Box Hill Hawks
Encyclopedia
Box Hill Hawks Football Club is an Australian rules football club playing in the Victorian Football League
. It has an alliance with the Hawthorn Football Club
which plays in the Australian Football League
.
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 November 1936 this team amalgamated with Box Hill East to become the Box Hill Football Club and this event is now generally regarded as the formation of the present day Club.
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. Extensive earthworks created the magnificent viewing amphitheatre that we see today. At the time the ground was regarded as the equal of any in Victoria.
The new Box Hill Football Club won the ESFL "B" Grade premiership in its first season (1937) and was runner-up in the "A" Grade the next season. In 1939 the inaugural "A" Grade premiership was won and during the ensuing years the team was a powerful member of the ESFL, making five successive grand final appearances from 1945 to 1949, with premierships in 1945 and 1946. A third consecutive premiership was narrowly missed with the 1947 grand final being lost by 1 point to Mitcham.
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 to 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.
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 Medal
list 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 holds the unwanted record of playing the most seasons in the second division, 24 in total (1962 to 1984, 1986).
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 over-run 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.
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
Reserve Grade competition 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. Box Hill and Hawthorn
created one of the very 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.
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 2 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 half-way through the 2nd quarter had established a lead of more than 6 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 Medal
list 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 Colingwood
, 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 7 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 3rd grand final appearance in 4 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
.
The Box Hill Hawks missed the finals in both 2006 and 2007, slipping to 2nd last on the ladder in 2007 with just 4½ wins. In 2006 Box Hill's reserves team claimed the club's first VFA / VFL
premiership in that grade after 5 previous unsuccessful grand finals appearances. Box Hill triumphed over Williamstown
10.11(71) to 8.11(59), inflicting the only defeat on the Williamstown
reserves team for the season.
The Box Hill Hawks entered the 2008 season under a new coach in Barry Mitchell
and in the 9th year of its partnership with Hawthorn
. After starting the season disastrously with 9 consecutive losses, the Club won 6 of its final 11 matches to rise to 11th on the ladder. The Reserves team played in its 2nd grand final in 3 years, losing to Williamstown
by 31 points.
The Box Hill Hawks senior team played in 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. Box Hill Reserves topped the ladder for the first time ever, played in its 3rd grand final in 4 years and claimed a 2nd Premiership in that time by defeating Sandringham 16.18(114) to 13.8(86). At the end of 2009 Sam Iles and Lukas Markovic were drafted onto AF.L. lists.
The Box Hill Hawks built on it’s improved form in 2009 with another strong performance in 2010, again under the leadership of Brendan 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 it’s Elimination Final in strong fashion and again met Port Melbourne in the First Semi-Final. In tense a 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. The Box Hill Hawks Reserves became the first ever Box Hill team to claim back-to-back Premierships in the V.F.A. / V.F.L.; defeating Williamstown 17.19(121) to 16.9(105) in a high standard game also played at Box Hill City Oval. At the end of 2010 Brendon Bolton was appointed as an assistant coach by the Hawthorn Football Club while Ed Curnow, Robert Campbell and Cameron Pedersen were drafted onto A.F.L. Club lists.
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 it’s A.F.L. players, the Box Hill Hawks fought hard in the Elimination Final against Werribee before going down by 26 points. Box Hill captain Sam Gibson won the Club Champion award for the first time and passed the milestone of 100 senior games during the season. The Box Hill Hawks Reserves topped the ladder losing just two games for the season and claimed an unprecedented 3rd consecutive premiership, outclassing the Coburg Tigers 18.10(118) to 7.11(53) in the grand final. Dylan Van Unen and Leigh Kitchin by playing in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 reserve grade premiership teams became the first players in Box Hill’s long history to play in 3 premierships.
Reserve Grade – 1951 to 2011
Thirds Grade – 1952 to 1994
* Sequence of losses ended by a draw followed by 4 further losses, i.e. 33 matches without a win.
* Denotes Finals appearance
* General Manager from 1981
* Indicates AFL listed player in 2011.
All games totals to end of 2011 season.
Box Hill's most traditional guernsey, in use from 1975–2011, consisted of yellow and brown vertical thirds (brown in the middle), with a brown back, yellow numbers, and a small white mustang in the centre of the front of the guernsey. This guernsey was in use even after Box Hill had become known as the Hawks in 2000; with the guernsey change in 2012, the mustang logo will be retained as a small feature over the breast.
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
. It has an alliance with the Hawthorn Football Club
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
which plays in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Early Australian rules football in Box Hill – 1903 to 1936
Organised Australian rules football within the municipality of Box HillBox Hill, Victoria
Box Hill is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 14 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the City of Whitehorse. At the 2006 Census, Box Hill had a population of 8,616....
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
Box Hill City Oval
Box Hill City Oval is an Australian rules football and cricket stadium located in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. It is the home ground of the Box Hill Hawks Football Club which plays in the VFL and the Box Hill Cricket Club....
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 November 1936 this team amalgamated with Box Hill East to become the Box Hill Football Club and this event is now generally regarded as the formation of the present day Club.
Eastern Suburbs Football League years – 1937 to 1950
In 1937 the team moved to the newly constructed Box Hill City OvalBox Hill City Oval
Box Hill City Oval is an Australian rules football and cricket stadium located in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. It is the home ground of the Box Hill Hawks Football Club which plays in the VFL and the Box Hill Cricket Club....
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. Extensive earthworks created the magnificent viewing amphitheatre that we see today. At the time the ground was regarded as the equal of any in Victoria.
The new Box Hill Football Club won the ESFL "B" Grade premiership in its first season (1937) and was runner-up in the "A" Grade the next season. In 1939 the inaugural "A" Grade premiership was won and during the ensuing years the team was a powerful member of the ESFL, making five successive grand final appearances from 1945 to 1949, with premierships in 1945 and 1946. A third consecutive premiership was narrowly missed with the 1947 grand final being lost by 1 point to Mitcham.
Towards the end of the 1940s the Victorian Football Association
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former 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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
increase in numbers to 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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
for the 1951 season.
VFA years – 1951 to 1995
The Box Hill Football Club made its debut in the VFAVictorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
on Saturday 21 April 1951, at Preston. The team lost to Preston
Northern Bullants
Northern Blues Football Club is a long-established Australian rules football club based in Preston and currently playing in the Victorian Football League representing the central and outer areas of Melbourne...
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
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
at home in Round 13.
Improvement was steady during the early VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
years and the appointment of former Richmond
Richmond Football Club
The Richmond Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club which competes in the Australian Football League. Richmond shares healthy rivalries with Carlton, Collingwood and Essendon. After winning five premierships between 1967 and 1980, the club hit the depths in 1990,...
champion and 1948 Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
list Bill Morris
Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer)
William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman....
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
finals under captain-coach Col Austen
Col Austen
Colin 'Col' Austen was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the VFL from 1941 to 1943 and then again from 1946 to 1949. He then played for the Richmond Football Club from 1950 to 1952....
. It defeated Brunswick
Brunswick Football Club
Brunswick Football Club was an Australian rules football club which played in the VFA from 1897 until 1990. They were originally nicknamed the Pottery Workers before being renamed the Magpies and were based in Brunswick, Victoria. The club wore black and white guernseys...
in the first semi-final before losing to eventual premiers Williamstown
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
in the preliminary final. Austen again guided the club into the finals in 1958, losing the first semi-final to Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne Football Club
The Port Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Borough, is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Port Melbourne and is currently playing in the Victorian Football League ....
.
After the high points of 1956 and 1958, during the ensuing seasons Box Hill's performances began to decline. In 1960 the VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
second division. Divisional football was conducted in the VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
for 28 years from 1961 to 1988 and Box Hill holds the unwanted record of playing the most seasons in the second division, 24 in total (1962 to 1984, 1986).
In 1960 the VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
City of Box Hill
The City of Box Hill was a Local Government Area located about east of Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria, Australia. The city covered an area of , and existed from 1927 until 1994.-History:...
continued to refuse permission for the club to host Sunday matches at Box Hill City Oval
Box Hill City Oval
Box Hill City Oval is an Australian rules football and cricket stadium located in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. It is the home ground of the Box Hill Hawks Football Club which plays in the VFL and the Box Hill Cricket Club....
. Box Hill did not gain Council's permission to play Sunday matches on its own ground until 1969, the final VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Box Hill Town Hall
The Box Hill Town Hall is a landmark civic building located on Whitehorse Road, Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. Designed in the Neo-Grec style by architects JS Gawler and JCA Isbett, the town hall was built between 1934 and 1935...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
grand final. Box Hill finished third on the ladder and defeated Brunswick
Brunswick Football Club
Brunswick Football Club was an Australian rules football club which played in the VFA from 1897 until 1990. They were originally nicknamed the Pottery Workers before being renamed the Magpies and were based in Brunswick, Victoria. The club wore black and white guernseys...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
grand final in defeating Oakleigh
Oakleigh Football Club
Oakleigh Football Club, nicknamed the Devils, was an Australian rules football club from Oakleigh which played in the VFA from 1929 until 1994...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
competition, with 4 finals appearances in 6 years. In 1989 former Carlton
Carlton Football Club
The Carlton Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club based in Melbourne, Victoria. The club competes in the Australian Football League, and was one of the eight founding members of that competition in 1897...
premiership player Peter Francis
Peter Francis
Peter William Francis was a British volcanologist specialising in the study of active volcanoes on both the Earth and other planets in our solar system...
guided the club to 3rd place, equalling its best VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
result to that time. In 1991 and 1992 Shane Molloy
Shane Molloy
Shane Molloy is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League .Molloy, recruited from Macleod-Rosanna, was a back pocket player. He made his Fitzroy debut at Princes Park, in a loss to Footscray, who were celebrating Ted Whitten's 300th game...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
grand final under the coaching of John Murphy
John Murphy (Australian rules footballer)
John Murphy was a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .- Playing career :...
. Box Hill established a 24 point lead at 3/4 time against the more favoured Sandringham team but was over-run in the final quarter, losing narrowly 10.9(69) to 11.12(78).
Box Hill's most successful VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
era ironically coincided with the decline of the VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
was in severe financial difficulty. In order to avoid total collapse, the central administration of the VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
relinquished control of the VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
competition. The new administration disbanded the VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
Under 19s and did not offer Dandenong Redlegs
Dandenong Football Club
Dandenong Football Club was an Australian rules football club which played in the Victorian Football Association . Based in the Melbourne suburb of Dandenong, the Redlegs wore navy blue and red as their club colours.-History:...
, Oakleigh
Oakleigh Football Club
Oakleigh Football Club, nicknamed the Devils, was an Australian rules football club from Oakleigh which played in the VFA from 1929 until 1994...
and Prahran
Prahran Football Club
Prahran Football Club, nicknamed The Two Blues, is an Australian rules football club based at Toorak Park in Orrong Road between High Street and Malvern Road, Armadale, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Since 2007, the club has competed in D1 Section of the Victorian Amateur Football Association...
licenses in the VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
competition for the 1995 season, leaving just 9 clubs to compete for the VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
premiership for the final time. Box Hill narrowly missed the finals in the last year of VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
competition, finishing 6th.
VFL years – 1996 to 2010
The creation of the Australian Football LeagueAustralian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
from the previous Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
in 1990 had left a structural void within the heartland of Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
, with no Victorian state based competition to provide a player pathway from the elite Under 18s TAC Cup
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
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
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
Clubs would be invited, along with a number of stronger metropolitan and regional Clubs. After a period of some uncertainty, all 9 remaining VFA
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
Clubs, along with North Ballarat
North Ballarat Football Club
North Ballarat Football Club, nicknamed The Roosters, is an Australian rules football club based at Northern Oval in Ballarat. The club is locally known as the Roosters and plays in the Victorian Football League are current competition premiers and one of only four clubs based outside of Melbourne...
and Traralgon were granted licences for the first season of the new VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
competition in 1996. Box Hill was granted the licence for the eastern zone of metropolitan Melbourne, with Eastern Ranges
Eastern Ranges
The Eastern Ranges are an Australian rules football team in the TAC Cup.The club is a founding member of the TAC Cup competition and has produced several players for the Australian Football League including Nick Malceski, David Wirrpanda, Jess Sinclair, Damian Cupido, Lindsay Gilbee, Travis Cloke,...
becoming its feeder club from the TAC Cup
TAC Cup
The TAC Cup is an under 18 Australian rules football representative competition held in Victoria, Australia. It is based on geographic regions throughout country Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne with each team representing 12 Victorian regions....
competition. Box Hill's results in the initial VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
and VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
adopted the recommendations of the "Busse Report", which recommended the amalgamation of the Victorian
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
-based AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
Reserve Grade competition with the VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
competition into a revamped and stronger VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
commencing in season 2000. Victorian
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
based AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
clubs were to be permitted to participate in the VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
competition either by fielding its reserves teams or by entering into an "alignment" partnership with an existing VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
club, whereby the VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
club hosted players from the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
club, effectively fielding a hybrid team.
Due to the complexities involved in finalising the details of such an arrangement, only 3 AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
clubs participated in an "alignment" partnership in the VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
in 2000. Box Hill and Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
created one of the very 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
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
membership and supporter base. Moreover, Hawthorn's
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
training base Glenferrie Oval
Glenferrie Oval
Glenferrie Oval is an Australian rules football stadium located in Hawthorn, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.It is the historic home of and is synonymous with the Hawthorn Football Club, who played there from 1903 and as a VFL/AFL club from 1925–1973, and retained the ground as an...
was wholly unsuited to state league football, making the prospect of Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
players playing at a quality suburban venue such as Box Hill City Oval
Box Hill City Oval
Box Hill City Oval is an Australian rules football and cricket stadium located in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. It is the home ground of the Box Hill Hawks Football Club which plays in the VFL and the Box Hill Cricket Club....
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
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
but its brown and gold playing uniform with the large white horse emblem remained unchanged.
The early years of the restructured VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
competition handed a considerable advantage to clubs which had entered into "alignment" partnerships; the blend of full-time, professional AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
listed players with a smaller number of VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
players on most occasions proved to be too strong for "stand alone" VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
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
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
premiership in 2001 under the coaching of former North Melbourne
Kangaroos Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
player and Werribee
Werribee Football Club
The Werribee Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club, based in Werribee, was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. Werribee was defeated by the Sandringham Football Club in the 2005 VFL Grand Final.-History:The Werribee Football Club...
coach Donald McDonald. After finishing the home-and-away season in 2nd place with 15 wins and 5 losses, it defeated Springvale
Casey Scorpions
The Casey Scorpions Football Club is an Australian rules football club in the Victorian Football League . The club was founded in 1903 as the Springvale Football Club and played under the name Springvale. In its history it has won 21 premierships...
and the Murray Kangaroos to claim a grand final berth against Werribee
Werribee Football Club
The Werribee Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club, based in Werribee, was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. Werribee was defeated by the Sandringham Football Club in the 2005 VFL Grand Final.-History:The Werribee Football Club...
. Werribee
Werribee Football Club
The Werribee Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club, based in Werribee, was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. Werribee was defeated by the Sandringham Football Club in the 2005 VFL Grand Final.-History:The Werribee Football Club...
had only lost 2 games for the season and had twice comfortably defeated the Box Hill Hawks during the home-and-away round, but Box Hill jumped Werribee
Werribee Football Club
The Werribee Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club, based in Werribee, was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. Werribee was defeated by the Sandringham Football Club in the 2005 VFL Grand Final.-History:The Werribee Football Club...
early and by half-way through the 2nd quarter had established a lead of more than 6 goals which Werribee
Werribee Football Club
The Werribee Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club, based in Werribee, was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. Werribee was defeated by the Sandringham Football Club in the 2005 VFL Grand Final.-History:The Werribee Football Club...
was unable to threaten. In the end the Box Hill won comfortably by 37 points, 13.13(91) to Werribee
Werribee Football Club
The Werribee Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club, based in Werribee, was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. Werribee was defeated by the Sandringham Football Club in the 2005 VFL Grand Final.-History:The Werribee Football Club...
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 Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
list Tony Liberatore
Tony Liberatore
Anthony "Tony" Liberatore is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray in the Australian Football League ....
. 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
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
(Box Hill's 1,000th match in VFA/VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
competition), it defeated Werribee
Werribee Football Club
The Werribee Football Club, nicknamed The Tigers, is an Australian rules football club, based in Werribee, was formed in 1965 and currently plays in the Victorian Football League. Werribee was defeated by the Sandringham Football Club in the 2005 VFL Grand Final.-History:The Werribee Football Club...
and Sandringham in knock-out finals to qualify for a grand final rematch against Wiliamstown
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
. Wiliamstown
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
, at that time aligned to Colingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
, fielded an unprecedented 16 AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
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 7 goals at half-time; Wiliamstown
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
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
Port Melbourne Football Club
The Port Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Borough, is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Port Melbourne and is currently playing in the Victorian Football League ....
, just one victory away from a 3rd grand final appearance in 4 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
Port Melbourne Football Club
The Port Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Borough, is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Port Melbourne and is currently playing in the Victorian Football League ....
.
The Box Hill Hawks missed the finals in both 2006 and 2007, slipping to 2nd last on the ladder in 2007 with just 4½ wins. In 2006 Box Hill's reserves team claimed the club's first VFA / VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
premiership in that grade after 5 previous unsuccessful grand finals appearances. Box Hill triumphed over Williamstown
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
10.11(71) to 8.11(59), inflicting the only defeat on the Williamstown
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
reserves team for the season.
The Box Hill Hawks entered the 2008 season under a new coach in Barry Mitchell
Barry Mitchell (footballer)
Barry Mitchell is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Sydney Swans, Carlton and Collingwood in the Australian Football League ....
and in the 9th year of its partnership with Hawthorn
Hawthorn Football Club
The Hawthorn Football Club, nicknamed the Hawks, is a professional Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League . The club, founded in 1902, is the youngest of the Victorian-based teams in the AFL. The team play in Brown & Gold vertically striped guernseys...
. After starting the season disastrously with 9 consecutive losses, the Club won 6 of its final 11 matches to rise to 11th on the ladder. The Reserves team played in its 2nd grand final in 3 years, losing to Williamstown
Williamstown Football Club
The Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
by 31 points.
The Box Hill Hawks senior team played in the finals in 2009 for the first time since 2005 following a strong recruiting drive which yielded ex-Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
player Adem Yze
Adem Yze
Adem Yze is an Australian rules footballer of Albanian descent. He was educated at Galvin Park Secondary College in Werribee, Victoria...
and former AFL listed players Sam Iles
Sam Iles
Sam Iles is an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood and is currently playing for Gold Coast in the Australian Football League .-Football career:...
and Ed Curnow
Ed Curnow
Edward Curnow is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.-Career:A midfielder, Curnow played his junior football for Modewarre in the Bellarine Football League and school football for The Geelong College in the APS, before playing TAC Cup football for the Geelong Falcons...
. Under first-year coach Brendon Bolton, the team finished 5th on the ladder with 12 wins and 6 losses. It defeated Geelong
Geelong Football Club
The Geelong Football Club, nicknamed The Cats, is a professional Australian rules football club, named after and based in the city of Geelong, playing in the Australian Football League . The club has been the VFL/AFL premiers nine times, with a record equalling 3 in the AFL era. Geelong has also...
in the First Elimination Final before narrowly losing an epic semi-final to Port Melbourne
Port Melbourne Football Club
The Port Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Borough, is an Australian rules football club based in the Melbourne suburb of Port Melbourne and is currently playing in the Victorian Football League ....
19.10(124) to 19.14 (128) in a game rated as one of the best played in the VFL
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
for many years. Box Hill Reserves topped the ladder for the first time ever, played in its 3rd grand final in 4 years and claimed a 2nd Premiership in that time by defeating Sandringham 16.18(114) to 13.8(86). At the end of 2009 Sam Iles and Lukas Markovic were drafted onto AF.L. lists.
The Box Hill Hawks built on it’s improved form in 2009 with another strong performance in 2010, again under the leadership of Brendan 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 it’s Elimination Final in strong fashion and again met Port Melbourne in the First Semi-Final. In tense a 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. The Box Hill Hawks Reserves became the first ever Box Hill team to claim back-to-back Premierships in the V.F.A. / V.F.L.; defeating Williamstown 17.19(121) to 16.9(105) in a high standard game also played at Box Hill City Oval. At the end of 2010 Brendon Bolton was appointed as an assistant coach by the Hawthorn Football Club while Ed Curnow, Robert Campbell and Cameron Pedersen were drafted onto A.F.L. Club lists.
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 it’s A.F.L. players, the Box Hill Hawks fought hard in the Elimination Final against Werribee before going down by 26 points. Box Hill captain Sam Gibson won the Club Champion award for the first time and passed the milestone of 100 senior games during the season. The Box Hill Hawks Reserves topped the ladder losing just two games for the season and claimed an unprecedented 3rd consecutive premiership, outclassing the Coburg Tigers 18.10(118) to 7.11(53) in the grand final. Dylan Van Unen and Leigh Kitchin by playing in the 2009, 2010 and 2011 reserve grade premiership teams became the first players in Box Hill’s long history to play in 3 premierships.
VFA / VFL Grand Final appearances
Senior Grade – 1951 to 2011| Grand Final Scores | ||
| Premiers | 1984 (VFA second division) 1986 (VFA second division) 2001 (VFL) |
Box Hill 32.23(215) defeated Oakleigh 11.14(80) Box Hill 14.14(98) defeated Sunshine 11.14(80) Box Hill Hawks 13.13(91) defeated Werribee 7.12(54) |
| Runners-up | 1970 (VFA second division) 1994 (VFA) 2003 (VFL) |
Box Hill 16.11(107) lost to Coburg 20.17(137) Box Hill 10.9(69) lost to Sandringham 11.12(78) Box Hill Hawks 9.9(63) lost to Williamstown 13.14(92) |
Reserve Grade – 1951 to 2011
| Grand Final Scores | ||
| Premiers | 2006 (VFL) 2009 (VFL) 2010 (VFL) 2011 (VFL) |
Box Hill Hawks 10.11(71) defeated Williamstown 8.11(59) Box Hill Hawks 16.18(114) defeated Sandringham 13.8(86) Box Hill Hawks 17.20(122) defeated Williamstown 16.9(105) Box Hill Hawks 18.10(118) defeated Coburg Tigers 7.11(53) |
| Runners-up | 1956 (VFA) 1971 (VFA second division) 1984 (VFA second division) 1993 (VFA) 1995 (VFA) 2008 (VFL) |
Box Hill 4.7(31) lost to Williamstown 14.16(100) Box Hill 14.9(93) lost to Brunswick 15.15(105) Box Hill 9.12(66) lost to Brunswick 17.13(115) Box Hill 5.7(37) lost to Sandringham 11.13(79) Box Hill 6.13(49) lost to Springvale 10.16(76) Box Hill Hawks 11.16(82) lost to Williamstown 16.17(113) |
Thirds Grade – 1952 to 1994
| Grand Final Scores | ||
| Premiers | 1968 (VFA second division) 1976 (VFA second division) |
Box Hill 15.9(99) defeated Sunshine 13.13(91) Box Hill 27.15(177) defeated Sunshine 13.10(88) |
| Runners-up | 1960 (VFA) 1961 (VFA first division) 1963 (VFA second division) 1971 (VFA second division) 1975 (VFA second division) 1991 (VFA) |
Box Hill 7.6(48) lost to Preston 12.8(80) Box Hill lost to Coburg (scores unknown) Box Hill 6.11(47) lost to Sunshine 9.10(64) Box Hill 8.8(56) lost to Sunshine 14.15(159) Box Hill 12.14(86) lost to Waverley 20.21(141) Box Hill 4.19(43) lost to Frankston 11.10(76) |
VFA / VFL highs and lows
| Most consecutive wins | Seniors 13 (2003) Reserves 20 (2009–2010) Thirds 23 (1976–1977) |
| Most consecutive losses | 28* (1976 to 1978) |
| Highest score | Box Hill 44.22(286) v Sunshine 6.12(48) (1983) |
| Lowest score | Box Hill 2.4(16) v Sunshine 2.8(20) (1963) |
| Highest score against | Williamstown 42.18(270) v Box Hill 13.16(94) (1985) |
| Lowest score against | Dandenong 1.5(11) v Box Hill 17.16(118) (1958) |
| Greatest winning margin | 254 points: Box Hill 39.33 (267) v Sunshine 2.1(13) (1984) |
| Greatest losing margin | 180 points: Box Hill 9.7(61) v Waverley 36.25(241) (1981) |
| Most senior games | 180: Jack Wright (1951 to 1960) |
| Most senior goals | 340: Paul Bolton (1983 to 1990) |
| Most goals in a game | 12: Paul Bolton v Northcote (1986) 12: Paul Bolton v Frankston (1987) |
* Sequence of losses ended by a draw followed by 4 further losses, i.e. 33 matches without a win.
VFA / VFL Best and Fairests
| 1960 | Don Brown | JJ Liston Trophy | VFA |
| 1961 | Doug Beasy Doug Beasy Doug Beasy is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .Beasy made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in the Round 1 of the 1951 season. He left the Blues at the end of the 1959 season.... |
JJ Liston Trophy | VFA first division |
| 1973 | Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... |
J Field Medal | VFA second division |
| 1975 | Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... |
J Field Medal | VFA second division |
| 1984 | Peter Nicholson | J Field Medal | VFA second division |
| 2002 | Sam Mitchell Sam Mitchell (footballer) Samuel Mitchell is an Australian rules football player for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League .- Debut season :... |
JJ Liston Trophy | VFL |
VFA / VFL record against other clubs – 1951 to 2010
| played | won | lost | drawn | highest | lowest | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present Clubs: | ||||||
| -v- Bendigo Bombers | 19 | 14 | 5 | — | 24.23(167) (2001) | 8.8(56) (2005) |
| -v- Casey Scorpions | 50 | 23 | 27 | — | 28.13(181) (1983) | 5.5(35) (1988) |
| -v- Coburg Tigers | 67 | 24 | 42 | 1 | 23.16(154) (1994) | 5.7(37) (1996) |
| -v- Collingwood | 5 | 2 | 3 | — | 15.19(109) (2000) | 7.15(57) (2010) |
| -v- Frankston | 64 | 27 | 36 | 1 | 30.13(193) (2002) | 3.13(31) (2005) |
| -v- Geelong | 16 | 11 | 5 | — | 21.20(146) (2005) | 9.11(65) (2009) |
| -v- Gold Coast | 1 | 1 | — | — | 19.16(130) (2010) | 19.16(130) (2010) |
| -v- North Ballarat | 22 | 10 | 12 | — | 25.13(163) (2001) | 4.5(29) (1998) |
| -v- Northern Blues | 58 | 31 | 25 | 2 | 26.17(173) (1992) | 4.8(32) (1963) |
| -v- Port Melbourne | 61 | 17 | 44 | — | 26.13(169) (2006) | 3.4(22) (1953) |
| -v- Sandringham | 60 | 28 | 32 | — | 25.20(170) (1954) | 5.8(38) (1961) |
| -v- Werribee | 75 | 34 | 41 | — | 29.24(198) (1972) | 3.6(24) (1996) |
| -v- Williamstown | 77 | 21 | 53 | 3 | 25.16(166) (1978) | 3.16(34) (1992) |
| Former Clubs: | ||||||
| -v- Berwick | 5 | 5 | — | — | 34.32(236) (1986) | 13.22(100) (1983) |
| -v- Brighton | 25 | 18 | 7 | — | 27.16(178) (1960) | 5.10(40) (1952) |
| -v- Brunswick | 46 | 12 | 34 | — | 35.24(234) (1991) | 3.6(24) (1951) |
| -v- Camberwell | 62 | 31 | 30 | 1 | 31.26(212) (1989) | 5.12(42) (1951) |
| -v- Carlton | 4 | 4 | — | — | 18.15(123) (2002) | 17.12(114) (2000) 17.12(114) (2001) |
| -v- Caulfield | 24 | 13 | 11 | — | 24.15(159) (1984) | 8.2(50) (1973) |
| -v- Dandenong | 22 | 10 | 12 | — | 24.20(164) (1986) | 6.10(46) (1991) |
| -v- Essendon | 3 | 1 | 2 | — | 18.18(126) (2001) | 12.10(82) (2002) |
| -v- Geelong West | 16 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 23.17(155) (1987) | 5.6(36) (1964) |
| -v- Kilsyth | 5 | 5 | — | — | 36.17(233) (1984) | 18.17(125) (1982) |
| -v- Moorabbin | 24 | 10 | 14 | — | 37.20(242) (1984) | 3.10(28) (1954) |
| -v- Mordialloc | 52 | 20 | 29 | 3 | 36.18(234) (1986) | 4.11(35) (1976) |
| -v- Murray Kangaroos | 5 | 5 | — | — | 22.13(145) (2002) | 13.16(94) (2000) |
| -v- Northcote | 56 | 15 | 41 | — | 36.21(237) (1984) | 3.7(25) (1953) |
| -v- Oakleigh | 48 | 20 | 28 | — | 32.23(215) (1984) | 5.1(31) (1952) |
| -v- Prahran | 36 | 16 | 17 | 3 | 23.18(156) (1986) | 3.10(28) (1962) |
| -v- Richmond | 1 | 1 | — | — | 13.16(94) (2000) | 13.16(94) (2000) |
| -v- St Kilda | 1 | 1 | — | — | 13.10(88) (2000) | 13.10(88) (2000) |
| -v- Sunshine | 47 | 19 | 27 | 1 | 44.22(286) (1983) | 2.4(16) (1963) |
| -v- Tasmania | 12 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 28.22(190) (2001) | 9.8(62) (2006) |
| -v- Traralgon | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | 24.12(156) (1997) | 7.12(54) (1997) |
| -v- Waverley | 24 | 6 | 18 | — | 21.27(153) (1976) | 5.11(41) (1962) 6.5(41) (1981) |
| -v- Yarraville | 43 | 13 | 30 | — | 26.12(168) (1982) | 3.10(28) (1951) |
| Totals | 1140 | 481 | 642 | 17 |
VFA / VFL season by season record – 1951 to 2010
| Year | Played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points For |
Points Against |
Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | 20 | — | 19 | 1 | 1122 | 2340 | 14/14 | |
| 1952 | 20 | 2 | 18 | — | 1228 | 1856 | 13/14 | |
| 1953 | 20 | 7 | 13 | — | 1371 | 1703 | 10/14 | |
| 1954 | 20 | 9 | 11 | — | 1582 | 1459 | 8/14 | |
| 1955 | 20 | 10 | 10 | — | 1449 | 1559 | 7/14 | |
| 1956 | 22 | 15 | 7 | — | 1528 | 1251 | 3/14* | |
| 1957 | 20 | 11 | 9 | — | 1654 | 1506 | 7/14 | |
| 1958 | 19 | 13 | 6 | — | 1552 | 1167 | 4/16* | |
| 1959 | 20 | 8 | 12 | — | 1590 | 1623 | 10/16 | |
| 1960 | 18 | 9 | 9 | — | 1381 | 1430 | 10/17 | |
| 1961 | 22 | 3 | 18 | 1 | 1454 | 2276 | 10/10 | (Division One) |
| 1962 | 17 | 9 | 8 | — | 1309 | 1329 | 4/8* | (Division Two) |
| 1963 | 16 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 1103 | 1078 | 5/9 | (Division Two) |
| 1964 | 18 | 4 | 14 | — | 1263 | 1487 | 8/8 | (Division Two) |
| 1965 | 16 | 6 | 8 | 2 | 1204 | 1434 | 6/9 | (Division Two) |
| 1966 | 18 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 1701 | 1465 | 5/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1967 | 18 | 6 | 12 | — | 1577 | 1805 | 8/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1968 | 17 | 3 | 14 | — | 1214 | 1611 | 10/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1969 | 19 | 9 | 10 | — | 1720 | 2043 | 4/10* | (Division Two) |
| 1970 | 21 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 2323 | 2094 | 2/10* | (Division Two) |
| 1971 | 18 | 8 | 10 | — | 2002 | 1845 | 5/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1972 | 18 | 6 | 12 | — | 1979 | 2099 | 7/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1973 | 18 | — | 18 | — | 1475 | 2568 | 10/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1974 | 18 | 4 | 14 | — | 1460 | 2190 | 9/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1975 | 18 | 1 | 17 | — | 1578 | 2229 | 10/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1976 | 18 | 6 | 12 | — | 1835 | 2392 | 9/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1977 | 18 | — | 18 | — | 1450 | 2889 | 10/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1978 | 18 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 1638 | 2606 | 10/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1979 | 18 | 3 | 15 | — | 1673 | 2710 | 9/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1980 | 18 | 1 | 17 | — | 1535 | 2623 | 10/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1981 | 18 | 2 | 16 | — | 1568 | 2777 | 9/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1982 | 18 | 10 | 8 | — | 2043 | 2128 | 5/10 | (Division Two) |
| 1983 | 18 | 11 | 6 | 1 | 2457 | 1695 | 5/12 | (Division Two) |
| 1984 | 18 | 16 | 2 | — | 2974 | 1579 | 1/11* | (Division Two) |
| 1985 | 18 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 1616 | 2566 | 11/12 | (Division One) |
| 1986 | 20 | 17 | 3 | — | 2742 | 1449 | 1/12* | (Division Two) |
| 1987 | 18 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 1672 | 1968 | 9/10 | (Division One) |
| 1988 | 18 | 8 | 10 | — | 1616 | 2011 | 7/10 | (Division One) |
| 1989 | 22 | 16 | 5 | 1 | 2843 | 2061 | 3/14* | |
| 1990 | 18 | 8 | 10 | — | 2273 | 2149 | 9/14 | |
| 1991 | 22 | 14 | 8 | — | 2491 | 2178 | 3/12* | |
| 1992 | 20 | 11 | 9 | — | 2022 | 1691 | 4/12* | |
| 1993 | 18 | 10 | 8 | — | 1852 | 1880 | 6/12 | |
| 1994 | 22 | 15 | 7 | — | 2480 | 1807 | 2/12* | |
| 1995 | 16 | 8 | 8 | — | 1288 | 1479 | 6/9 | |
| 1996 | 18 | 6 | 12 | — | 1355 | 1784 | 10/11 | |
| 1997 | 18 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 1324 | 1521 | 9/11 | |
| 1998 | 18 | 5 | 13 | — | 1404 | 1746 | 9/11 | |
| 1999 | 18 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 1636 | 1821 | 8/11 | |
| 2000 | 20 | 13 | 7 | — | 1996 | 1796 | 7/18* | |
| 2001 | 23 | 18 | 5 | — | 2498 | 1716 | 1/16* | |
| 2002 | 21 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 2296 | 1821 | 7/16* | |
| 2003 | 22 | 16 | 6 | — | 2095 | 1737 | 2/13* | |
| 2004 | 21 | 12 | 9 | — | 1869 | 1818 | 4/13* | |
| 2005 | 19 | 7 | 12 | — | 1540 | 1777 | 8/13* | |
| 2006 | 18 | 6 | 12 | — | 1609 | 2108 | 10/13 | |
| 2007 | 18 | 4 | 13 | 1 | 1362 | 1875 | 12/13 | |
| 2008 | 20 | 6 | 14 | – | 1757 | 2051 | 11/14 | |
| 2009 | 20 | 13 | 7 | – | 1899 | 1789 | 6/13* | |
| 2010 | 21 | 13 | 8 | – | 1947 | 1805 | 4/14* | |
| Totals | 1140 | 481 | 642 | 17 | 104474 | 113250 |
* Denotes Finals appearance
Executive officers, coach, captain and club champion – 1951 to 2011
| Year | President | Secretary* | Treasurer | Coach | Captain | Club Champion |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | W.L. Bassett | S. Fraser | S. Laurie | H. Dunn Snr | A. Mihan | R. Green |
| 1952 | W.L. Bassett | S. Fraser | S. Soffer | W. Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
W. Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
W. Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
| 1953 | M.W. Cane | S. Fraser | S. Soffer | W. Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
W. Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
W. Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
| 1954 | M.W. Cane | S. Fraser | S. Soffer | W. Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
W. Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
W. Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
| 1955 | E.C. Miechel | S. Fraser | A. Duke | C. Love | C. Love | H. Dunn Jnr |
| 1956 | E.C. Miechel | S. Fraser | A. Duke | C. Austen Col Austen Colin 'Col' Austen was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the VFL from 1941 to 1943 and then again from 1946 to 1949. He then played for the Richmond Football Club from 1950 to 1952.... |
C. Austen Col Austen Colin 'Col' Austen was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the VFL from 1941 to 1943 and then again from 1946 to 1949. He then played for the Richmond Football Club from 1950 to 1952.... |
C. Love |
| 1957 | E.C. Miechel | S. Fraser | A. Duke | C. Austen Col Austen Colin 'Col' Austen was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the VFL from 1941 to 1943 and then again from 1946 to 1949. He then played for the Richmond Football Club from 1950 to 1952.... |
C. Love | B. Craig |
| 1958 | E. Hammond | S. Fraser | A. Duke | C. Austen Col Austen Colin 'Col' Austen was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the VFL from 1941 to 1943 and then again from 1946 to 1949. He then played for the Richmond Football Club from 1950 to 1952.... |
C. Love | A. Gooch |
| 1959 | E. Hammond | S. Fraser | D. Marsh | C. Austen Col Austen Colin 'Col' Austen was an Australian rules footballer who played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the VFL from 1941 to 1943 and then again from 1946 to 1949. He then played for the Richmond Football Club from 1950 to 1952.... |
R. Taylor | B. Craig |
| 1960 | E. Hammond | S. Fraser | D. Marsh | D. Beasy Doug Beasy Doug Beasy is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .Beasy made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in the Round 1 of the 1951 season. He left the Blues at the end of the 1959 season.... |
D. Beasy Doug Beasy Doug Beasy is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .Beasy made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in the Round 1 of the 1951 season. He left the Blues at the end of the 1959 season.... |
D. Brown |
| 1961 | E. Hammond | S. Fraser | P. Burns | D. Beasy Doug Beasy Doug Beasy is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .Beasy made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in the Round 1 of the 1951 season. He left the Blues at the end of the 1959 season.... |
D. Beasy Doug Beasy Doug Beasy is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .Beasy made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in the Round 1 of the 1951 season. He left the Blues at the end of the 1959 season.... |
B. Craig |
| 1962 | E. Hammond | S. Fraser | P. Burns | D. Beasy Doug Beasy Doug Beasy is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .Beasy made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in the Round 1 of the 1951 season. He left the Blues at the end of the 1959 season.... |
D. Beasy Doug Beasy Doug Beasy is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .Beasy made his debut for the Carlton Football Club in the Round 1 of the 1951 season. He left the Blues at the end of the 1959 season.... |
B. Craig |
| 1963 | R. Shineberg | D. Marsh | P. Burns | A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
B. Craig |
| 1964 | R. Shineberg | D. Marsh | E. Mansfield | A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
| 1965 | R. Shineberg | D. Marsh | E. Mansfield | A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
C. Fellows |
| 1966 | R. Shineberg | A. Matthews | E. Mansfield | A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
I. Bates |
| 1967 | R. Shineberg | E. Mansfield | A. Matthews | A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
A. Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
G. Fellows |
| 1968 | R. Shineberg | E. Mansfield | P. Burns | W. Arthur B. Coghlan |
I. Bates | G. Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... |
| 1969 | R. Shineberg | A. Matthews | P. Burns | J. Walker | J. Walker | T. Dawson |
| 1970 | R. Harris | A. Matthews | E. Mansfield | G. Ireland | G. Ireland | J. Baker |
| 1971 | R. Harris | K. Ralph Snr | I. Hansen | R. Johnson Tassie Johnson Robert "Tassie" Johnson is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the 1960s. He was known by his nickname Tassie as there were two other Johnsons at the club at the time he was recruited from North Launceston in Tasmania.Johnson was... |
R. Johnson Tassie Johnson Robert "Tassie" Johnson is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the 1960s. He was known by his nickname Tassie as there were two other Johnsons at the club at the time he was recruited from North Launceston in Tasmania.Johnson was... |
L. Thompson |
| 1972 | B. Coghlan | K. Ralph Snr | T. Smith | K. McNamee | K. McNamee | K. Ralph Jnr |
| 1973 | B. Coghlan | R. Hopper | L. McQualter | P. Langley G. Ireland |
K. Ralph Jnr | G. Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... |
| 1974 | B. Coghlan | D. Wanless | L. McQualter | G. Ireland | G. Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... |
A. Curtis |
| 1975 | J.N. Zigouras | J. Dowsley | J. Brown | G. Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... |
G. Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... |
G. Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... |
| 1976 | J.N. Zigouras | J. Dowsley | J. Morgan | L. Foote Les Foote Leslie Roy Foote was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League.-Football career:A local lad, and recruited from the North Melbourne Colts, Foote played his first match with the North Melbourne Football Club in 1941 at just 16 years of age.He was able to kick equally well with... |
G. Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... |
V. Lawther |
| 1977 | J.N. Zigouras | J. Dowsley | S. Cromb | W. Kirby K. Smith |
J. Tuckwell | G. Cook |
| 1978 | J.N. Zigouras | K. Ralph Snr | S. Cromb | K. Smith | K. Ralph Jnr | M. Connolly |
| 1979 | J.N. Zigouras | K. Ralph Snr | C. McGary | P. Langley | K. Ralph Jnr | C. Cruse |
| 1980 | N. Moore | J. Richards | C. McGary | P. Langley | C. Cruse | S. Harper |
| 1981 | J.N. Zigouras | K. Ralph Jnr | S. Cromb | P. Pettigrew | P. Pettigrew | P. Pettigrew |
| 1982 | J.N. Zigouras | K. Ralph Jnr | K. Ralph Jnr | E. Moore Eric Moore (Australian rules footballer) Eric Moore is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1966 and 1972 for the Richmond Football Club and for South Melbourne in 1972 and 1973.... |
M. Connolly | S. Witnish |
| 1983 | J.N. Zigouras | K. Ralph Jnr | K. Ralph Jnr | E. Moore Eric Moore (Australian rules footballer) Eric Moore is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1966 and 1972 for the Richmond Football Club and for South Melbourne in 1972 and 1973.... |
G. Withers | P. Nicholson |
| 1984 | J.N. Zigouras | K. Ralph Jnr | G. Ralph | E. Moore Eric Moore (Australian rules footballer) Eric Moore is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1966 and 1972 for the Richmond Football Club and for South Melbourne in 1972 and 1973.... |
G. Withers | P. Nicholson |
| 1985 | J.N. Zigouras | E. Sutherland | S. Cromb | E. Moore Eric Moore (Australian rules footballer) Eric Moore is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1966 and 1972 for the Richmond Football Club and for South Melbourne in 1972 and 1973.... |
G. Withers | S. Teakel |
| 1986 | W. White | E. Sutherland | S. Cromb | R. Murrie Richard Murrie Richard Murrie is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray, Geelong and Richmond in the Victorian Football League .... |
R. Murrie | D. Bourke |
| 1987 | W. White | E. Sutherland | S. Cromb | H. Martin Harold Martin (footballer) Harold Martin is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League and coached in the Victorian Football Association.... |
M. Turner | P. Nicholson |
| 1988 | J.N. Zigouras | M. Kainey | L. Robertson | H. Martin Harold Martin (footballer) Harold Martin is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League and coached in the Victorian Football Association.... |
M. Turner | D. Pevitt |
| 1989 | J.N. Zigouras | M. Kainey | L. Robertson | P. Francis Peter Francis (footballer) Peter Francis is a former Australian rules footballer who played with four VFL clubs during the 1980s.Victorian country recruit Peter Francis joined Carlton in 1978 and made his senior debut the following season. He played in their thrilling five point Grand Final win against Collingwood that year... |
P. Francis Peter Francis (footballer) Peter Francis is a former Australian rules footballer who played with four VFL clubs during the 1980s.Victorian country recruit Peter Francis joined Carlton in 1978 and made his senior debut the following season. He played in their thrilling five point Grand Final win against Collingwood that year... |
L. Zarafa |
| 1990 | J.N. Zigouras | M. Reeves | J. Ure | P. Francis Peter Francis (footballer) Peter Francis is a former Australian rules footballer who played with four VFL clubs during the 1980s.Victorian country recruit Peter Francis joined Carlton in 1978 and made his senior debut the following season. He played in their thrilling five point Grand Final win against Collingwood that year... |
P. Francis Peter Francis (footballer) Peter Francis is a former Australian rules footballer who played with four VFL clubs during the 1980s.Victorian country recruit Peter Francis joined Carlton in 1978 and made his senior debut the following season. He played in their thrilling five point Grand Final win against Collingwood that year... |
M. Lisle |
| 1991 | J.N. Zigouras | N. Dalrymple | J. Ure | S. Molloy Shane Molloy Shane Molloy is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League .Molloy, recruited from Macleod-Rosanna, was a back pocket player. He made his Fitzroy debut at Princes Park, in a loss to Footscray, who were celebrating Ted Whitten's 300th game... |
M. Lisle | L. Zarafa |
| 1992 | J.N. Zigouras | N. Dalrymple | J. Ure | S. Molloy Shane Molloy Shane Molloy is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League .Molloy, recruited from Macleod-Rosanna, was a back pocket player. He made his Fitzroy debut at Princes Park, in a loss to Footscray, who were celebrating Ted Whitten's 300th game... |
M. Lisle | C. Watson |
| 1993 | J.N. Zigouras | B. McMahon | J. Ure | J. Murphy John Murphy (Australian rules footballer) John Murphy was a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .- Playing career :... |
M. Lisle | D. Banfield |
| 1994 | J.N. Zigouras | G. Randall | J. Ure | J. Murphy John Murphy (Australian rules footballer) John Murphy was a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .- Playing career :... |
D. Banfield | T. Livingstone |
| 1995 | G.D. Cohen | G. Randall | A. Panther | J. Murphy John Murphy (Australian rules footballer) John Murphy was a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .- Playing career :... |
D. Banfield | Z. Badrock |
| 1996 | G.D. Cohen | G. Randall | J. Ure | J. Murphy John Murphy (Australian rules footballer) John Murphy was a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .- Playing career :... |
D. Banfield | D. Payne |
| 1997 | R.S. Collier | G. Randall | J. Ure | J. Murphy John Murphy (Australian rules footballer) John Murphy was a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .- Playing career :... |
T. Livingstone | T. Livingstone |
| 1998 | R.S. Collier | G. Randall | J. Ure | J. Murphy John Murphy (Australian rules footballer) John Murphy was a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League .- Playing career :... |
D. Wilkinson | C. Crowley |
| 1999 | R.S. Collier | G. Randall | J. Ure | B. Mason | D. Wilkinson | A. Slater |
| 2000 | A. Pinwill | A. McDonald | J. Ure | D. McDonald | B. Hartin | M. Brewer |
| 2001 | A. Pinwill | L. Jervis | J. Ure | D. McDonald | M. Brewer | J. Baird |
| 2002 | A. Pinwill | A. Pirchan | J. Ure | D. McDonald | M. Brewer | S. Mitchell Sam Mitchell (footballer) Samuel Mitchell is an Australian rules football player for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League .- Debut season :... |
| 2003 | J.D. Ure | A. Pirchan | not appointed | A. Liberatore Tony Liberatore Anthony "Tony" Liberatore is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray in the Australian Football League .... |
A. Pugsley Andrew Pugsley Andrew Pugsley is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood in the Australian Football League .Pugsley came to Collingwood as a rookie late in 1996 from Scoreseby via Eastern Ranges... |
M. Ball Matthew Ball Matthew Ball is an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Australian Football League .Ball is the elder brother of Collingwood premiership player Luke Ball and the son of former VFL footballer Ray Ball.... |
| 2004 | J.D. Ure | A. Pirchan | not appointed | A. Collins | C. Alleway | S. Bailey |
| 2005 | J.D. Ure | A. Pirchan | not appointed | A. Collins | C. Alleway | S. Greene Steven Greene Steven Greene is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Australian Football League .... |
| 2006 | J.D. Ure | A. Pirchan | not appointed | D. Christensen | K. Height | M. Ball Matthew Ball Matthew Ball is an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Australian Football League .Ball is the elder brother of Collingwood premiership player Luke Ball and the son of former VFL footballer Ray Ball.... |
| 2007 | J.D. Ure | A. Pirchan | not appointed | D. Christensen | K. Height | N. Smith |
| 2008 | J.D. Ure | A. Pirchan | not appointed | B. Mitchell Barry Mitchell (footballer) Barry Mitchell is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Sydney Swans, Carlton and Collingwood in the Australian Football League .... |
A. Neville | S. Kenna Stephen Kenna Stephen Kenna is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the Australian Football League . After being delisted by Carlton, Kenna moved to South Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League... |
| 2009 | J.D. Ure | A. Pirchan | not appointed | B. Bolton | L. Markovic Lukas Markovic Lukas Markovic is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League for the Western Bulldogs.Originally selected pick 19 in the 2006 Rookie Draft by Hawthorn, Markovic spent 2 years on the clubs list, his 2007 season was curtailed by a broken ankle, before being delisted at the end... S. Kenna Stephen Kenna Stephen Kenna is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the Australian Football League . After being delisted by Carlton, Kenna moved to South Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League... (co-captains) |
S. Iles Sam Iles Sam Iles is an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood and is currently playing for Gold Coast in the Australian Football League .-Football career:... |
| 2010 | J.D. Ure | A. McLeish | not appointed | B. Bolton | Stephen Kenna Stephen Kenna Stephen Kenna is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the Australian Football League . After being delisted by Carlton, Kenna moved to South Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League... |
Ed Curnow Ed Curnow Edward Curnow is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.-Career:A midfielder, Curnow played his junior football for Modewarre in the Bellarine Football League and school football for The Geelong College in the APS, before playing TAC Cup football for the Geelong Falcons... |
| 2011 | A. Pinwill | E. Fenton | not appointed | D. Carroll | S. Gibson | S. Gibson |
* General Manager from 1981
Box Hill / Box Hill Hawks players drafted to AFL
(Only players to play at least 1 AFL game are listed)| Player | Draft | Drafted By | Played With | Total AFL Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Goodwin | 1987 National | Richmond | Richmond (56 games) Melbourne (17 games) |
73 |
| Peter Bourke | 1988 National | Essendon | Essendon (1 game) Fitzroy (22 games) |
23 |
| Grant Lawrie Grant Lawrie Grant Lawrie is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy and St Kilda in the Victorian/Australian Football League .... |
1989 National | St Kilda | Fitzroy (151 games) St Kilda (17 games) |
168 |
| Ron De Iulio Ron De Iulio Ron De Iulio is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the Australian Football League during the 1990s.A late comer to Australian rules football, De Iulio only switched from soccer at the age of 16... |
1991 National | Carlton | Carlton | 104 |
| Tim Livingstone | 1992 Mid-Year | Richmond | Richmond | 8 |
| Jarrod Molloy Jarrod Molloy Jarrod Molloy was an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.A key position player, Molloy was trialled in both attack and defence as his career wore on, with most success enjoyed near the goalmouth.... |
1993 National | Fitzroy (father/son rule) |
Fitzroy (59 games) Brisbane (61 games) Collingwood (49 games) |
169 |
| Andrew Nichol | 1995 Pre-Season | Footscray | Footscray | 3 |
| Matthew Bishop Matthew Bishop Matthew Bishop is a former Australian rules footballer who played in the Australian Football League .Bishop started out with the Melbourne Demons after being elevated from their rookie list in 1998. He spent two seasons with them before moving to Port Adelaide in 2000, where he made a name for... |
1997 Rookie | Melbourne | Melbourne (18 games) Port Adelaide (132 games) |
150 |
| Troy Simmonds Troy Simmonds Troy Simmonds is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Melbourne, Fremantle and Richmond in the Australian Football League.-Melbourne: 1999 – 2001:Simmonds was first drafted by Melbourne in the 1999 Preseason Draft... |
1999 Pre-Season | Melbourne | Melbourne (40 games) Fremantle (64 games) Richmond (93 games) |
197 |
| Simon Godfrey Simon Godfrey Simon Godfrey is a former Australian Rules footballer who played for the Melbourne Demons.Godfrey was recruited from Box Hill and debuted for the Demons in 2000, selected at number 14 in the draft... |
1999 National | Melbourne | Melbourne | 105 |
| Sam Mitchell Sam Mitchell (footballer) Samuel Mitchell is an Australian rules football player for the Hawthorn Football Club in the Australian Football League .- Debut season :... |
2001 National | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 193* |
| John Baird John Baird (Australian footballer) John Baird is an Australian rules footballer who played with the Kangaroos in the Australian Football League .Baird, a defender, was promoted from the Kangaroos rookie list to play 14 games with the club in the 2002 AFL season... |
2002 Rookie | Kangaroos | Kangaroos | 46 |
| Michael Firrito Michael Firrito Michael "Spud" Firrito is an Australian Rules footballer for the Kangaroos Football Club. He made his AFL debut in round 12 on the 13 June 2003. He played 2 games that year and the following year received a Rising Star nomination. Although primarily a defender, he has been used by the Kangaroos as... |
2003 Rookie | Kangaroos | Kangaroos | 170* |
| Matthew Ball Matthew Ball Matthew Ball is an Australian rules footballer who played with Hawthorn in the Australian Football League .Ball is the elder brother of Collingwood premiership player Luke Ball and the son of former VFL footballer Ray Ball.... |
2003 National | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 17 |
| Stephen Kenna Stephen Kenna Stephen Kenna is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Carlton in the Australian Football League . After being delisted by Carlton, Kenna moved to South Adelaide in the South Australian National Football League... |
2003 National | Carlton | Carlton | 5 |
| Michael Rix Michael Rix Michael Rix is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.Originally rookie listed with Hawthorn for the 2004 season, Rix did not play a game for the club but continued to be an important ruckman in the VFL with the Box Hill Hawks... |
2004 Rookie | Hawthorn | St Kilda | 29 |
| Simon Taylor Simon Taylor (footballer) Simon Taylor is an Australian rules footballer who previously played for the Hawthorn Football Club.A ruckman, Taylor was selected by Hawthorn at pick... |
2004 National | Hawthorn | Hawthorn | 85 |
| Cameron Howat Cameron Howat Cameron Howat was an Australian rules footballer who was selected in the 2005 AFL Rookie Draft by the Richmond Football Club and delisted after the 2008 season.... |
2005 Rookie | Richmond | Richmond | 21 |
| Ben McGlynn Ben McGlynn Ben McGlynn is an Australian rules football player playing for the Sydney Swans.A small onballer, McGlynn was picked late by Hawthorn in the 2006 rookie draft after impressing at the Box Hill Hawks the VFL affiliated club with the Hawks... |
2005 Rookie | Hawthorn | Hawthorn (44 games) Sydney (38 games*) |
82* |
| Lukas Markovic Lukas Markovic Lukas Markovic is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League for the Western Bulldogs.Originally selected pick 19 in the 2006 Rookie Draft by Hawthorn, Markovic spent 2 years on the clubs list, his 2007 season was curtailed by a broken ankle, before being delisted at the end... |
2009 National | Western Bulldogs | Western Bulldogs | 16* |
| Sam Iles Sam Iles Sam Iles is an Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood and is currently playing for Gold Coast in the Australian Football League .-Football career:... |
2009 Rookie | Gold Coast Suns | Collingwood (7 games) Gold Coast Suns (16 games*) |
23* |
| Ed Curnow Ed Curnow Edward Curnow is an Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League.-Career:A midfielder, Curnow played his junior football for Modewarre in the Bellarine Football League and school football for The Geelong College in the APS, before playing TAC Cup football for the Geelong Falcons... |
2010 Rookie | Carlton | Carlton | 12* |
| Cameron Pedersen Cameron Pedersen Cameron Pedersen is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the North Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League .... |
2010 Rookie | North Melbourne | North Melbourne | 14* |
| Robert Campbell Robert Campbell (Australian rules footballer) Robert "Robbie" Campbell is an Australian rules footballer who plays for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League . At 200 cm tall, he made his AFL debut with the Hawthorn Hawks in 2002... |
2010 Rookie | Melbourne | Hawthorn | 116 |
* Indicates AFL listed player in 2011.
All games totals to end of 2011 season.
"Greatest Ever Team"
(as announced in 2000, covering period 1951 to 2000)| Back | Jack Wright (180 games, 32 goals) |
David Banfield (137 games, 5 goals) |
John Baker (155 games, 87 goals) |
| Half-Back | Cliff Eade (125 games, 63 goals) |
Bruce Craig (146 games, 34 goals) |
Ron Irvine (133 games, 3 goals) |
| Centre | Keith White (171 games, 109 goals) |
Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant Geoff Bryant is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1969 and 1971 for the North Melbourne Football Club.... (147 games, 195 goals) |
Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... (73 games, 61 goals) |
| Half Forward | Peter Nicholson (142 games, 279 goals) |
David Plunkett (114 games, 91 goals) |
Ian Bates (165 games, 156 goals) |
| Forward | Don Brown (113 games, 181 goals) |
Paul Bolton (99 games, 340 goals) |
Darron Wilkinson (101 games, 287 goals) |
| Followers | Bill Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... (58 games, 101 goals) |
Tim Livingstone (77 games, 74 goals) |
Laurie Zarafa (132 games, 175 goals) |
| Interchange | Peter Bourke (83 games, 65 goals) |
Doug Gleeson (127 games, 74 goals) |
Mark Lisle (84 games, 45 goals) |
| Colin Love (124 games, 24 goals) |
|||
| Captain | Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner Alex Gardiner was an Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League . His father, also named Alex, was a Footscray player during the 1920s.... |
||
| Vice-Captain | Bill Morris Bill Morris (Australian rules footballer) William "Bill" Morris was an Australian rules footballer who played for Richmond in the Victorian Football League , mostly during the 1940s. He played much of his football beside Jack Dyer as a knock ruckman.... |
||
| Coach | Eric Moore Eric Moore (Australian rules footballer) Eric Moore is a former Australian rules football player who played in the VFL between 1966 and 1972 for the Richmond Football Club and for South Melbourne in 1972 and 1973.... |
Box Hill Hawks Football Club in popular culture
- On Sunday 26 June 1988 at a match between Box Hill and FrankstonFrankston, VictoriaFrankston is a suburb within the Greater Melbourne metropolitan area in Victoria, Australia. It is located 40 km southeast of the state capital Melbourne at the southernmost edge of Greater Melbourne, near the beginnings of the Mornington Peninsula...
played at Box Hill City OvalBox Hill City OvalBox Hill City Oval is an Australian rules football and cricket stadium located in Box Hill, Victoria, Australia. It is the home ground of the Box Hill Hawks Football Club which plays in the VFL and the Box Hill Cricket Club....
, Box Hill coach Harold Martin rode on a cherry picker while delivering his 3/4 time address to the Box Hill team. Martin was serving a suspension that prevented him from entering the playing arena. He circumvented the ban by being hoisted by the cherry picker over the boundary fence and several metres inside the playing arena without actually touching the ground. The incident has been recounted and referred to in several publications since in the context of describing extreme acts that coaches have undertaken in an attempt to motivate their teams.
- In an episode of Kath & KimKath & KimKath & Kim is a Logie Award-winning character-driven Australian television situation comedy series. The series was created by, and is written by Jane Turner and Gina Riley who play the title characters: a suburban mother and daughter with a dysfunctional relationship...
, BrettBrett CraigBrett Craig is a fictional character on the Australian comedy television series, Kath & Kim. He is portrayed by Peter Rowsthorn.-Background:Brett was married to Kim Craig from the start of the series...
and KimKim CraigKimberly Diane "Kim" Craig nee Day is a fictional character in the Australian sitcom Kath & Kim, portrayed by Gina Riley.Kim's character, along with her mother, Kath Day-Knight is considered an Australian Comedic Icon....
are shown at a suburban football match. Both are wearing brown and gold scarves and ABC footage of a VFAVictorian Football LeagueThe Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
match played in 1988 between Box Hill and PrestonNorthern BullantsNorthern Blues Football Club is a long-established Australian rules football club based in Preston and currently playing in the Victorian Football League representing the central and outer areas of Melbourne...
is used. Peter Rowsthorn, who plays the role of BrettBrett CraigBrett Craig is a fictional character on the Australian comedy television series, Kath & Kim. He is portrayed by Peter Rowsthorn.-Background:Brett was married to Kim Craig from the start of the series...
, has been Number One Ticket Holder of the Box Hill Hawks Football Club since 2005.
- Since 2004 the federal member for ChisholmDivision of ChisholmThe Division of Chisholm is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division was created in 1949 and is named for Caroline Chisholm, a social worker and promoter of women's immigration. It is located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne...
, Anna BurkeAnna BurkeAnna Elizabeth Burke , Australian politician, has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives since October 1998, representing the Division of Chisholm, Victoria...
, and the federal member for GellibrandDivision of GellibrandThe Division of Gellibrand is anAustralian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division was created in 1949 and is named for Joseph Gellibrand, a pioneer settler of the Melbourne area...
, Nicola RoxonNicola RoxonNicola Louise Roxon is an Australian politician, and is the Minister for Health and Ageing. She has been a Labor member of the Australian House of Representatives since 1998, representing the Division of Gellibrand, in the inner-western suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria.-Early and personal life:She...
, have established their own rivallry and bet on the outcome of VFLVictorian Football LeagueThe Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
matches between Box Hill and WilliamstownWilliamstown Football ClubThe Williamstown Football Club, nicknamed The Seagulls, is an Australian rules football club based in Melbourne and are currently playing in the Victorian Football League...
. The bet usually involves the loser being required to perform an outrageous or embarrassing task such as wearing the guernsey of the victorious team into the House of RepresentativesAustralian House of RepresentativesThe House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
or displaying the guernsey in the window of their electorate office.
Jumpers
From 2012, Box Hill will wear the same guernsey as its AFL affiliate Hawthorn: brown and gold vertical stripes, with a white panel and black number on the back. It will also wear Hawthorn's white clash guernsey when required.Box Hill's most traditional guernsey, in use from 1975–2011, consisted of yellow and brown vertical thirds (brown in the middle), with a brown back, yellow numbers, and a small white mustang in the centre of the front of the guernsey. This guernsey was in use even after Box Hill had become known as the Hawks in 2000; with the guernsey change in 2012, the mustang logo will be retained as a small feature over the breast.