Collins Commits For 2021

The Box Hill Hawks are delighted to announce Andrew Collins has accepted the position of Senior Assistant Coach and will join the Club in preparation for the 2021 season.

A three-time AFL premiership player in the Brown & Gold, ‘Collo’ previously coached the Box Hill Hawks for two seasons in 2004-2005.

Collins returns to City Oval with an impressive coaching resume which includes premiership-winning stints in charge of Sandringham and Williamstown, as well as VFL rivals Coburg and West Adelaide in the SANFL.

“It’s a great opportunity to return to a club that I have a lot of love and respect for.” Collins said.

“I’ve enjoyed every moment of my coaching journey and havebeen very fortunate to work with some amazing players, staff and coaches over the last 23 years.

“You can never quite tell where football will take you, but to come back home at this stage of my career to take on such an important role is exciting.”

Collins will assist Sam Mitchell as he navigates his maiden campaign at the helm, providing an experienced perspective and wealth of knowledge to the first-time Senior Coach.

As such, Collins role will be about more than developing the Club’s young playing group – something he has a remarkable track record of doing. Collins will also provide leadership and mentoring for coaches across the Hawks’ VFL and VFLW programs.

“I look forward to taking all of my experiences and learnings I’ve accrued during my time in the game and pay them forward to the next generation of players and coaches.

“I take great pride in the relationships I’ve built at Williamstown, West Adelaide, Coburg and Sandringham, but here’s a chance to influence and help a new group of players, coaches and staff.

“I can’t wait for it to begin.”

Club President Ed Sill believes the addition of Collins will yield positive results both on and off-field as the Club embarks on an exciting new era.

“It’s always a great result when you can add a person the quality of Andrew Collins to your football club,” Sill said.

“Andrew is proven at this level, with his recent record at Williamstown testament to his skills as a development focused, results driven coach.

“His on-field record is one thing, having guided the Seagulls to six successive preliminary finals, but his off-field successes in preparing players for the top level is another.

“In Andrew we have a coach whose passions and priorities align with ours: achieving on-field success and providing the best possible platform for our people to go as far as they can in this great game.

“We’re thrilled to be able to call on his experience to better our playing and coaching groups, knowing he’ll be a wonderful asset to both.”