Former Eastern Ranges captain Luke Hannon among a string of recruits at Boronia

The decorated junior captained the Ranges in 2014 before spending the past two seasons with Casey, where he cracked three senior VFL games in 2015.

But Hannon and younger brother Josh, who managed 30 games at the Ranges in the past two seasons, will call Tormore Reserve home in 2017.

Boronia coach Peter Brown said the pair had joined the Division 3 outfit to follow in the footsteps of their father, Greg, who played in the 1986 premiership and coached the club from 2003 to 2005.

“Luke had first division clubs knocking on his door and he came up to me one day and said him and his brother wanted to play here where it all started for their dad,” Brown said.

The Hawks have also nabbed talented under-19 midfielders Todd Kenny (Mulgrave), Jarrod Eccleston (Ferntree Gully), Mason Kirby (Upwey Tecoma) and Kane Milde (Upper Ferntree Gully), as well as Vermont reserves captain Luke Johnson.

Key position players Dean Black (Norwood) and Lindsay Palmer (returning) will add versatility at either end of the ground.

Centre-half forward Luke Hare (Knox) and centre-half back Jarryd Rutherford (returning) will strengthen the Hawks’ spine, while Jai Sartori (Upper Ferntree Gully) will slot in on a defensive flank.

Brendan Walsh has been the only confirmed departure, with the key defender set to return to Rowville.

Brown said the season would be a failure if the Hawks did not at least equal its 10-win season last year.

“Last year we didn’t have any big recruits but everyone was prepared to work hard and we had a little bit of success,” he said.

“We’ve set goals to make finals again and go a little bit further and I believe we have depth there to do it.

“They had a bit of taste of what we are after last year and the opportunity is there to go a little bit further.”