Box Hill's campaign continues to go from strength to strength, with the club's program repeatedly producing top-end talent both on and off the field.
In 2021 alone, Box Hill has seen two of its players, Lachlan Bramble and Jai Newcombe, join Hawthorn's AFL list while two members of the administration staff, John Cavarra and Jack Prato, have joined the Hawthorn and Collingwood AFL programs respectively in recent weeks.
All of that in addition to Senior Coach Sam Mitchell, who will be handed the Hawthorn coaching reins from Alastair Clarkson at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
On the weekend, Box Hill took on a makeshift side made up of Carlton and North Melbourne players in a unique scratch match arrangement given the club's bye.
Only six AFL-listed Hawks pulled on a brown and gold jumper on the day, with the remainder of the team consisting of VFL-listed and community level players.
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Understandably, the Blues-Roos, if you like, proved too strong, triumphant to the tune of 10 goals, but Mitchell's attention was not so much on the result, but rather the opportunity provided to the younger end of his VFL list.
"In an unusual game where we had just six AFL-listed players playing against 20 from two different clubs, it was a great day for opportunity and experience, and to try a few new things," Mitchell said.
"We lost by 10 goals in the end and that was probably a fair representation of the gap between the two sides.
"But it was a great opportunity for some of our young Box Hill listed players to get some experience at the level."
As much as Box Hill has an eye on success, hunting its first VFL premiership since 2018, the club also shows a visible intent to ensure that it doesn't place a ceiling on its players or staff.
Led by a man who was drafted out of Box Hill before going on to have a decorated AFL career, there is an authenticity to this pursuit.
"A big part of what we are trying to achieve at Box Hill is to get our people into further programs," Mitchell said.
"The Box Hill-Hawthorn relationship continues to be really strong and a great example of the stepping stone that we can provide to the elite levels.
"The weekend just gone was another example of our great connection which helps towards building a great community side of our club, where we are giving exposure and experience to young high-performers from amateur level and local footy level.
"We had guys like Lachie Wynd from Rowville and Campbell Tweedie from Old Brighton in the VAFA playing with us on the weekend and, talking to them about their experiences post-game, they loved it!
"One of them was a Carlton supporter and I think he was a bit starstruck about playing against some of the Blues boys, so that's a really rewarding component that we're trying to create."
