Hawthorn Football Club and Box Hill Hawks have announced a three-year extension of their partnership, making it the longest running VFL-AFL alignment in history.

Box Hill Hawks President, Ed Sill, announced the continued alignment at the VFL Season Launch on Tuesday night.

“The alliance with Hawthorn is one of the most successful VFL/AFL partnerships in the league and we are excited to continue our partnership until 2021.”

Read: How each listed Hawk performed in the VFL

Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves said the longstanding relationship between the clubs is something Hawthorn is incredibly proud of.

“We are thrilled that this new agreement will see Box Hill remain as an integral part of the Hawthorn family,” said Reeves.

“Our relationship is one based on mutual respect and we look forward to continuing to grow and strengthen both clubs over the next three years of our partnership.”

The Box Hill Hawks-Hawthorn Football Club is the sole original VFL/AFL alignment still in place.

The VFL is the state’s peak football competition and is considered the best outside of the elite Australian Football League. In the time that Box Hill-Hawthorn have been aligned, both clubs have celebrated premiership success.