Hawthorn withdraws players from the VFL, reducing Box Hill Hawks to stand-alone team

Box Hill has been stunned to learn Hawthorn players won’t be playing in the VFL this year, forcing them to source more players for their squad as they effectively become a stand-alone team.

Box Hill Hawks players celebrate a goal against Coburg last year.

Hawthorn has pulled its players from the VFL this year, effectively reducing Box Hill Hawks to a stand-alone team.

It’s understood the AFL Hawks told their long-time VFL partner yesterday that none of their players would appear in the state league this season owing to the coronavirus crisis.

The move shocked Box Hill, which must now source more players for its list.

The club informed its players of the move yesterday.

Last year Box Hill had on average 16 Hawthorn players in its team each round.

The AFL announced on Monday that the VFL season had been pushed back to May 31 because of the pandemic.

Brett Deledio after playing his last game for the Giants.

The Hawks recruited strongly ahead of their intended April 3 kick-off, locking away former AFL trio Brett Deledio, Andy Otten and Josh Deluca, as well as ex-Essendon rookie Trent Mynott.

High-profile pair Deledio and Otten have part-time development coaching roles with the AFL side.

Hawthorn assistant coach Max Bailey coaches the VFL Hawks.

Box Hill and Hawthorn have been aligned since 2000, when the VFL competition absorbed the AFL reserves teams.

The partnership has produced three premierships as well as draftees including Hawthorn champion Sam Mitchell and Ben McGlynn.

This afternoon the Hawks said they had segregated the AFL and VFL programs as part of standard quarantine practices, but had made no decision on what would occur for the rest of the season.

Every AFL-listed Hawk has been absorbed into the AFL program and separated from the VFL program.

Box Hill Hawks GM Daniel Napoli declined to comment.