The VFLW season begins for the Box Hill Hawks this weekend, as they head to Geelong to take on the Cats in a Round 1 clash.
The Hawks finished third on the ladder in 2024 with eight wins, five losses and one draw. However, they bowed out in week one of the finals series, suffering an 18-point loss to Port Melbourne at Box Hill City Oval.
Box Hill will look to improve in 2025, with many players retained and plenty of new additions to the VFLW list.
Michael ‘Sony’ Ericson will again be leading the charge as senior coach in his second season, he will be supported by Narelle Davis (forwards), Matt Whitty (midfield) and Alex Mackenzie (defenders).
In terms of leaders, the Hawks will be spearheaded by a new Captain in Ellie McLinden, after serving as co-vice-captain in 2024. Rosie Dillon has been named vice-captain, with Mietta Kendall, Gabby Collingwood and Maddi Torpey making up the leadership group.
VFLW ROUND 1
WHO: Geelong v Box Hill Hawks
WHERE: Deakin University, Geelong
WHEN: Saturday 19 April
TIME: 11.05am AEST
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Re-Signed Players
Ellie McLinden, Rosie Dillon, Gabby Collingwood, Mietta Kendall, Danika Spamer, Tess Cattle, Matilda Van Berkel, Ashley Van Rooyen, Jess Matin, Paula Pavic, Annabelle Embelton, Tayissa Gray, Mikayla Lee, Eleanor Butler, Mia Zielinski, Emma Robins.
Arriving Players
Ruby Murdoch (Essendon VFLW), Maddi Torpey (Sandringham VFLW), Amy Cariss-Brett (Essendon VFLW), Margot Whitney (Sandringham Dragons), Georgia Baldwin, Emma Stilve (Eastern Ranges), Paige Price (St Kilda AFLW), Natasha Furjanic (Tasmania Devils), Isla Baldwin (Carlton VFLW), Hannah Griffiths, Olivia Fogarty (Ainslie FC), Rebecca Neaves (Sandringham Dragons), Stasia Stevenson (Eastern Ranges), Angelina Torcasio (Eastern Ranges), Stella Rogers (Dandenong Stingrays), Nat Exon (St Kilda AFLW), Isabella Simmons (West Coast AFLW), Molly Bell (Northern Knights).
View the full VFLW list HERE.
Players to Watch
Rosie Dillon
A veteran in the brown and gold, a member of the Hawks’ 2018 VFLW Premiership side. Dillon returned to Box Hill in 2024 and had a memorable season, finishing runner-up in the club’s Best and Fairest count. Across her 14 games in 2024, she averaged 14 disposals and five tackles, and kicked six goals total. A heart and soul type player, Dillon is sure to lead by example and have an impact for the Hawks in 2025.
Maddi Torpey
Having joined the Hawks in the off-season, new recruit Maddi Torpey has already made an impression in the brown and gold. The 20-year-old was named in the leadership group and was the club’s sole VFLW representative in the State Team that played in the inaugural clash with the SANFL last weekend. A dynamic and aerial ruck with experience at the level, Torpey is bound to bring some excitement to Box Hill.
The fixture
The Hawks will play 14 regular season games in 2025, kicking off on Saturday morning against the Cats.
Box Hill will then host a game in Wonthaggi in Round 2, a doubleheader with both the VFL and VFLW sides taking on Port Melbourne
Their first home game at Box Hill City Oval comes in Round 3 against the Casey Demons, on Saturday May 3 from 11.35am.
Full Box Hill fixture details can be viewed HERE.
While the full VFLW fixture can be found HERE.
Where to watch
Every game will be streamed live and free on afl.com.au and the AFL Live Official App.
How to follow
You can keep up to date on team announcements, scores, highlights and more via the Box Hill Hawks VFLW social channels. Follow via Instagram and X.
