FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH SHOWERS HAWKS IN TALENT
Thursday, 18 March 2010

By Richard Millott

Box Hill Hawks can look forward to seeing their signings from the TAC Cup in action with no less than 10 players joining the list from the underage competition for season 2010.

Six of these signings come from last year’s Vic Metro squad, including Nathan Burnage, Jayden Cass, Jayden Hoegel, David Mirra, Michael Thompson and Liam Tobin.

Aaron Johns, Jay Kinder and Ryan Minahan have all graduated from the Eastern Ranges which is a fantastic result as both clubs worked hard to strengthen the alignment in 2009. Brent Wallace from the Northern Knights squad also joins and looks to be a lively small forward.

Also joining the list at City Oval this season is Phil Edgar, who last season won the Robert Hawkins Trophy as Best First Year Player at St Kevin’s Old Boys Football Club in the VAFA.

James Orr, having won an Australian Institute of Sport Scholarship for Basketball in 2008, has come to Box Hill Hawks following a season in the National Basketball League with South Dragons to round out the newest batch of talent for 2010.

Box Hill Hawks Senior Coach Brendon Bolton has heaped praise upon his new additions, noting their willingness to learn and improve.

“All of our new talents has gelled with last year’s group and I have no doubt they will further improve as they are all a terrific group of devoted players.”

Bolton was quick to point out the athleticism of the recruits, particularly utilities David Mirra, Liam Tobin and Phil Edgar.

“Mirra has shown us during pre season training that he is athletic and also possesses good leadership skills.

“Liam is a quality running utility. His performances last year were high standard and pre season has shown us that this is his benchmark, and his focus is to always produce his best.

“Phil Edgar is not only versatile, but quick. His pace with and without the ball is definitely a key attribute that he possesses and I’m looking forward to seeing this on show.”

Box Hill Hawks have also bolstered their ruck department, with Nathan Burnage and James Orr.

“Nathan is a young and developing Ruckman who I again have been impressed by his athleticism. At present he is a fantastic prospect, and will improve as he builds up his body.

“James comes to us from a high-level basketball background and many of these skills have been transferable to football.”

Up forward, the young Hawks recruits will make an impression inside the forward half of the ground, with the likes of Jayden Cass, Jayden Hoegel and Brent Wallace.

“Cass and Wallace play quite a similar style of footy: They’re both livewires who, with their clean skills, play fast football.

“Jayden Hoegel is a real pressure forward and his chase down and tackling ability will put pressure on opposition defences.”

Defensively, the Hawks also have some young developing talent in Jay Kinder and Michael Thompson. Thompson was captain of TAC Cup side Oakleigh Chargers in 2009 and Bolton noted the similarities between Kinder and Thompson.

“Kinder’s style is to go hard at the footy and is a negating defender. Thommo’s style compliments Kinder and he [Thompson] also possesses plenty of run.”

Ryan Minahan and Aaron Johns complete the signings for the season. Both being adaptable to defensive, midfield and attacking roles, Minahan and Johns are hard at the footy and have demonstrated their goal kicking abilities.

Bolton has so far been impressed with what he has seen at training sessions from the entire squad, and is looking forward to seeing recruits in action against Werribee come Round 1.