In a recruitment coup, the Box Hill Hawks have secured the services of Sam Iles for season 2013, as Paul Hooper reports. Iles has spent the last three seasons at the Gold Coast Suns. In 2010 the Suns played in the VFL competition where Iles won their Best and Fairest award and then played in the first 2-years of the club’s AFL history.
Previous to that, Iles spent a season with the Box Hill Hawks (2009) where he won the club’s Best and Fairest award, the Col Austen Trophy.
“Sammy” had his first AFL stint at Collingwood in 2006-2008 where he played 7 games before being delisted and was then recruited by the Box Hill Hawks.
Several other clubs chased Iles hard for his services for 2013, but Sam was very happy to do a deal with Box Hill.
“My time at the Suns was a completely different experience, being involved in starting a new AFL franchise from the VFL year and throughout the first two seasons at AFL level.
“It was very different to an established AFL club such as Collingwood as the Suns players were set the task of developing a club culture/leadership with only a handful of guys that were over the age of 22,” Iles said.
Iles wasn’t expecting his de-listing at the end of season 2012. He believes he was still in the club’s best 10-15 players. In a new club short of experienced players he believes he had much more to offer the younger players with his experience and leadership.
Aged just 25, it seems that Sam Iles has been around forever. He is a perfect fit for the Box Hill Hawks midfield and will have a great impact with the younger players.
“There isn't one player on the list from my previous season there.
“Damien Carroll, the other coaches and all the boys have so far made my return to Box Hill very enjoyable.
“We definitely have an exciting list for 2013 and being only 25 I believe I still have a lot to offer at Box Hill. I am looking forward to helping the boys have a good season and play good finals footy and going as deep into September as we can,” added Iles.
Box Hill Hawks Coach, Damian Carroll is very positive about Iles return.
“Sam is a quality experienced midfielder who fills the age gap between our young guys and senior players. His value to us this year is exciting and it’s great to see him back at Box Hill,” Carroll said.
Another signing is ex-Brisbane Lion, Bryce Retzlaff, a 195cm key forward expected to play a big role with the Hawks once he has recovered from a knee injury.
With players re-signing to the club such as Daniel Pratt, Luke Andrews, David Mirra, Michael Thompson, Xavier Murphy, Marc Lock, Will Johnson, Jason Salopek, Liam Tobin, Sam Cust, Kalem Post and Ben Monkhorst just to name a few, the Box Hill Hawks will look to and remedy that elusive 12-year premiership drought.
Last Modified on 30/01/2013 12:22