Box Hill Hawks Explained

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  1. 4D2004
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Clubname:Box Hill Hawks
Formernames:Box Hill Football Club
Nicknames:Hawks, Mustangs, Stangs
Formernicknames:White Horses, Stranglers
Season:2024
Home&Amp;Away:VFL

TBA
VFLW: 3rd

Colours: Brown Gold
League:VFL

Men's
VFLW: Women's

Coach:VFL: Zane Littlejohn
VFLW: Michael Ericson
Premierships:VFA/VFL (Div 1) (3)
Ground:Box Hill City Oval (10,000)
Most Recent Premiership:2018
Pattern B1:_brown_stripes_copia
Pattern So1:_hoops_gold
Body1:FED225
Shorts1:814102
Socks1:814102
Url:boxhillhawks.com.au

The Box Hill Hawks Football Club is an Australian rules football club playing in the Victorian Football League (VFL). It has a reserves affiliation with the Hawthorn Football Club, which plays in the Australian Football League (AFL).

History

Early Australian rules football in Box Hill (1903–1935)

Organised Australian rules football within the municipality of Box Hill can be traced back to the year 1903. In that year Mr EFG Hodges, the proprietor of the "Reporter" newspaper, founded the "Reporter District Football Association". The six foundation teams were Bayswater, Box Hill, Canterbury, Ferntree Gully, Mitcham and Ringwood. This Box Hill team played on a ground approximately 400 metres south of where Box Hill City Oval is located today, the site is now partly occupied by the Box Hill High School and the Box Hill Cemetery. This team is wholly unrelated to the Box Hill Hawks Football Club of today but was the first team to be known as Box Hill and was the first Australian rules football team in the municipality.

In 1921 a team known as the Box Hill Junior Football Club participated in local competition and in 1923 the Eastern Suburban Protestant Churches Football Association was formed with two teams representing Box Hill; Box Hill United and Box Hill City. The Box Hill City Football Club was the fore-runner of the present day club and was the first to wear the brown and gold uniform associated with later Box Hill teams. In 1932 the Eastern Suburban Football League formed with Box Hill City as a foundation member. In 1935 Box Hill City merged with Box Hill East. Prior to the 1936 season Box Hill East, Box Hill District and Box Hill Methodists all merged to become the Box Hill Football Club and this event is now generally regarded as the formation of the present day Club.

ESFL (1936–1950)

The newly formed Box Hill Football Club played at Surrey Park in 1936 and competed in the Eastern Suburbs Football League (ESFL) "B" Grade; qualifying for the Grand Final but being defeated by Hartwell. Both Grand Finalists were promoted to "A" Grade for season 1937 and in its first season in the higher grade Box Hill again reached the Grand Final, this time being defeated by Auburn.

In 1938 the team moved to the newly constructed Box Hill City Oval after the land south of Whitehorse Road was acquired by the Box Hill Cemetery Trust. The new oval was designed and constructed by the City Engineer, Mr FW Kerr, and provided first class facilities including grand stand with changing rooms and covered races, recorder board, conveniences, committee rooms, timekeeper's box and a kiosk. Chain mesh partitions were provided for the "inner" and "outer" spectator viewing areas. At the time the ground was regarded as the equal of any in Victoria.

In 1939 the "A" Grade premiership was won but the team withdrew from the ESFL after 11 rounds of the 1940 season as the logistics of fielding a team became impossible due to players enlisting for the War effort. The ESFL itself went into recess from 1942 to 1944 before resuming in 1945. Box Hill won the 1945 and 1946 "East Section" premierships (with fuel restrictions in force in the years immediately after World War II, the ESFL divided into "East" and "West" sections to minimise travel). A third consecutive premiership was narrowly missed with the 1947 grand final being lost by 1 point to Mitcham. Box Hill was again defeated in the 1948 and 1949 grand finals, on each occasion by Ringwood. In 1950, in what was to prove Box Hill's final season in the ESFL, it lost the first semi-final to Tooronga by 1 point. During its 11 seasons in the ESFL, Box Hill only failed to qualify for the grand final on 3 occasions – 1938, 1940 (when the club withdrew mid-season) and 1950.

Towards the end of the 1940s the Victorian Football Association adopted an expansionist policy aimed at bringing senior football to the newer and younger suburbs of Melbourne, a policy that would see the VFA increase in numbers from twelve to twenty Clubs by the mid-1960s. The first two Clubs admitted under this new strategy were Box Hill and Moorabbin who, at the end of the 1950 season, were invited to field teams in the VFA for the 1951 season.

VFA (1951–1995)

The Box Hill Football Club made its debut in the VFA on Saturday 21 April 1951, at Preston. The team lost to Preston 7.9(51) to 16.14(110). Success did not come readily at first as the team largely based on its ESFL players and local juniors struggled to make the transition to senior football. The only premiership points gained during this first season were recorded in a drawn match against Williamstown at home in Round 13.

Improvement was steady during the early VFA years and the appointment of former Richmond champion and 1948 Brownlow Medallist Bill Morris as playing coach for the 1952 season proved to be an excellent choice. Morris attracted quality footballers to Box Hill and inspired the team through his own efforts. Morris played with Box Hill for three years and won the best and fairest by a huge margin each season and must still be regarded as one of the very best players ever to represent the club.

In 1956 Box Hill made its initial appearance in the VFA finals under captain-coach Col Austen. It defeated Brunswick in the first semi-final before losing to eventual premiers Williamstown in the preliminary final. Austen again guided the club into the finals in 1958, losing the first semi-final to Port Melbourne.

After the high points of 1956 and 1958, during the ensuing seasons Box Hill's performances began to decline. In 1960 the VFA was a single division of seventeen teams and Box Hill finished tenth. When divisional football was introduced for the 1961 season Box Hill therefore became the final club admitted to the newly formed ten team first division.

Box Hill finished last in the first division in 1961 and therefore became the first team to be relegated to the VFA second division. Divisional football was conducted in the VFA for 28 years from 1961 to 1988 and Box Hill played a total of 24 seasons in the second division (1962 to 1984, 1986). Only Northcote (25 seasons), Sunshine (25 seasons) and Mordialloc (withdrew 3 rounds into its 25th season) were in the lower division for a longer period of time.

In 1960 the VFA introduced Sunday football which, as the only professional sport played in Melbourne on a Sunday, soon developed a large following and became a financial boon for VFA clubs that hosted Sunday matches. Box Hill, a conservative club in a conservative municipality, at first vigorously opposed the introduction of Sunday football and refused to play Sunday games. Even when the club changed its stance and agreed to play on Sundays in 1966, the Box Hill City Council continued to refuse permission for the club to host Sunday matches at Box Hill City Oval. Box Hill did not gain Council's permission to play Sunday matches on its own ground until 1969, the final VFA club to do so. Generally the club struggled throughout the 1960s as it suffered financially by not being able to play Sunday Football at home. Through the 1960s, the club relied on a successful Saturday night dance that it hosted at the Box Hill Town Hall for most of its income. Box Hill finished fourth in the second division in 1962 but did not reach the finals again until 1969 when it also finished fourth.

It was around 1968 that the nickname the "Mustangs" was adopted by the Box Hill Football Club. When the Club joined the VFA it was known as the "White Horses" and for a brief period during the mid-1960s was known as the "Stranglers", an obscure name which did not catch on.

Box Hill's improved form during 1969 was the launching place for a successful 1970 season in which it played Coburg in its first VFA grand final. Box Hill finished third on the ladder and defeated Brunswick in the first semi-final and Sunshine in the preliminary final to qualify for the grand final. Its opponent Coburg had lost only twice during the course of the season but both of these losses were to Box Hill and the Mustangs were therefore given a good chance of winning promotion. Coburg took the lead early and were never seriously threatened thereafter, winning 20.17(137) to 16.11(107).

After missing the finals narrowly in 1971 and 1972, a financial crisis caused by the collapse of the club's Saturday night dance and promises of large player contracts led to Box Hill granting nearly all of its paid players open clearances prior to the 1973 season. This precipitated a horror nine-year period for the club; between 1973 and 1981 it played 162 games for 18 wins, 143 losses and 1 draw. During those nine seasons, Box Hill finished last five times and second last four times and failed to win a game in both the 1973 and 1977 seasons.

Box Hill reached its lowest point in November 1980 when the incumbent committee, burdened by huge accumulated debts and years of poor on-field performances, resigned and called a public meeting at which the club was to be disbanded unless a new committee could be formed. A new committee headed by former club President John Zigouras took over the administration of the club and immediately introduced two administrative reforms. Firstly, former Box Hill player Keith Ralph Jnr was appointed as general manager, making Box Hill the first VFA club to have a full-time, paid administrator. Secondly the club addressed its financial problems by becoming one of the first sporting clubs in Victoria to gain a permit to conduct bingo sessions.

Box Hill's financial position was stabilised in 1981 and thereafter the club's on-field performances improved rapidly culminating in an outstanding 1984 season in which Box Hill claimed its first VFA premiership in overwhelming fashion, losing only two games for the season and achieving the highest ever score and greatest winning margin ever recorded in a VFA grand final in defeating Oakleigh by 135 points, 32.23(215) to 11.14(80).

For Box Hill, in 1985 its first appearance in first division in 24 years unfortunately coincided with the VFA restructuring its competition. In mid-season it was announced that the bottom 3 teams on the first division ladder would be relegated, rather than the last placed club only. The result for Box Hill was that it immediately returned to second division after just 1 year back in the higher grade.

Box Hill responded by immediately claiming the 1986 second division premiership. It won the first 6 games of the season and thereafter maintained a place near the top of the ladder, finishing 2nd with just 3 losses. Box Hill defeated Sunshine in the second semi-final and again in the grand final to claim its 2nd premiership in 3 years. The grand final was closely fought with Box Hill steadying with the final 2 goals of the match to win by 18 points, 14.14(98) to 11.14(80). The grand final was marred by numerous spiteful incidents, with 6 Sunshine players reported on a total of 13 charges. Not one Box Hill player was reported.

Back in first division Box Hill steadily improved and between 1989 and 1994 experienced its most successful period during its years in the VFA competition, with 4 finals appearances in 6 years. In 1989 former Carlton premiership player Peter Francis guided the club to 3rd place, equalling its best VFA result to that time. In 1991 and 1992 Shane Molloy became the first coach to guide the Mustangs into consecutive finals series. In 1994 Box Hill finished 2nd on the ladder and reached its first major VFA grand final under the coaching of John Murphy. Box Hill established a 24-point lead at 3/4 time against the more favoured Sandringham team but was overrun in the final quarter, losing narrowly 10.9(69) to 11.12(78).

Box Hill's most successful VFA era ironically coincided with the decline of the VFA competition and its ultimate demise. (Refer to the article "Victorian Football Association" for more commentary on the factors contributing to the decline of the competition.) After a high point of 24 clubs in 1983, the competition had dwindled to only 12 clubs by the 1994 season and more significantly the central administration of the VFA was in severe financial difficulty. In order to avoid total collapse, the central administration of the VFA relinquished control of the VFA competition at the end of the 1994 season; it was transferred to the Victorian State Football League which had previously been responsible for establishing and administering the TAC Cup competition. The new administration disbanded the VFA Under 19s and did not offer Dandenong Redlegs, Oakleigh and Prahran licenses in the VFA competition for the 1995 season, leaving just 9 clubs to compete for the VFA premiership for the final time. Box Hill narrowly missed the finals in the last year of VFA competition, finishing 6th.

VFL years and Hawthorn alignment

The creation of the Australian Football League from the previous Victorian Football League in 1990 had left a structural void within the heartland of Australian rules football, with no Victorian state-based competition to provide a player pathway from the elite Under 18s TAC Cup competition.

In 1995 it was announced that a new state based competition would be formed, to be named the "Victorian Football League", as was its predecessor. Each Club would be linked to a TAC Cup Club and recruiting zone, of which there were to be 8 based in metropolitan Melbourne and 4 in regional Victoria. Initial speculation was that only some of the surviving VFA clubs would be invited, along with a number of stronger metropolitan and regional clubs. After a period of some uncertainty, all 9 remaining VFA clubs, along with North Ballarat and Traralgon were granted licences for the first season of the new VFL competition in 1996. Box Hill was granted the licence for the eastern zone of metropolitan Melbourne, with Eastern Ranges becoming its feeder club from the TAC Cup competition. Box Hill's results in the initial VFL years between 1996 and 1999 showed a club which remained competitive but not able to win enough games to qualify for the Finals.

At the end of the 1998 season, the administrations of the AFL and VFL adopted the recommendations of the "Busse Report", which recommended the amalgamation of the Victorian-based AFL reserves with the VFL competition into a revamped and stronger VFL commencing in season 2000. Victorian-based AFL clubs were to be permitted to participate in the VFL competition either by fielding its reserves teams or by entering into an "alignment" partnership with an existing VFL club, whereby the VFL club hosted players from the AFL club, effectively fielding a hybrid team.

Due to the complexities involved in finalising the details of such an arrangement, only 3 AFL clubs participated in an "alignment" partnership in the VFL in 2000. On 23 December 1999, Box Hill and Hawthorn created one of the first such partnerships, considered to be one of the more natural and logical of such arrangements, due to such factors as both clubs wearing brown and gold playing uniforms and Box Hill being geographically located within the heartland of Hawthorn's membership and supporter base. Moreover, Hawthorn's training base Glenferrie Oval was wholly unsuited to state league football, making the prospect of Hawthorn players playing at a quality suburban venue such as Box Hill City Oval an attractive one for that club. As part of the alignment partnership, Box Hill dropped its "Mustangs" nickname in favour of the "Hawks" nickname of Hawthorn but its brown and gold playing uniform with the large white horse emblem remained unchanged.[1]

The early years of the restructured VFL competition handed a considerable advantage to clubs which had entered into "alignment" partnerships; the blend of full-time, professional AFL listed players with a smaller number of VFL players on most occasions proved to be too strong for "stand alone" VFL clubs composed entirely of part-time, semi-professional footballers. Such was the case for the Box Hill Hawks, which between 2000 and 2005 completed the most successful period of its long history, with 6 consecutive finals appearances.

The Box Hill Hawks claimed its first major division VFL premiership in 2001 under the coaching of former North Melbourne player and Werribee coach Donald McDonald. After finishing the home-and-away season in 2nd place with 15 wins and 5 losses, it defeated Springvale and the Murray Kangaroos to claim a grand final berth against Werribee. Werribee had only lost two games for the season and had twice comfortably defeated the Box Hill Hawks during the home-and-away round, but Box Hill jumped Werribee early and by halfway through the 2nd quarter had established a lead of more than six goals which Werribee was unable to threaten. In the end the Box Hill won comfortably by 37 points, 13.13(91) to Werribee 7.12(54).

The Box Hill Hawks again played in the grand final in 2003 under the coaching of former Western Bulldogs champion and 1990 Brownlow Medallist Tony Liberatore. During the course of the season, the Box Hill Hawks established a club record of 13 consecutive wins, but after losing the qualifying final to Wiliamstown (Box Hill's 1,000th match in VFA/VFL competition), it defeated Werribee and Sandringham in knock-out finals to qualify for a grand final rematch against Wiliamstown. Wiliamstown, at that time aligned to Collingwood, fielded an unprecedented 16 AFL listed players in its grand final team and proved too strong for the Box Hill Hawks, which fought hard after it trailed by more than seven goals at half-time; Wiliamstown eventually prevailed by 29 points 13.14(92) to the Box Hill Hawks 9.9(63).

The 2004 season saw the Box Hill Hawks stage a dramatic mid-season turn around in its fortunes. Following a large turn-over of players after the 2003 grand final defeat, Box Hill lost the opening 6 games of the 2004 season under new coach Andy Collins and after 9 rounds was still last on the ladder with just 1 win. It then proceeded to win 12 games out of 13, winning its way through to the preliminary final before losing to Port Melbourne, just one victory away from a third grand final appearance in four seasons. The Box Hill Hawks made a 6th successive finals series in 2005 but bowed out in the first final, well beaten by Port Melbourne, and missed the finals for the next three years.

Box Hill returned the finals in 2009 for the first time since 2005 following a strong recruiting drive which yielded ex-Melbourne player Adem Yze and former AFL listed players Sam Iles and Ed Curnow. Under first-year coach Brendon Bolton, the team finished 5th on the ladder with 12 wins and 6 losses. It defeated Geelong in the First Elimination Final before narrowly losing an epic semi-final to Port Melbourne 19.10(124) to 19.14 (128) in a game rated as one of the best played in the VFL for many years.

The Box Hill Hawks built on its improved form in 2009 with another strong performance in 2010, again under the leadership of Brendon Bolton. After an indifferent start to the season, the team came home strongly with seven consecutive wins in the second half of the season to again finish 5th on the ladder. In circumstances uncannily reminiscent of the previous season, the Box Hill Hawks won its Elimination Final in strong fashion and again met Port Melbourne in the First Semi-final. In a tense match played in quagmire conditions on Port Melbourne's home ground; the Box Hill Hawks defeated Port Melbourne for the first time in a finals game 14.11(95) to 12.17(89); the winning goal coming in the dying seconds. North Ballarat ended the Box Hill Hawks season in the Preliminary Final the following week, the match played at Box Hill City Oval.

Under a new senior coach, Springvale games record holder Damian Carroll, the Box Hill Hawks experienced an inconsistent season in 2011, winning just 7 games and losing a number by narrow margins to fall into 8th place on the ladder and qualify for a 3rd successive finals appearance. With a severely weakened team due to Hawthorn resting a number of its A.F.L. players, the Box Hill Hawks fought hard in the Elimination Final against Werribee before going down by 26 points.

Records

Premierships
CompetitionLevelWinsYears Won
Victorian Football LeagueSeniors (Division 1)32001, 2013, 2018
Seniors (Division 2)21984, 1986
VFA/VFL ReservesDivision 152006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2016
VFA/VFL ThirdsDivision 221968, 1976
Eastern Suburbs Football LeagueA Grade11939
East Section21945, 1946
Finishing positions
Victorian Football League
(Division 1)
Minor premiership12015
Grand Finalists41994, 2003, 2014, 2015
Wooden spoons21951, 1961

Highs and lows

Seniors

Most consecutive wins13 (2003)
Most consecutive losses28* (1976 to 1978)
Highest scoreBox Hill 44.22(286) v Sunshine 6.12(48) (1983)
Lowest scoreBox Hill 2.4(16) v Sunshine 2.8(20) (1963)
Highest score againstWilliamstown 42.18(270) v Box Hill 13.16(94) (1985)
Lowest score againstDandenong 1.5(11) v Box Hill 17.16(118) (1958)
Greatest winning margin254 points: Box Hill 39.33(267) v Sunshine 2.1(13) (1984)
Greatest losing margin180 points: Box Hill 9.7(61) v Waverley 36.25(241) (1981)
Highest 1st Quarter14.3(87) v Williamstown (1978)
Highest 2nd Quarter13.5(83) v Sunshine (1983)
Highest 3rd Quarter13.4(82) v Brunswick/Broadmeadows (1991) (Match expunged)
13.3(81) v Sunshine (1984)
Highest 4th Quarter14.4(88) v Northcote (1986)
Most senior games180: Jack Wright (1951 to 1960)
Most senior goals340: Paul Bolton (1983 to 1990)
Most goals in a game12: Paul Bolton v Northcote (1986)
12: Paul Bolton v Frankston (1987)

Reserves

Most consecutive wins20 (2009 to 2010)
Most consecutive losses15 (1975 to 1976)
Highest scoreBox Hill 54.41(365) v Kilsyth 3.5(23) (1984)
Lowest scoreBox Hill 1.2(8) v Preston 26.19(175) (1985)
Highest score againstBrunswick 52.33(345) v Box Hill 2.3(15) (1973)
Lowest score againstBrighton 0.1(1) v Box Hill 27.22(184) (1960)
Greatest winning margin342 points: 54.41(365) v Kilsyth 3.5(23) (1984)
Greatest losing margin330 points: Box Hill 2.3(15) v Brunswick 52.33(345) (1973)

Thirds Grade – 1952 to 1994

Most consecutive wins20 (1976)
Most consecutive losses24 (1978 to 1979)
Highest scoreBox Hill 51.23(329) v Mordialloc 3.6(24) (1986)
Lowest scoreBox Hill 0.1(1) v Sunshine 18.13(121) (1969)
Highest score againstNorthcote 36.34(250) v Box Hill 2.6(18) (1980)
Lowest score againstCaulfield 0.0(0) v Box Hill 38.25(253) (1986)
Greatest winning margin315 points: 51.22(328) v Yarraville 2.1(13) (1983)
Greatest losing margin232 points: Box Hill 2.6(18) v Northcote 36.34(250) (1980)

Best and fairests

Seniors

1960Don BrownJJ Liston TrophyVFA
1961Doug BeasyJJ Liston TrophyVFA Division One
1973Geoff BryantJ Field MedalVFA Division Two
1975Geoff BryantJ Field MedalVFA Division Two
1984Peter NicholsonJ Field MedalVFA Division Two
2002Sam MitchellJJ Liston TrophyVFL
2013Mitch HallahanJJ Liston TrophyVFL
2014Alex WoodwardJJ Liston TrophyVFL

Reserves

1964Ivor WitnishDoug Disher MedalVFA Division Two
1966Fred BayesDoug Disher MedalVFA Division Two
1967Fred BayesDoug Disher MedalVFA Division Two
1971Fred BayesDoug Disher MedalVFA Division Two
1989Gary WoodsA Todd MedalVFA
1995Mark GottliebsenA Todd MedalVFA
2003Ryan CassidyA Todd MedalVFL
2009Joel CrossA Todd MedalVFL
2014Peter McEvoyA Todd MedalAFL Victoria Development League

Thirds

1962Bob HuntF Gomez MedalVFA Division Two
1964Geoff BryantF Gomez MedalVFA Division Two
1970Geoff O'ReillyF Gomez MedalVFA Division Two
1982Peter TresederF Gomez MedalVFA Division Two
1989Don VelonaAG Gillon MedalVFA
1994Anthony BennettAG Gillon MedalVFA

Record against other clubs

Seniors

playedwonlostdrawnhighestlowest
Present Clubs:
-v- Casey Demons64303428.13(181) (1983)3.9(27) (2011)
-v- Coburg813743126.5(161) (2015)5.7(37) (1996)
-v- Collingwood168823.15(153) (2012)7.15(57) (2010)
7.15(57) (2016)
-v- Essendon114718.18(126) (2001)7.9(51) (2018)
-v- Footscray852118.12(120) (2015)10.8(68) (2016)
-v- Frankston753836130.13(193) (2002)3.13(31) (2005)
-v- Geelong29191021.20(146) (2005)9.11(65) (2009)
-v- North Melbourne2211.7(73) (2018)
10.13(73) (2019)
11.7(73) (2018)
10.13(73) (2019)
-v- Northern Blues704028226.17(173) (1992)4.8(32) (1963)
-v- Port Melbourne772353126.13(169) (2006)3.4(22) (1953)
-v- Richmond94518.8(116) (2017)6.12(48) (2018)
-v- Sandringham754133125.20(170) (1954)5.8(38) (1961)
-v- Werribee91405129.24(198) (1972)3.6(24) (1996)
-v- Williamstown953260325.16(166) (1978)3.16(34) (1992)
Former Clubs:
-v- Bendigo Gold2517824.23(167) (2001)8.8(56) (2005)
-v- Berwick5534.32(236) (1986)13.22(100) (1983)
-v- Brighton2518727.16(178) (1960)5.10(40) (1952)
-v- Brunswick46123435.24(234) (1991)3.6(24) (1951)
-v- Camberwell623130131.26(212) (1989)5.12(42) (1951)
-v- Carlton4418.15(123) (2002)17.12(114) (2000)
17.12(114) (2001)
-v- Caulfield24131124.15(159) (1984)8.2(50) (1973)
-v- Dandenong22101224.20(164) (1986)6.10(46) (1991)
-v- Geelong West16411123.17(155) (1987)5.6(36) (1964)
-v- Gold Coast1119.16(130) (2010)19.16(130) (2010)
-v- Kilsyth5536.17(233) (1984)18.17(125) (1982)
-v- Moorabbin24101437.20(242) (1984)3.10(28) (1954)
-v- Mordialloc522029336.18(234) (1986)4.11(35) (1976)
-v- Murray Kangaroos5522.13(145) (2002)13.16(94) (2000)
-v- North Ballarat31161525.13(163) (2001)4.5(29) (1998)
-v- Northcote56154136.21(237) (1984)3.7(25) (1953)
-v- Oakleigh48202832.23(215) (1984)5.1(31) (1952)
-v- Prahran361617323.18(156) (1986)3.10(28) (1962)
-v- St Kilda1113.10(88) (2000)13.10(88) (2000)
-v- Sunshine471927144.22(286) (1983)2.4(16) (1963)
-v- Tasmania1265128.22(190) (2001)9.8(62) (2006)
-v- Traralgon43124.12(156) (1997)7.12(54) (1997)
-v- Waverley2461821.27(153) (1976)5.11(41) (1962)
6.5(41) (1981)
-v- Yarraville43133026.12(168) (1982)3.10(28) (1951)
Totals132159171020

Reserves

playedwonlostdrawnhighestlowest
-v- Bendigo Bombers101032.21(213) (2008)11.15(81) (2007)
-v- Berwick5529.25(199) (1983)13.11(89) (1983)
-v- Brighton2518732.23(215) (1960)4.8(32) (1951)
-v- Brunswick471234123.14(152) (1991)2.3(15) (1973)
-v- Camberwell633527149.22(316) (1990)2.13(25) (1973)
-v- Casey Demons73462733.15(213) (1992)1.7(13) (2011)
-v- Caulfield24141026.21(177) (1986)2.3(15) (1973)
-v- Coburg875135130.15(195) (2014)3.9(27) (1990)
-v- Dandenong2014633.19(217) (1993)4.9(33) (1962)
-v- Frankston905039135.26(236) (2011)3.8(26) (1973)
-v- Geelong West167954.29(343) (1987)5.9(39) (1972)
-v- Kilsyth54154.41(365) (1984)8.5(53) (1982)
-v- Moorabbin25131223.24(162) (1984)2.9(21) (1956)
-v- Mordialloc52252740.29(269) (1986)3.8(26) (1966)
-v- North Ballarat33181522.18(150) (2009)4.6(30) (1998)
-v- Northcote56154136.18(234) (1984)1.4(10) (1964)
-v- Northern Blues77473032.16(208) (2000)1.2(8) (1985)
-v- Oakleigh482423130.20(200) (1992)2.14(26) (1959)
-v- Port Melbourne803940128.22(190) (1987)3.8(26) (1954)
-v- Prahran37162134.24(228) (1994)4.11(35) (1965)
-v- Sandringham854241228.10(178) (2016)4.7(31) (1960)
-v- Sunshine45182744.24(288) (1989)4.10(34) (1965)
-v- Waverley2542132.17(209) (1984)5.8(38) (1980)
-v- Werribee975343128.17(185) (2016)4.3(27) (1973)
-v- Williamstown993364233.27(225) (1995)3.2(20) (1951)
-v- Yarraville43172634.20(224) (1983)2.3(15) (1952)
Totals126763062611

Thirds

playedwonlostdrawnhighestlowest
-v- Berwick4429.21(195) (1986)12.19(91) (1986)
-v- Brighton2120135.17(227) (1960)6.10(46) (1954)
-v- Brunswick41241742.24(276) (1989)3.2(20) (1956)
-v- Camberwell60402035.26(246) (1989)4.11(35) (1958)
-v- Caulfield2419538.25(253) (1986)6.5(41) (1973)
-v- Coburg331120231.17(203) (1994)1.9(15) (1974)
-v- Dandenong2114722.24(156) (1992)6.4(40) (1958)
-v- Frankston44232139.30(264) (1988)1.10(16) (1970)
-v- Geelong West1411347.27(309) (1987)7.10(52) (1967)
-v- Kilsyth5523.17(155) (1984)15.13(103) (1983)
-v- Moorabbin25111428.15(183) (1986)2.2(14) (1954)
-v- Mordialloc503613151.23(329) (1986)2.6(18) (1965)
-v- Northcote54292530.24(204) (1984)2.2(14) (1956)
-v- Oakleigh46262033.16(214) (1983)2.3(15) (1992)
-v- Port Melbourne2720743.29(287) (1992)1.5(11) (1952)
-v- Prahran3225741.17(263) (1994)4.14(38) (1964)
-v- Preston34122228.28(196) (1993)2.4(16) (1985)
-v- Sandringham2921828.23(191) (1989)5.11(41) (1956)
-v- Springvale2012831.20(206) (1993)4.5(29) (1987)
-v- Sunshine49202928.24(192) (1982)0.1(1) (1969)
-v- Waverley3062423.26(164) (1976)2.8(20) (1974)
-v- Werribee53272627.16(178) (1975)2.5(17) (1979)
-v- Williamstown37142326.10(166) (1988)3.6(24) (1955)
-v- Yarraville38251351.22(328) (1983)3.7(25) (1952)
Totals7914553333

Player records

100 career games

playergames playedyears played
Jack Wright1801951 to 1960
Keith White1711956 to 1967
Ian Bates1651959 to 1969
John Baker1551966 to 1976
David Mirra155*2010 to 2019
Victor Lawther1531974 to 1983
Keith Ralph Jnr1491966 to 1975; 1977 to 1980
Geoff Bryant1471964 to 1968; 1972 to 1976
Bruce Craig1461956 to 1963
Peter Nicholson1421983 to 1990
David Banfield1371988 to 1997
Ron Irvine1341952 to 1958
Laurie Zarafa1321989 to 1995
Geoff Withers1301978 to 1986
Doug Gleeson1271982 to 1990
Cliff Eade1251953; 1955 to 1961
Tony Brown1251984 to 1993
Colin Love1241952 to 1958
Bob Green1161951 to 1957
David Plunkett1151956 to 1961; 1963 to 1965
Alan Dickinson1151978 to 1984
Don Brown1131955 to 1960
Jarrod O'Neill1081989 to 1994; 1996; 1998
Cameron Crowley1061992 to 1999
Sam Gibson1032006 to 2011
Matthew Ball1022001 to 2007
Neil Gray1011960 to 1967
Mark Connolly1011975; 1977 to 1985
Darron Wilkinson1011993 to 1999

100 career goals

playergoalsgamesyears played
Paul Bolton340991983 to 1990
Darron Wilkinson2871011993 to 1999
Peter Nicholson2791421983 to 1990
John Salvado236821958 to 1964
Geoff Withers2051301978 to 1986
Geoff Bryant1941471964 to 1968; 1972 to 1976
Don Brown1821131955 to 1960
Laurie Zarafa1751321989 to 1995
Ian Bates1531651959 to 1969
Ted Laskie136651974 to 1978
Sam Grimley128692011 to 2015
Dale Carroll123211984 to 1985
Gary Smith122611969 to 1972
Greg Barnett118841966 to 1975
Alan Dickinson1181151978 to 1984
Dale Garth116851983 to 1988
Cameron Crowley1161061992 to 1999
Keith White1141711956 to 1967
David Buttifant113781989 to 1993
Les Thompson112661969 to 1972
Fergus Greene104372021 to 2023
Mark Kainey102491981 to 1987
Bill Morris101581952 to 1954
Colin Cruse101841979 to 1984

Seasons

Seniors

style=background:#F0E68CPremiersstyle=background:#C0BFBDGrand Finaliststyle=background:#D0E7FFMinor premiersstyle=background:#96CDCDFinals appearancestyle=background:#FFCCCCWooden spoonstyle=background:#FAECC8VFA/VFL leading goalkickerstyle=background:#DDFFDD VFA/VFL best and fairest
YearLeaguePresidentGeneral ManagerTreasurerCoachCaptainBest and fairest Leading goalkickerGoals
1936ESFL Bstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center"
1937ESFL Astyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center"
1938ESFL A
1939ESFL Astyle=background:#F0E68C; align="center"
1940ESFL AN/A
1941ESFL A
1942ESFL(No season)
1943ESFL(No season)
1944ESFL(No season)
1945style=background:#F0E68C; align="center"
1946style=background:#F0E68C; align="center"
1947style=background:#C0BFBD; align="center"
1948ESFLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center"
1949ESFLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center"
1950ESFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center"
1951VFAstyle=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 14th0191W.L. BassettS. FraserS. LaurieHarvey Dunn Sr.A. MihanR. GreenM. Maidment55
1952VFA13th2180W.L. BassettS. FraserS. SofferBill MorrisBill MorrisBill MorrisB. Coghlan27
1953VFA10th7130M.W. CaneS. FraserS. SofferBill MorrisBill MorrisBill MorrisT. Allen
A. Hochen
23
1954VFA8th9110M.W. CaneS. FraserS. SofferBill MorrisBill MorrisBill MorrisBill Morris57
1955VFA7th10100E.C. MiechelS. FraserA. DukeColin LoveColin LoveH. Dunn JnrD. Brown50
1956VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th1570E.C. MiechelS. FraserA. DukeCol AustenCol AustenColin LoveD. Brown51
1957VFA7th1190E.C. MiechelS. FraserA. DukeCol AustenColin LoveB. CraigR. Bennett36
1958VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1360E. HammondS. FraserA. DukeCol AustenColin LoveA. GoochD. Brown37
1959VFA10th8120E. HammondS. FraserD. MarshCol AustenR. TaylorB. CraigJohn Salvado43
1960VFA10th990E. HammondS. FraserD. MarshDoug BeasyDoug BeasyD. BrownJohn Salvado39
1961VFA D1style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th3181E. HammondS. FraserP. BurnsDoug BeasyDoug BeasyB. CraigJohn Salvado35
1962VFA D2style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th980E. HammondS. FraserP. BurnsDoug BeasyDoug BeasyB. CraigJohn Salvado33
1963VFA D25th961R. ShinebergD. MarshP. BurnsAlex GardinerAlex GardinerB. CraigJohn Salvado56
1964VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 8th4140R. ShinebergD. MarshE. MansfieldAlex GardinerAlex GardinerAlex GardinerA. Mace21
1965VFA D26th682R. ShinebergD. MarshE. MansfieldAlex GardinerAlex GardinerC. FellowsA. Mace31
1966VFA D25th972R. ShinebergA. MatthewsE. MansfieldAlex GardinerAlex GardinerI. BatesGeoff Bryant43
1967VFA D28th6120R. ShinebergE. MansfieldA. MatthewsAlex GardinerAlex GardinerG. FellowsC. Fellows44
1968VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th3140R. ShinebergE. MansfieldP. BurnsW. Arthur
B. Coghlan
I. BatesGeoff BryantGeoff Bryant23
1969VFA D2style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th9100R. ShinebergA. MatthewsP. BurnsJ. WalkerJ. WalkerTrevor DawsonJ. Walker57
1970VFA D2style=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 3rd1461R. HarrisA. MatthewsE. MansfieldG. IrelandG. IrelandJ. BakerG. Barnett38
1971VFA D25th8100R. HarrisK. Ralph SnrI. HansenTassie JohnsonTassie JohnsonL. Thompsonstyle=background:#FAECC8 Greg Barnett69
1972VFA D27th6120B. CoghlanK. Ralph SnrT. SmithK. McNameeK. McNameeK. Ralph JnrG. Smith53
1973VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th0180B. CoghlanR. HopperL. McQualterP. Langley
G. Ireland
K. Ralph JnrGeoff BryantP. Edwards22
1974VFA D29th4140B. CoghlanD. WanlessL. McQualterG. IrelandGeoff BryantA. CurtisW. Magill38
1975VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th1170J.N. ZigourasJ. DowsleyJ. BrownGeoff BryantGeoff Bryantstyle=background:#DDFFDD Geoff BryantE. Laskie43
1976VFA D29th6120J.N. ZigourasJ. DowsleyJ. MorganLes FooteGeoff BryantV. LawtherM. Gordon47
1977VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th0180J.N. ZigourasJ. DowsleyS. CrombW. Kirby
K. Smith
J. TuckwellG. CookE. Laskie33
1978VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th1161J.N. ZigourasK. Ralph SnrS. CrombK. SmithK. Ralph JnrM. ConnollyK. Ralph Jnr34
1979VFA D29th3150J.N. ZigourasK. Ralph SnrC. McGaryP. LangleyK. Ralph JnrColin CruseB. McLerie34
1980 VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th1170N. MooreJ. RichardsC. McGaryP. LangleyColin CruseS. HarperG. Withers40
1981 VFA D29th2160J.N. ZigourasK. Ralph JnrS. CrombPeter PettigrewPeter PettigrewPeter PettigrewG. Withers27
1982VFA D25th1080J.N. ZigourasK. Ralph JnrK. Ralph JnrEric MooreM. ConnollyS. WitnishEric Moore35
1983VFA D25th1161J.N. ZigourasK. Ralph JnrK. Ralph JnrEric MooreG. WithersPeter NicholsonP. Bolton49
1984 VFA D2style=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 1st1620J.N. ZigourasK. Ralph JnrG. RalphEric MooreG. Withersstyle=background:#DDFFDD Peter Nicholsonstyle=background:#FAECC8 Dale Carroll110
1985VFA D111th3141J.N. ZigourasE. SutherlandS. CrombEric MooreG. WithersS. TeakelPeter Nicholson33
1986VFA D2style=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 2nd1730W. WhiteE. SutherlandS. CrombRichard MurrieRichard MurrieD. BourkeP. Bolton55
1987VFA D19th4131W. WhiteE. SutherlandS. CrombHarold MartinMark TurnerPeter NicholsonP. Bolton65
1988VFA D17th8100J.N. ZigourasM. KaineyL. RobertsonHarold MartinMark TurnerD. PevittP. Bolton32
1989VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1651J.N. ZigourasM. KaineyL. RobertsonPeter FrancisPeter FrancisL. ZarafaP. Bolton77
1990VFA9th8100J.N. ZigourasMichael ReevesJ. UrePeter FrancisPeter FrancisMark LisleL. Zarafa41
1991VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1480J.N. ZigourasN. DalrympleJ. UreShane MolloyMark LisleL. ZarafaA. Byrne44
1992VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 5th1190J.N. ZigourasN. DalrympleJ. UreShane MolloyMark LisleC. WatsonStephen James28
1993 VFA6th1080J.N. ZigourasB. McMahonJ. UreJohn MurphyMark LisleD. BanfieldMark Erwin
Stephen James
35
1994 VFAstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 2nd1570J.N. ZigourasG. RandallJ. UreJohn MurphyD. BanfieldTim LivingstoneDarron Wilkinson75
1995 VFA6th880G.D. CohenG. RandallA. PantherJohn MurphyD. BanfieldZ. BadrockDarron Wilkinson37
1996 VFL10th6120G.D. CohenG. RandallJ. UreJohn MurphyD. BanfieldD. PayneDarron Wilkinson37
1997 VFL9th5121R.S. CollierG. RandallJ. UreJohn MurphyTim LivingstoneTim LivingstoneDarron Wilkinson30
1998 VFL9th5130R.S. CollierG. RandallJ. UreJohn MurphyDarron WilkinsonC. CrowleyDarron Wilkinson42
1999 VFL8th6111R.S. CollierG. RandallJ. UreB. MasonDarron WilkinsonAdam SlaterDarron Wilkinson38
2000 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 7th1370A.J. PinwillA. McDonaldJ. UreDonald McDonaldB. HartinM. BrewerS. Habberfield22
2001 VFLstyle=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 2nd1850A.J. PinwillL. JervisJ. UreDonald McDonaldM. BrewerJohn BairdM. Passador32
2002 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 7th1281A.J. PinwillA. PirchanJ. UreDonald McDonaldM. Brewerstyle=background:#DDFFDD Sam MitchellM. Passador67
2003 VFLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 3rd1660J.D. UreA. Pirchannot appointedTony LiberatoreAndrew PugsleyMatthew BallStephen Kenna45
2004 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 7th1290J.D. UreA. Pirchannot appointedAndrew CollinsC. AllewayS. BaileyC. Alleway35
2005 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 8th7120J.D. UreA. Pirchannot appointedAndrew CollinsC. AllewaySteven GreeneC. Alleway34
2006VFL10th6120J.D. UreA. Pirchannot appointedD. ChristensenK. HeightMatthew BallMatt Little35
2007VFL12th4131J.D. UreA. Pirchannot appointedD. ChristensenK. HeightNick SmithMatt Little35
2008 VFL11th6140J.D. UreA. Pirchannot appointedBarry MitchellA. NevilleStephen KennaBeau Dowler21
2009 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 5th1370J.D. UreA. Pirchannot appointedBrendon BoltonLukas Markovic
Stephen Kenna
Sam IlesCameron Pedersen35
2010 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 5th1380J.D. UreA. McLeishnot appointedBrendon BoltonStephen KennaEd CurnowSam Gibson31
2011 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 8th7120A.J. PinwillE. Fentonnot appointedDamian CarrollSam GibsonSam GibsonJordan Lisle27
2012 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 7th10100A.J. PinwillE. Fentonnot appointedDamian CarrollBeau Muston
Daniel Pratt
Tom SchneiderDaniel Pratt36
2013 VFLstyle=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 2nd1650A.J. PinwillPaul Barnardnot appointedDamian CarrollDaniel PrattKyle CheneyS. Grimley28
2014 VFLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 4th1551A.J. PinwillPaul Barnardnot appointedMarco BelloDavid MirraSam Ilesstyle=background:#FAECC8 Sam Grimley45
2015 VFLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 1st1650A.J. PinwillC. Nanninot appointedMarco BelloDavid MirraJonathan Simpkinstyle=background:#FAECC8 Sam Grimley46
2016 VFL10th7110A.J. PinwillC. Nanninot appointedMarco BelloDavid MirraDavid MirraBlake Hardwick
Teia Miles
Kade Stewart
16
2017style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 2nd1451A.J. PinwillD. Napolinot appointedChris NewmanDavid MirraMax WarrenTy Vickery27
2018style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 6th1660A.J. PinwillD. Napolinot appointedChris NewmanAndrew MooreAndrew MooreMitchell Lewis38
2019VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 8th991Ed SillD. Napolinot appointedMax BaileyAndrew MooreDavid MirraJ. Ross35
2020VFL(No season)Ed SillStephen Gilhamnot appointedMax BaileyDamian Mascitti(No season)
2021VFL3rd820Ed SillT. Tylernot appointedSam MitchellDamian Mascitti Damian MascittiFergus Greene30
2022VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 8th1180Ed SillPat Clanceynot appointedClint ProctorHugh BeasleyCallum PorterFergus Greene53
2023VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1560Ed SillPat Clanceynot appointedZane LittlejohnHugh Beasley/
Callum Porter
Callum BrownJaylon Thorpe36
2024VFLTBCEd SillPat Clanceynot appointedZane LittlejohnCallum Porter

Reserves

style=background:#F0E68CPremiersstyle=background:#C0BFBDGrand Finaliststyle=background:#D0E7FFMinor premiersstyle=background:#96CDCDFinals appearancestyle=background:#FFCCCCWooden spoonstyle=background:#FAECC8Reserves leading goalkickerstyle=background:#DDFFDD Reserves best and fairest
YearLeagueCoachCaptainBest and fairest Leading goalkickerGoals
1951VFA12th5150
1952VFA13th3161
1953VFA7th10100
1954VFA11th4142
1955VFA10th7130
1956VFAstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 2nd1670
1957VFA5th1460
1958VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1550
1959VFA5th1460
1960VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th1460
1961VFA D17th8130
1962VFA D25th6100
1963VFA D25th880
1964VFA D25th8100
1965VFA D27th3130
1966VFA D27th6120
1967VFA D29th4140
1968VFA D29th3140
1969VFA D29th4140
1970VFA D2style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th1171
1971VFA D2style=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 2nd1461
1972VFA D27th6120
1973VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th2160
1974VFA D28th5121
1975VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th2160
1976VFA D29th3150
1977VFA D29th6120
1978VFA D27th7110
1979VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th2160
1980 VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th2160
1981 VFA D28th5130
1982VFA D26th8100
1983VFA D26th1260
1984 VFA D2style=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 2nd1540
1985VFA D110th5130
1986VFA D2style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th1550
1987VFA D15th1080
1988VFA D19th5130
1989VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th1370
1990VFA9th990
1991VFA7th8110
1992VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th1270
1993 VFAstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 3rd1650
1994 VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1370
1995 VFAstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 5th1280
1996 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 5th8100
1997 VFL7th8100
1998 VFL8th7110
1999 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 6th1090
2000 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 2nd1550
2001 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1161
2002 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th1280
2003 VFL8th6120
2004 VFL7th891
2005 VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 5th991
2006VFLstyle=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 4th1480
2007VFLstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 5th1081
2008 VFLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 3rd1280
2009 VFLstyle=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 1st1730style=background:#FAECC8 Chris Hoegel49[2]
2010 VFLstyle=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 2nd1640
2011 VFLstyle=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 1st1820Marco BelloLuke Kitchin[3]
2012 VFL DLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 3rd1290Marco Bello[4]
2013 VFL DLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 2nd1361
2014 VFL DLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 2nd1360style=background:#FAECC8 Peter McEvoy56[5]
2015 VFL DLstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 1st1710
2016 VFL DLstyle=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 1st1530Jake Summersstyle=background:#FAECC8 Jake Summers 30[6]
2017style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd980Dale Hehir34

Thirds

style=background:#F0E68CPremiersstyle=background:#C0BFBDGrand Finaliststyle=background:#D0E7FFMinor premiersstyle=background:#96CDCDFinals appearancestyle=background:#FFCCCCWooden spoonstyle=background:#FAECC8Thirds leading goalkickerstyle=background:#DDFFDD Thirds best and fairest
YearLeagueCoachCaptainBest and fairest Leading goalkickerGoals
1952VFA11th5120
1953VFA6th1160
1954VFA5th1151
1955VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1450
1956VFA8th890
1957VFA9th6110
1958VFA6th960
1959VFA8th980
1960VFAstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 1st1520
1961VFA D1style=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 1st1640
1962VFA D25th780
1963VFA D2style=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 2nd1431
1964VFA D2style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1360
1965VFA D28th3130
1966VFA D27th7110
1967VFA D25th8100
1968VFA D2style=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 2nd1720
1969VFA D28th4140
1970VFA D25th1170
1971VFA D2style=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 1st1650style=background:#FAECC8 Peter Richardson85
1972VFA D26th990
1973VFA D25th1080
1974VFA D28th4140
1975style=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 4th1560
1976VFA D2style=background:#F0E68C; align="center" 1st2000Greg Parry
1977VFA D25th1170
1978VFA D28th5130
1979VFA D2style=background:#FFCCCC; align="center" 10th0180
1980 VFA D29th5130
1981 VFA D27th8100
1982VFA D2style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th1180
1983VFA D2style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th1550style=background:#FAECC8 John O'Neil154
1984 VFA9th1070
1985VFA14th8110
1986VFA D2style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1640
1987VFA D18th7110
1988VFA D1style=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1270
1989VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 1st1451
1990VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd1560
1991VFAstyle=background:#C0BFBD; align="center" 1st1930
1992VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 5th1180
1993 VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 2nd1370
1994 VFAstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 5th1360

Women's

style=background:#F0E68CPremiersstyle=background:#C0BFBDGrand Finaliststyle=background:#D0E7FFMinor premiersstyle=background:#96CDCDFinals appearancestyle=background:#FFCCCCWooden spoonstyle=background:#FAECC8VFLW leading goalkickerstyle=background:#DDFFDD Lambert–Pearce Medal
YearLeagueCoachCaptainBest and fairestLeading goalkickerGoals
2017VFLW8th3110Patrick HillMelissa KuysEmma MackieEmily Gilder17[7]
2023VFLWstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 4th842Cherie O'NeillNicole Garnerstyle=background:#DDFFDD Jordan MifsudMaddie Boyd
Mietta Kendall
7[8]
2024VFLWstyle=background:#96CDCD; align="center" 3rd851Michael EricsonTamara Luke

VFL/AFL players

The following are players who have played at least 1 VFL/AFL game or are currently on an AFL list and yet to play an AFL game:

PlayerDraftDrafted ByPlayed WithTotal
AFL Games
Andy Goodwin1987 NationalRichmondRichmond (56 games)
Melbourne (17 games)
73
Peter Bourke1988 NationalEssendonEssendon (1 game)
Fitzroy (22 games)
23
Grant Lawrie1989 NationalSt KildaFitzroy (151 games)
St Kilda (17 games)
168
Ron De Iulio1991 NationalCarltonCarlton104
Tim Livingstone1992 Mid-YearRichmondRichmond8
Jarrod Molloy1993 NationalFitzroy
(father/son rule)
Fitzroy (59 games)
Brisbane (61 games)
Collingwood (49 games)
169
Andrew Nichol1995 Pre-SeasonFootscrayFootscray3
Matthew Bishop1997 RookieMelbourneMelbourne (18 games)
Port Adelaide (132 games)
150
Troy Simmonds1999 Pre-SeasonMelbourneMelbourne (40 games)
Fremantle (64 games)
Richmond (93 games)
197
Simon Godfrey1999 NationalMelbourneMelbourne105
Sam Mitchell2001 NationalHawthornHawthorn (307 games)
West Coast Eagles (22 games)
329
John Baird2002 RookieKangaroosKangaroos46
Michael Firrito2003 RookieKangaroosKangaroos275
Matthew Ball2003 NationalHawthornHawthorn17
Stephen Kenna2003 NationalCarltonCarlton5
Laurence Angwin2003 RookieCarltonCarlton4
Michael Rix2004 RookieHawthornSt Kilda29
Simon Taylor2004 NationalHawthornHawthorn85
Cameron Howat2005 RookieRichmondRichmond21
Ben McGlynn2005 RookieHawthornHawthorn (44 games)
Sydney (127 games)
171
Lukas Markovic2009 NationalWestern BulldogsWestern Bulldogs29
Sam Iles2009 RookieGold Coast SunsCollingwood (7 games)
Gold Coast Suns (26 games)
33
Ed Curnow2010 RookieCarltonCarlton204*
Cameron Pedersen2010 RookieNorth MelbourneNorth Melbourne (16 games)
Melbourne (64 games)
80
Robert Campbell2010 RookieMelbourneHawthorn116
Jarrad Boumann2011 NationalHawthornHawthorn2
Sam Gibson2011 RookieNorth MelbourneNorth Melbourne (130 games)
Adelaide (5 games)
135
Adam Pattison2011 RookieHawthornRichmond (61 games)
St Kilda (5 games)
66
Matt Jones2012 DraftMelbourneMelbourne61
Sam Collins2015 AFL draftFremantleFremantle (14 games)
Gold Coast Suns (59 games*)
81*
Sam Switkowski2017 AFL draftFremantleFremantle46*
David Mirra2017 rookie draftHawthornHawthorn11
Ned Reeves2019 pre-season supplementary selection periodHawthornHawthorn17*
Lachlan Bramble2021 pre-season supplemental selection periodHawthornHawthorn19*
Jai Newcombe2021 mid-season rookie draftHawthornHawthorn29*
James Blanck2022 mid-season rookie draftHawthornHawthorn9*
Ryan Maric2023 mid-season rookie draft
Clay Tucker2023 mid-season rookie draft
Ethan Stanley2023 mid-season rookie draft

All games totals to the end of the 2022 season.

The following players were drafted from Box Hill but did not play an AFL game: Ashley Byrne (Brisbane – 1991 Mid-Season Draft); Paul Mullarvey (Fitzroy – 1993 National Draft); Matthew Penny (Carlton – 1993 Pre-Season Draft); Michael Georgiadis (Hawthorn – 2002 Rookie Draft); Clinton Alleway (North Melbourne – 2003 Rookie Draft); Doug Scott (Hawthorn – 2004 Pre-Season Draft); Kristan Height (Hawthorn – 2005 Rookie Draft).

"Greatest Ever Team"

(as announced in 2000, covering period 1951 to 2000)

BackJack Wright
(180 games, 32 goals)
David Banfield
(137 games, 5 goals)
John Baker
(155 games, 87 goals)
Half-BackCliff Eade
(125 games, 63 goals)
Bruce Craig
(146 games, 34 goals)
Ron Irvine
(133 games, 3 goals)
CentreKeith White
(171 games, 109 goals)
Geoff Bryant
(147 games, 195 goals)
Alex Gardiner
(73 games, 61 goals)
Half ForwardPeter Nicholson
(142 games, 279 goals)
David Plunkett
(114 games, 91 goals)
Ian Bates
(165 games, 156 goals)
ForwardDon Brown
(113 games, 181 goals)
Paul Bolton
(99 games, 340 goals)
Darron Wilkinson
(101 games, 287 goals)
FollowersBill Morris
(58 games, 101 goals)
Tim Livingstone
(77 games, 74 goals)
Laurie Zarafa
(132 games, 175 goals)
InterchangePeter Bourke
(83 games, 65 goals)
Doug Gleeson
(127 games, 74 goals)
Mark Lisle
(84 games, 45 goals)
Colin Love
(124 games, 24 goals)
CaptainAlex Gardiner
Vice-CaptainBill Morris
CoachEric Moore

"Box Hill Hawks All Stars"

(as announced on 24 August 2019 to celebrate 20 seasons of the Box Hill – Hawthorn Alignment 2000 to 2019)

BackTaylor DuryeaLukas MarkovicMichael Firrito
Half-BackKyle CheneyDavid MirraMatthew Brewer
CentreSam IlesSam MitchellEd Curnow
Half ForwardSam GibsonClinton AllewayBrendan Whitecross
ForwardStephen KennaCameron PedersenMichael Osborne
FollowersRobert CampbellJosh KennedyBen McGlynn
InterchangeMatthew BallKristan HeightAndrew Moore
Brad SewellMitch O'Donnell (23rd player)
CaptainDavid Mirra
CoachDamian Carroll

In popular culture

Club song

The club song is identical to the Hawthorn Football Club song, except that "Box Hill" is substituted for "Hawthorn", and is sung to the tune of the Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Women's team

Box Hill were granted a license to compete in the VFL Women's league in 2017. The club won three out of fourteen games in the 2017 season. The license was transferred to AFL-aligned club, who participated in the league under that name from 2018 to 2022, winning the premiership in the 2018 season. In 2023, following Hawthorn's ascension to the AFL Women's competition, the VFLW license was returned to Box Hill, and the club has played under that name in the league ever since.[9]

Jumpers

1936−1974

Brown jumper with a gold vee and small white horse emblem on left hand breast. The white horse emblem was added prior to the 1938 season, coinciding with the club's move from Surrey Park to Box Hill City Oval.

1975−2011

Prior to the 1975 season, the VFA encouraged a number of its member Clubs to adopt a more colourful playing uniform to coincide with the introduction of colour television to Australia. Box Hill adopted its iconic and most widely recognised jumper, consisting of gold and brown vertical thirds (brown in the middle), with a brown back, gold numbers, and a large white "Wild Mustang" logo in the centre of the front of the jumper.

2012−present

Box Hill adopted the identical jumper to its AFL affiliate Hawthorn, the only difference being that the white "Wild Mustang" logo was retained, located in the centre of the front of the jumper and approximately half the size that it was previously.[10]

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Haby . Peter . Celebrating 25 years between Box Hill and Hawthorn . Hawthorn Football Club . 13 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240613082800/https://www.hawthornfc.com.au/news/1576629/celebrating-25-years-between-box-hill-and-hawthorn . 13 June 2024 . 12 June 2024.
  2. Web site: Box Hill Hawks Football Club Ltd – 59th Annual Report 2009 . Box Hill Hawks . 22 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240404015225/https://boxhillhawks.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Box-Hill-Hawks-Football-Club-Limited-59th-Annual-Report-2009.pdf . 4 April 2024.
  3. Web site: Our History . Box Hill Hawks . 22 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240622061510/https://boxhillhawks.com.au/our-history/ . 22 June 2024 . 2011 Box Hill Hawks Development team win a third consecutive Premiership, defeating Coburg in the Grand Final 18.10 (118) to 7.11 (53). Captain Luke Kitchin won the Fred Hill Medal for best on ground..
  4. Web site: All new for Box Hill coach Newman . GameDay . VFL . 22 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240622061720/https://websites.mygameday.app/assoc_page.cgi?client=0-118-0-0-0&sID=60264&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=48910374 . 22 June 2024 . 21 October 2016 . He also coached the Hawks to a Development League premiership in 2011 and the Development League Grand Final in 2012..
  5. Web site: Waterworth . Ben . Peter McEvoy’s journey from horrific accident to make VFL senior debut alongside older brother Ben . Herald Sun . 22 June 2024 . 4 September 2014 . Peter McEvoy kicked 56 goals in the development league this season.
  6. Web site: Prime . Toby . VFL Development League premiership captain Jake Summers fears players will fall out of talent pathway . Herald Sun . 22 June 2024 . 2 August 2017.
  7. Web site: Peter-Budge . Sean . 2017 Best & Fairest Re-Cap . Box Hill Hawks . 22 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240622082849/https://boxhillhawks.com.au/2017-best-fairest-re-cap/ . 22 June 2024 . 9 October 2017.
  8. Web site: Peter-Budge . Sean . 2023 Col Austen Trophy . Box Hill Hawks . 22 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240622082534/https://boxhillhawks.com.au/2023-col-austen-trophy/ . 22 June 2024 . 30 September 2023.
  9. Web site: Hawks' VFLW licence transferred to Box Hill. afl.com.au. 24 November 2022.
  10. News: Club jumps into Hawthorn stripes at Box Hill. Conor. Ryan. 23 November 2011. 26 November 2011. Leader.