List Update
The Box Hill Hawks’ 2022 campaign begins in earnest this Saturday afternoon, as Clint Proctor’s charges take on Frankston in a practice match.
The contest, which will take place at Parade College in Bundoora, marks the first of four pre-season hit-outs for the Hawks, all of which will prove vital in the lead-up to round one.
“We’re looking forward to playing some footy,” said Daniel Napoli, Box Hill’s GM – VFL and VFLW.
“It’s cliche, but every pre-season feels like a long wait and a lot of hard work to get your program to this point.”
“This next month is important in a number of ways. It’s a great platform for Clint Proctor and his assistants to fine tune the on-field side of things in the build-up to round one.
“It’s a key block for our strength and conditioning team, lead brilliantly by Dylan Vizzarri, to take what’s been a strong pre-season and shift our group in game mode.
“And, lastly, it’s an opportunity for myself and Stephen Greene, our Head of Recruiting and Opposition, to assess the balance of our list and put the finishing touches on our 2022 squad.
“If they’re fit and able to play, we’ve every intention of giving a lot of boys a look in over the next month, starting with tomorrow against Frankston.”
In terms of the list build, VFL rules permit aligned teams to carry 30 listed players at any one time. Box Hill currently have 27 registered players for the coming year.
In an exciting look to the future, Napoli and the Hawks have committed to signing at least one player from each of the Eastern Ranges and Gippsland Power each and every year moving forward.
The move is a further consolidation of and commitment to a development pathway the Club hopes will provide opportunities for talented youngsters to kick-start the next phase of their football journeys.
Additionally, it will strengthen ties between Box Hill, Eastern Ranges and Gippsland Power.
“Its an initiative I’m really proud of,” Napoli said.
“The Box Hill Hawks exist, at every level of the Club, to develop our people. Whether you’re in administration, a coach, a member of our support staff or a player, we’re committed to preparing our people for the next steps of their journey or career.
“Just last season we had Jai Newcombe come through the door. Un-drafted and top aged, he trained the house down, won his way into our side and by half-way through the year was on an AFL list.
“We also welcomed the likes of Eastern’s Jake Arundell and Gippsland’s Luis D’Angelo down to City Oval late in the year. We’re pleased those two have returned for 2022.
“We believe in and are enthusiastic about what this will mean for the clubs in question, the players themselves and the Box Hill Hawks for years to come.
Further, Napoli and the Hawks will extend opportunities to as many as five development “train on” prospects to join up with the squad in 2022.
Although ineligible to play for Box Hill, these players will maintain ties with their NAB League or local clubs, while training with and enjoying the benefits of the Box Hill football program.
“COVID has complicated the development pathways of a number of talented kids across the country, but particularly in Victoria.
“In assessing our needs for 2022 Stephen Greene and I quickly realised there’s a generation of kids who’ve had their development stalled, but still have so much to learn and give if afforded the platform.
“The players themselves don’t yet know how good they could be, so we’ll bring them in, place them in our Academy program and support the coaching they’ve gotten to this point.
“We identified Harry Banfield, Jack Hume, Sahaf Ali, Jack Rossimel and Jayden Eales as a great fit for these academy positions.
“Again, this is about opportunity and development – two things the Box Hill Hawks are built on.”
Box Hill will finalise its list in the coming weeks, with the final 30-man roster to be published in due course.
List overview
Ins: James Parsons (Carlton VFL), Ben Cavarra (Western Bulldogs), Jed Rule (Oakleigh Chargers), Jaylon Thorpe (Williamstown), Will Sexton (Oakleigh Chargers), Flynn Lakey (Calder Cannons), Campbell Tweedie (Old Brighton), Max Hall (Eastern Ranges), James O’Connor (Eastern Ranges), Lachlan Wynd (Rowville), Mason Hawkins (Gippsland Power), Liam Coughlan (Doncaster), Will Garner (Blackburn)
Re-signings: Mason De Wit, James Blanck, Jordan Cunico, Cal Porter, Ed Phillips, Hugh Beasley, Charlie Beasley, Fergus Greene, Vincent Adduci, Stu Horner, Luis D’Angelo, Damian Mascitti, Jake Arundell, Cayden Maki
Academy: Harry Banfield, Jack Hume, Sahaf Ali, Jack Rossimel, Jayden Eales
Outs: Brayden Kilpatrick, Lachie Walker, Riley Bowman, Josh Deluca, Mackenzie Doreian, Jesse Cucinotta, Trent Mynott, Mihaele Zalac, Chayce Black, Elliot Le Grice, Josh Le Grice, Jamieson Rossiter, Adrian Kalcovski, Trent Warren
