EFL 2019: Boronia retains its premiership squad as it hunts consecutive flags

Boronia will tackle 2019 with effectively the same group that took it to a surprise Division 3 premiership last year.

Boronia has retained its premiership team.

Boronia will tackle 2019 with effectively the same group that took it to a surprise Division 3 premiership last year.

The Hawks have retained all their premiership players and will again look to develop the youth that shocked undefeated Ringwood in last year’s decider.

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Former Knox and Wantirna South midfielder Jack Hare is the only signing of note, while brother Luke will also return to Tormore Reserve.

Boronia coach Matt Clark said the Hawks would have a stable list this year as they vie for consecutive titles.

Boronia mentor Matt Clark. Picture: James Ross/AAP

“Because there were 15 players 21 and under in the grand final side, we think we’ve got a heap of improvement and we want to keep on the same track we did before, which is giving those guys the opportunity,” Clark said.

“They’ve done nothing wrong so far, they’ve worked hard and got the reward and we really want to keep challenging them to get better and compete even harder.

“We haven’t gone out trying to recruit tons of players. We still might add one or two as the pre-season goes on, but we haven’t got too many irons in the fire.

“We really want to promote the list we’ve got.”

Boronia also expects to see more of Lachlan Watson (returning), Luke Leeson (injury) and Jarryd Rutherford (work commitments) this season.

Fringe pair Ryan Warren (Ringwood) and Luke Johnson (overseas) are the only departures.

Boronia was not promoted last year as part of the Eastern Football League restructure and has a chance to become the first club to win consecutive third-tier flags.

But Clark has refused to mention the prospect of back-to-back premierships.

“We won’t speak about that until we’re in a position we can and at the moment we know the sides coming down are going to be a lot stronger than the sides in the past,” he said.

“We also know there are some sides within this division that will be dirty they didn’t win it so they’re going to come extra hard.”

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