David Mirra to play with VAFA Premier club Collegians
The Lions confirmed today they had secured the former Hawthorn and Box Hill Hawks defender, who was being chased by a string of local clubs.
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A recruiting coup for Collegians.
The VAFA Premier power today confirmed they had secured former Hawthorn and Box Hill Hawks defender David Mirra, who was pursued by a long list of local clubs, particularly from the Eastern league.
Box Hill Hawks were also keen to regain the right-footer, who in 2017 was drafted by Hawthorn at the age of 26.
He played 11 AFL games, four of them this year, when he also brought up his 150th match for the Box Hill Hawks in the VFL.
Mirra was named captain of the Box Hill Hawks’ All Stars team, chosen to mark the 20th year of the VFL alignment between Box Hill and Hawthorn.
His other honours included the Box Hill Hawks captaincy, two VFL premierships and best and fairests, state selection, four VFL team-of-the-year jumpers and the Norm Goss Medal as best-afield in the 2018 VFL grand final.
Some Box Hill officials regard him as the club’s greatest player.
Mirra was 27 when he made his AFL debut early last season against Melbourne.
“Yeah, a good age,’’ he told Leader ahead of his 150th VFL game.
“I wanted to be drafted straight out of the under-18s from the Eastern Ranges. When I look back at it, while I was upset and disappointed and frustrated, I’m grateful for the path that I took.
“I was fortunate to go to a great club like Box Hill and at the same time sort out my life off the field. I was able to knock off a double degree and work full-time.’’
Collegians coach Shane Joyce said the club was thrilled to land Mirra.
“His credentials as a player and leader at VFL level are outstanding, and then he got an opportunity for a couple of years at Hawthorn, which was testament to his persistence,’’ Joyce said.
“We’re just thrilled to have someone of his calibre join our football club.
“We’re at the stage where we’re looking to revitalise our list. Our window is still open to compete for a premiership and getting David to our club will give us a boost heading into the pre-season.’’
In another lifter for the Lions, former Bombers and Kangaroo Alex Morgan has stepped away from the VFL and will play solely with Collegians in 2020.
It’s believed the Lions are close to locking in another player coming off an AFL list.