Category Archives: Men’s Football

EFNL B&F | MITCH MELLIS – OUR NEW EFNL LEGEND

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Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club is delighted to announce that Mitch Mellis tonight won his 3rd EFNL Best and Fairest award at Marvel Stadium.

The Kenneth Wright MBE Medal is awarded for the fairest and best player in Division 1. Mitch won The Paul Edie Medal (Division 2) in the previous two seasons.

Mitch, the son of Cam and Cath Mellis and brother to Jake and Trent, has done his family and club proud, not just tonight or this season, but during his entire footballing career. A tough inside midfielder with electric speed and an almost frightening capacity to keep his eyes on the ball at all times, Mitch is just a consistent ball magnet even though he deals with a tight tag during most games.

Reading Josh Hannon’s taps around the ground with effortless ease, Mitch has the inherent capacity to bring his teammates into the game and make our team better.

Off the field, Mitch is heavily invested in our club. The Mellis family name is very significant. Cam, his father, is a club life member and is still driving our recruiting team. Cath, his mother, continues in the role as our Senior Men’s Team Manager. There has never been a more loved team manager in our club’s history, having the total respect of every player on our list. Jake, his older brother, is an incredibly talented senior player in his own right, and Trent, his other older brother, returned to the club this year to support Luke Hannon in the Under-19s and played the role of 19’s runner for this season. What an invested Hawka family!

Mitch now joins Dean Grice as an EFNL legend. We salute you, Mitch, and wish you nothing but success and good health in your future, both on and off the field.

Greg Hannon, Senior President

COACHING ANNOUNCEMENT | JOEL GALVIN

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Boronia Hawks are excited to welcome JOEL GALVIN to our senior coaching group as Senior Assistant Coach for 2026. Joel is one of the most decorated footballers in the EFNL, with a career spanning over 300 senior games filled with success.

  • 300+ senior games at the top level
  • Premiership player at just 17 years old in 2005
  • Premiership captain in 2016
  • Five-time Club Best & Fairest winner (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018)
  • Three-time EFNL Kenneth Wright Medalist (2012, 2016, 2018)
  • Officially recognised as an EFNL Legend for his outstanding contribution to the competition
  • Coaching experience with the Eastern Ranges program
  • Playing Assistant Coach at Bayswater, combining leadership on and off the field.

Joel’s experience, leadership, and tactical knowledge will be a huge asset as we continue to build and develop our senior program. He has lived the standards of success and will now help drive those same standards at Boronia.

BACK TO BORONIA | MATT BARKAS

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Boronia Hawks are excited to welcome back Matt Barkas for the 2026 season!

Matt came through our junior program before taking on the challenge at East Ringwood, where he built a reputation as a tough defender/midfielder. His courage and consistency were recognised with the Most Courageous Award in 2023 and 2024. Everyone get around Matt and give him a big Hawks welcome home.

NEW RECRUIT | JAKE ARUNDELL

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Boronia Hawks are excited to announce that JAKE ARUNDELL will join the club for the 2026 season.

A standout junior, Jake claimed the 2019 U17 Premier Division Best & Fairest before making his mark with Eastern Ranges in the NAB League. He then took his game to South Adelaide in the SANFL, and over the past 3 years has been with the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL — earning a place in the 2025 leadership group. Jake brings talent, leadership, and big-game experience to Boronia, and we can’t wait to see him running out in the brown and gold. Welcome to the Hawks, Jake! 

GRAND FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT

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We’re incredibly proud to announce that Harry Chapman will be taking the field and Darcy Jamieson has been named as an emergency for Eastern Ranges in the Coates Talent League Grand Final!

Eastern Ranges will face off against the Sandringham Dragons on Saturday at 1:00pm at IKON Park in what promises to be a fantastic clash between two quality sides.

Harry, Darcy, Myles, Max and Tahj have all represented The Hawka Family with distinction this season — showing commitment, character, and class in their football. They’ve made significant contributions not only to our club but to the Eastern Ranges program, and we couldn’t be prouder of the way they’ve gone about their footy.

Let’s get behind the boys and the Eastern Ranges as they chase premiership glory!

?? Go Hawka! Go Ranges! ??

APPLICATIONS SOUGHT | DEVELOPMENT SQUAD COACH

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Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club, affiliated with the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL), is seeking applications for the position of Senior Men’s Development Squad (Reserves) Coach (playing or non-playing) for the 2026 season.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a highly respected and successful community club and to work under the mentorship of four-time EFNL Premiership Coach, Matthew Clark.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving the continued development of our senior playing group.

Remuneration will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s background, skill set, and experience.

How to Apply: A detailed position description and selection criteria for this position is available and can be obtained by contacting the Club’s Director of Football, Wayne Judge either via email or phone.

  • Email ?: wayne.judge@edumail.vic.gov.au
  • Phone ?: 0400 951 867

The position will remain open until filled.

Wayne Judge, Director of Football, Boronia Hawks Football Netball Club

BOLTS STEPS DOWN | JESS BOLTON

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Club great, Jess Bolton has made the difficult decision to step down as our Development Coach for the 2026 football season.

Jess, who coached his team into a preliminary final only last week, will leave a significant hole to be filled by the club. As a playing coach, which is always a challenging role, Jess supported, guided, and improved our development players during his two-year tenure.

BHFNC sincerely thanks Jess for his efforts over the past two seasons, and we know it’s not goodbye, as another chapter in the BHFNC relationship with Jess will evolve as we never let great people like Jess just disappear.

The good news is that Jess will continue to play in the brown and gold and will continue to bring strong game sense and enormous experience to emerging players as a 200+ game player and dual Bob Henry Medallist.

RE-SIGNED FOR 2026 | COOPER DUNKINSON

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Boronia Hawks are very excited that Cooper Dunkinson has recommitted for 2026.

Coop has come all the way through our juniors, won the Under-19s premiership in 2018, and is a 2024 senior men’s premiership player. Versatile and team-first, he impacts games both up forward and driving off half back we are looking forward to him running around on Tormore in 2026.

RE-SIGNED FOR 2026 | MYLES REYNDERS

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Boronia Hawks are excited to announce that Myles Reynders has committed for season 2026.

A versatile tall with a big future, Myles has already impressed with the Eastern Ranges and made his senior debut in 2025. His energy, athleticism and attack on the contest make him a huge addition as we build for the future.