A Favourite Son Returns

Box Hill Hawks are pleased to welcome back two-time premiership player Anthony Brolic for the 2020 VFL season.

Brolic returns to City Oval having spent 2019 wearing the brown and gold of Rowville in the EFL Premier League, placing third in the competition’s Chandler Medal and winning selection in the team of the year.

The former Eastern Ranges prospect and versatile midfielder enjoyed great success during his initial three-year spell with the Club and returns looking to add to an impressive resume.

The one-time custodian of the number seven guernsey played a leading hand in the 2016 Development League premiership, kicking a game-high six goals on Grand Final day; was named to the 2017 VFL Team of the Year; and capped his first stint with further premiership glory, this time at senior level, in the Club’s successful 2018 campaign.

When the Eastern Football Netball League voted to abandon their senior seasons in early June, Brolic reached out to Hawks’ senior coach Max Bailey and a short chat was all it took to get the ball rolling on a return.

“I messaged ‘Maxy’ because my season [got cancelled], to see if the VFL was going ahead,” Brolic said.

“He said it looked like it was… and asked if I’d like to come back, and I said I’d love to.

“When the opportunity arose it was a no-brainer to come back to this Club… it’s like coming back home, I guess.”

With restrictions on the use of AFL-listed players competing in state league competitions, the reunion loomed as a win-win for player and Club.

“2020 has presented a unique and unprecedented set of challenges for our community and competition,” said Daniel Napoli, Hawks’ General Manager – VFL & VFLW Football

“However, we were always committed to fielding a team and competing in the revamped 2020 season.

“That involved identifying a handful of players who could complement the list management work done late last year, and Anthony was one of those names.

“In ‘Brol’ we have someone with strong ties to the Club, who is a proven performer at this level and who we’re thrilled to welcome back.

“The Box Hill Hawks’ DNA has always been about providing opportunity and development for our players, and Anthony’s time with us is that philosophy in practice.

“It’s exciting to have him re-join training and we look forward to seeing him take the field.”

Whilst all levels of the code tackle the uncertainty of COVID—19, for Brolic his objectives and motivations remain simple: get back into training ahead of a fourth season for the Hawks, get to know his new teammates and play the best footy he can.

“I’m preparing like any other season. It’s obviously an opportunity to showcase what I’ve got – and to play at the highest level I can is still an aspiration,” Brolic said.

“The group I’m in, not knowing many people, is a little challenging within drills, but over the next couple of weeks I’ll get to know more names and get into it.”