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

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.


EFNL B&F | DEAN GRICE

After a standout year in his first season of Veteran’s footy, DEAN GRICE was tonight awarded the BJS Insurance Veterans’ Best and Fairest award for 2025.

Dean has previously won League Best and Fairest awards in Under-19s, Reserves along with 4 x Paul Edie Medals for Best & Fairest in Division 2, making him an EFNL Legend and one of the most decorated footballers in EFNL history. Gricey is an undisputed champion of our club, and we congratulate you!


JACKSON TAYLOR MP | THANK YOU

BHFNC wishes to sincerely thank our incredible local member, Jackson Taylor on his recently announced retirement from parliament at the next election.

Jackson has been a strong advocate of local community sport since he was first elected and his support of our club has been nothing short of exceptional! The $1.2m grant for our new pavilion is but one example of the support Jackson gave our club.

Jackson, we are most grateful for the advice and support you have given the club leadership over the years and we wish you and your young family nothing but success and good health into your future.


COACHING ANNOUNCEMENT | JOEL GALVIN

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

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.


RE-SIGNED FOR 2026 | MADDIE BUTLER

We’re excited to announce that Maddie Butler has re-signed with Boronia for the 2026 season.

Maddie will be stepping up to play her first season of Senior football after coming through our Junior pathway. Maddie is a natural leader who was captain of the U18s the past two seasons, and an U16 Premiership Player in 2023. We’re excited to have Maddie continue to develop her game in brown and gold next season and beyond!










NEW RECRUIT | JAKE ARUNDELL

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!