stood up, especially late when we were under the pump, so it was good to wrest the momentum back after they’d got on top in the third quarter.”