BOX HILL'S horror start to the season continued when the Hawks slumped to their seventh straight loss, against Port Melbourne, 21.14 (140) to 13.14 (92).

The 48-point defeat was made worse by an injury to young Hawthorn-listed player Cameron Stokes, who ended the match on the bench after injuring his hamstring during the third quarter.

Stokes was among Box Hill's best until he was hurt and looked a likely replacement for Hawthorn's Brent Guerra, who will also be sidelined, because of a hamstring complaint.

Coach Barry Mitchell was pleased with Stokes' game before the injury setback. "Probably our best player, Stokes; I think he kicked three goals and did his hammy," Mitchell said.

"I don't know (the extent of the injury). I haven't seen him, but it looked like a hamstring."

Likely replacements for Guerra — and possibly Ben McGlynn and Shane Crawford, who could both come under scrutiny for incidents in Hawthorn's win over Port Adelaide — were going down like ninepins.

Josh Kennedy finished the game on the bench after receiving a knee injury and tall Hawk Brent Renouf clutched his calf late in the last term.

But Mitchell said he expected both players to be available for this weekend, and said Tim Clarke and Tom Murphy could be considered for selection in the Hawthorn line-up.

"We will have to have a look at it during the week to see if there's anyone else there. Tim Clarke was pretty solid today, so he might come in the mix. Tom Murphy was all right, so there's a few there still," he said.

Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres was pleased with his side's performance, particularly as it was Port's first away win.

"There was probably so much riding on this game in that we had to make five changes from last week's loss to Werribee and Box Hill were probably playing better than what their zero-and-six form line had suggested." Ayres said.

Port Melbourne's third quarter was particularly impressive, with the side kicking nine goals to the Hawks' three. A highlight for Port was the performance of Jonathan Mullins, who finished with five goals.

Meanwhile, Williamstown, helped along by the Northern Bullants' 42-point victory over North Ballarat, is on top of the ladder following its 37-point win against the Bendigo Bombers.

Frankston had an easy home win against Werribee, with Aaron Murray kicking eight goals to steer the side to a 96-point victory.