Premier B 2016 preview

By David Chalmers

Welcome to another season of Premier B footy for 2016. Last season saw history created as St Kevin’s completed an incredible 20-0 season and finally made the step up after 10 years in Premier B. They were joined by Old Melburnians who had the SKOBs on the ropes in the big one but couldn’t keep them at bay, eventually going down by 11 points. At the other end of the ladder, Caulfield struggled all year for two wins and Mazenod had to win in the last round to stay in Premier B but were unable to. Both teams will look to regroup in Premier C. We are joined by Old Scotch and Beaumaris from William Buck Premier, and Old Haileybury and Monash Blues are up from Premier C.

Ajax has become the Premier B mainstays, suiting up for a fifth straight season. The Jackas finished 2015 with a third consecutive fifth placing, missing out on finals action by percentage. They spent most of the season, along with Fitzroy and the Rovers, outside finals contention but above relegation and will be keen to take the next step. Former AFL player, Marty Pask, has been reappointed for another season and says AJAX aims to take another step forward in 2016 to compete with and against the more established Clubs.

“I feel our players have a greater understanding of what is required to consistently challenge the competition and I feel we are well prepared and have the understanding of what it takes,” Pask says.

The Beaumaris Sharks return to Premier B after three seasons in William Buck Premier, with decorated Sharks legend, Brayden Haynes, reappointed as coach for 2016. President John Murton says “it was not an auspicious start for me as President in 2015 with our senior team being relegated to Premier B after three years in the Premier Division of VAFA”.

“However, we have quickly put aside the disappointment and are keenly looking forward to what has become a Bayside challenge with seven of the 10 teams in Premier B being local sides. This should ensure willing contests and big crowds.”

Fitzroy coach Michael Pickering is back on board and will be joined by 2015 Senior Assistant, Nick Mitchell, in a co-coaching role. The Roys, home to 2015 GT Moore Medallist Rory Angiolella, won eight games in 2015 and were one of a number of clubs stuck in the middle of the pack for most of the season.

Mitchell says the Roys play an exciting style of football and the effort and intensity in 2015 was fantastic.

“As a young group I really believe there will be some natural improvement, particularly with further strength and fitness training in the pre-season,” he says.

“If we had taken our chances last year we would have played finals, so we are not far off where we need to get to. Now is the time to make our mark.”

The Hampton Rovers have the opportunity to establish some consistency in 2016, as they will be playing in the same grade two years in a row for the first time in at least five seasons. The Rovers won six games and spent most of the season stuck in the middle regions of the ladder. For various reasons, they ended up using 56 players in their senior team, which was always going to hamper their efforts for on-field success. Owen Lalor is the new man in charge at Boss James Reserve, taking over from Guy Martyn who led the Rovers for the previous three seasons and took them from Division 1 in 2013 up to Premier B.

Monash Blues has been Premier C regulars for the past few seasons but there has been a clear upward progression and they’ve finally taken the step up to Premier B thanks to a top two finish. The promotion was soured somewhat by the fact they were toppled in the Premier C Grand Final by fourth-placed Old Haileybury. Paul Groves is at the helm again and President Julian Smith says the Club is brimming with excitement at the prospect of returning to Premier B for the first time since 1992.

“We are hopeful of being competitive each week, and holding our own as we find our feet in what is sure to be an intensely competitive grade,” he says.

“Our players and committee have been working hard to ensure we are as well prepared as we can be and, whatever happens, our Club is determined to enjoy the year in the upper reaches of the VAFA.”

Old Brighton were a permanent fixture in the top four last season, despite going through what president Shane Young described as the worst run of injuries to our senior players in our Club’s history. 2016 promises to be a season of consolidation. From a playing point of view, the off-season was quite a turbulent one, losing quality players including Jon Perrett, Marcel Bruin, Ben Gadsden, Nick Marston, Michael Dewar and Tom Skewes. Such a turnover will inevitably have on-field consequences. Dylan Verney has been appointed captain and is supported by a core of experienced players including Ben Jakobi, Ben Austen, Dan Anthony and Tom Mariani.

Old Haileybury return to Premier B riding high on the most unlikely of premiership victories. Finishing the Premier C season in fourth place, they made a clean sweep of the finals, culminating in an eight-goal victory against the highly fancied Monash Blues. Coach Daniel Hughes has been re-appointed following last year’s ultimate success.

After 35 years in the top flight, Old Scotch find themselves in unfamiliar territory after they were relegated to Premier B following a disappointing 2015. The Cardinals, led once again by Mark Passador, will look to establish themselves early in their new environment to give themselves a good opportunity to get back to William Buck Premier. President Peter Warner says “with the number of players returning, OSFC are looking forward with anticipation to the season with success and enjoyment in mind”.

“We have formed a second Under 19 team thanks to the growing number of young players joining the club which is a positive sign for our long term future.”

Parkdale Vultures will be keen to take advantage of their fortunate finish to 2015 – they avoided relegation by a mere three percent thanks to some Round 18 results going their way. Sam Radford takes charge for a sixth consecutive season.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers may well feel a bit miffed finding themselves back in Premier B for another season. Relegated at the end of 2014 after several years in the top flight, they cruised through the season clearly the second best team behind St Kevin’s, but failed to rise to the occasion when it counted – finals time. Steve Ryan has taken the coaching reins, replacing Mick Dwyer and they’ll saddle up again and see if they can go one better.

Scribe Predictions

Premier: St Bedes/Mentone Tigers

Top Four: St Bedes/Mentone Tigers, Old Scotch, AJAX & Beaumaris