Hawks Locked In for Season Opener
The Box Hill Hawks are set to kick off their 2026 campaign this Friday, taking on the Sydney Swans at the home of the Hawthorn Football Club, Kennedy Community Centre.
It marks the first meeting between the two sides since Round 5 of the 2024 VFL season, where the Hawks delivered a strong performance at Box Hill City Oval. On that occasion, Box Hill claimed a 27-point victory, finishing 15.12 (102) to 11.9 (75), and they’ll be looking to carry that momentum into Friday’s season opener.
The Hawks enter 2026 with a refreshed leadership group, headlined by captain Stu Horner. He will be supported by vice-captains Kye Declase and Trent Bianco, alongside Corey Preston and Blake Simondson, forming a strong core of on-field leaders to guide the squad this season.
There’s plenty of excitement around the club’s new recruits, with B McLaughlin, B Tennant, A Lukic, N Baring, S Sofrinidis, J Galstians, T Swainston, K McGrath and W Pewtress all in line to make their mark in the brown and gold throughout 2026.
Squad: Round 1 Box Hill Hawks v Sydney Swans
H. Morrison (1), C. Dear (13), F. Maginness (20), N. Mraz (21), C. Nairn (22), B. Ryan (26), W. McCabe (27), A. Schubert (29), C. Anderson (32), J. Dalton (34), O. Greeves (35), M. Ramsden (38), F. Perez (39), M. Hill (41), B. Macdonald (42), J. Uhr-Henry (43), Kye Declase (53), L. Ward (54), T. Bianco (58), Stu Horner (62), T. Brown (66), T. Farrer (76), W. Pewtress (79)
Emergencies:
G. Julian (52), B. Tennant (56), A. Lukic (60), J. Baldwin (72), B. Simondson (74), W. Kellar (78)
