BORONIA SIGNS EX-BOX HILL HAWK | JAKE ARUNDELL

Daniel Cencic | News Sport Network

Boronia Hawks FNC has hit the off-season signing one of the most exciting young talents fresh from the VFL – but there are several more boxes Boronia must tick ahead of 2026 according to coach Matt Clark.

Recently securing former Eastern Ranges star Jake Arundell, the Hawks’ headline addition joins full-time after three seasons with Box Hill in the state league. A glittering underage career was capped off with the under-17 Eastern league best and fairest, before a stop at SANFL outfit South Adelaide.

It’s understood the 22-year-old’s signature was highly sought-after among local clubs after stepping away from the VFL.

“He’s got connections with (Boronia players) Mitch Mellis and Kieran Edwards, and Jake Mellis too. We got the hint he was thinking about coming back full-time and he was willing to explore that,” Clark said.

“We were able to share a couple of stories on people like ‘Begs’ (ex-VFL and AFL player Josh Begley) who came back to play local footy and fell in love with the game again.

“He’s looking for opportunity to be a midfielder – he’s got pace and skill. He’s a quality person which we look for first and foremost.”

Former junior Matt Barkas has returned after a stint at top-division club East Ringwood.

“He’s a one-pointer coming back and he’s another good ball-user – he’s played across the wing, half-back, half-forward. He’s really keen to get back and get involved – he’s got a lot of mates at the club,” Clark said.

Meanwhile, Eastern league legend and Bayswater great Joel Galvin has jumped on-board as a senior assistant, following three EFNL competition best and fairests, 300 games, five club champion awards and two premierships.

And there could be more recruits headed to Tormore Reserve in the coming weeks. Boronia finished the home-and-away season in fourth with a 9-7 record, before a first-week finals exit at the hands of North Ringwood.

Clark said there were several lessons to learn from the club’s maiden Division 1 season following consecutive Division 2 flags.

“The evenness of the competition, the mindset you’ve got to take into every game and how strong you’ve got to be,” he said.

“We found the year before (in Division 2) you could probably be off by five or 10 per cent and still do enough in a quarter to win it. Just switching off for a moment (in Division 1), you’ll get scored against.

“For us, just having some bigger bodies – not having under-19s for five years, we were really exposed with some players who probably weren’t physically strong enough to play at that level.

“We’ll be really keen on getting our current list stronger, and that was spoken about even after the last game about the need to get into the gym and become more resilient.”


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.


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! 


WELCOME TO BORONIA | LOGAN DE YOUNG

Boronia Hawks FNC is very happy to announce that LOGAN DE YOUNG is joining our Under 19’s team for 2025 from The Basin.

Logan has played 113 junior games, including a premiership in 2022. He has finished top 5 in his club B&F a couple of times and will be a valuable addition to our team having played in key positions up and back. Please join us in welcoming Logan and his family to the Hawks.


WELCOME TO BORONIA | MAX NICOLL

Boronia Hawks FNC is very excited to announce that MAX NICOLL will be joining our Under 19’s team for 2025 from The Basin.

Long time Boronia supporters will be delighted that the son of Dave “Axe” Nicoll, a key member of the 2000 premiership side, will be joining our many father-son players at Tormore Reserve. Max has represented the league at Under 14’s and 15’s and has been at Eastern Ranges for both Under 16’s and 18’s, top and bottom age. Standing at 193cm, Max is a solid unit and will be a great addition to our squad. It is a pleasure to welcome Max and the Nicoll family “Back to Boronia”!


WELCOME TO BORONIA | TAHJ GARRITY

Boronia Hawks FNC is very excited to announce that TAHJ GARRITY will be joining our Under 19’s team for 2025 from Rowville. Tahj has a great Boronia bloodline as the son of our four-times club captain Pat Garrity.

Just like his Dad, Tahj has had an impressive junior career. He has represented the league at Under 14’s and 15’s and has been at Eastern Ranges for both Under 16’s and 18’s. Tahj has won a club B&F twice, and came third in a League B&F. Importantly, Tahj has premiership experience, having won three junior premierships and two with St Josephs.

We are very proud of our many father-son players and are now very excited to welcome Tahj and family “Back to Boronia”. We really look forward to seeing Tahj playing good footy for the Hawks for many years to come.


WELCOME TO BORONIA | RYAN WILSON

Boronia Hawks FNC is very excited to announce that RYAN WILSON is joining our Under 19’s team for 2025 from The Basin.

Ryan has a strong football CV already, playing all the way through from Under 9’s. He has played in four grand finals, winning a premiership in U15’s and winning a club B&F as well. Ryan plays as a mid/half forward and has a had a top 5 finish in the League B&F and was selected and trained at the Hawthorn Academy. We welcome Ryan and his family to the club and really look forward to watching him grow as a footballer.


WELCOME TO BORONIA | LIAM HUTCHINS

Boronia Hawks FNC is very pleased to announce that LIAM HUTCHINS is joining our Under 19’s team for 2025. Liam has an excellent record of junior footy and played both 17’s and 19’s last season. He has played interleague footy in Under 15’s and has won a couple of B&F’s along the way. He has played four seasons of A Grade football as a half-back, also rotating as an inside mid. Liam has already played in four premiership sides, including EFNL and ACC footy. Please join us all in welcoming Liam and family to Boronia.


WELCOME TO BORONIA | ZAC BROWN

Boronia Hawks FNC is very excited to announce that ZAC BROWN is joining our Under 19’s team for 2025. Zac represented the EFNL in Under 15’s interleague and is currently on the Eastern Ranges list. He mainly plays off wing or half-back and will be a great addition to the side. We welcome Zac and his family to the Hawks and really look forward to watching him play in the years ahead.


WELCOME TO BORONIA | JASMINE CONEY

We are thrilled to welcome JASMINE CONEY to Boronia! Jas comes following a decorated junior career at Heathmont and Blackburn, representing the EFNL at inter-league and spending the last two years with Eastern Ranges. Jas played 6 games with Ranges in 2024, and will add some serious class to our midfield unit this season. Already impressing on the track with her work rate, attitude and skill execution, we can’t wait to see Jasmine continue her development in her first year of senior football.