2017 William Buck Premier – Premier C fixtures released

The 2017 William Buck Premier – Premier C fixtures have been finalised and Round 1 promises to be a firm reminder of the high standard football in the VAFA with a number of blockbusters.

Old Xaverians will look to defend their 2016 title with a first round night clash against De La Salle. De La has added former Port Melbourne forward, Josh Scipione, to their potent line-up and will look to go one step further in 2017 and book a finals berth after falling one win short this year. Xavs lost four of their nine home games at Toorak Park on their way to the flag, including a Round 2 one-point thriller to De La, and will get the chance to showcase their new brand of ball under senior coach, James McDonald.

Old Trinity and University Blacks promises to be the headline match after both made finals appearances this year. The T’s will commence their search for their first William Buck Premier flag after narrowly missing out again in 2016, while the Blacks will showcase their improvement under Cam Roberts in his second season back at the helm.

St Kevin’s and University Blues will both have new senior coaches calling the shots when they meet at TH King Oval, with the mouth-watering prospect of ex-Richmond and Port Adelaide forward, Jay Schulz, debuting against Big V fullback, Hugh Vickers-Willis.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers return to the VAFA’s highest section against a new-look Collegians outfit, while Adam Schneider’s Beaumaris will lock horns with 2016 VAFA Coach of the Year, Nathan Brown, and his ever-impressive Old Melburnians.

Supporters need only wait until Round 4 for the William Buck Premier Grand Final re-match between the Xavs and T’s from Toorak Park.

St Bernard’s will face Premier C champions Mazenod in their first game back in Premier B, while Old Carey and Old Scotch will reignite rivalries for the first time since Round 15 last year when the Cardinals got up by 43 points in William Buck Premier.

Parkdale Vultures will be keen to improve on their seven wins from this season against Fitzroy. The Vultures should welcome back star forward, Matt Boland, after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Round 1 after kicking five goals to the start of the second quarter.

Peninsula’s first-ever game in Premier B will be a real test as they face off with a young and talented Old Brighton unit. The Tonners were the form side of the second half of the season this year, winning seven of their last eight games.

The Division 1 Grand Final re-match between Old Mentonians and Old Geelong will headline Premier C action, with the two sides going head-to-head for the third time since the second semi-final.

Hampton Rovers return to Premier C against Kew, while Marcellin and Old Camberwell will be looking to get off to a strong start after both sides won just 13 games between them this year.

For a full list of fixtures see below:

All Divisional fixtures will be finalised and released in the coming days.

William Buck Premier

Premier B

Premier C