EFNL 2025: How Boronia has adapted to Eastern’s Division 1

It has played just two games in a month in an unorthodox start to life in Eastern’s Division 1 – not that it has impacted Boronia’s win-loss ratio. Here’s what the Hawks have learnt.

EFNL 2025: Boronia's Josh Begley was best afield on the weekend in his first match since last year’s GF. Picture: Field of View Photography

It has played just two games in a month.

Not that it has impacted its win-loss ratio.

Boronia lifted its record to 2-0 with a 17.10 (112) to 6.8 (44) victory over 2024 finalist Montrose on Saturday, to begin life in Eastern’s Division 1.

But it’s been an unorthodox start.

Despite a curveball on the eve of Round 1 with a bye owing to Doncaster’s withdrawal, followed by the Easter break, the Hawks’ limited time on-field has brought many lessons according to senior coach Matt Clark.

A six-point, narrow escape against Bayswater in Round 2 kickstarted its campaign.

“For us it’s been fairly disruptive – we’ve had no flow so far,” Clark said.

“(Against Bayswater) we just got a really good feel for what Division 1 football is – faster, more turnovers … I think the guys stood up in the heat of the day.

“(Against Montrose) it was just a really good team performance – I think we set ourselves to play against a finalist from last year and see where we could sit in this division.

“But we’re also really cognisant that it is early and sides will be up and down a bit early.

“We think our best is going to be really competitive but we’ve been made really aware that when we turn the ball over, the opposition are going to score really quickly in this division.”

It’s little surprise to see Josh Begley and two-time Division 2 league medallist Mitch Mellis take to the division with no worries – with the dynamic duo finishing among the best two afield on the weekend.

“They’ve both played at higher levels so you’d imagine playing in Division 1 isn’t going to be (a shock) for them, Clark said.

“That’s the way they train and prepare, as much as it’s probably not expected of them, it’s really pleasing to see their workrate and energy they bring to the group.

“Begley hadn’t played a practice match so that was his first game since last year’s grand final.”

But they haven’t been the only standouts.

“In the ruck Josh Hannon’s been super for us and just a couple of positional changes where Ryan White’s come into the midfield and a couple of others have been high contributors for us,” Clark said.

“We’re trying a few things early because we know every player has to be able to play two positions or more.”

Boronia is away to Beaconsfield in Round 4 as it plays its second game in a row for the first time this season.