Run home in Premier B

New writer: Euan MacDonald

The 5^th of August saw a bye round for Premier B, providing a much-needed break to teams as they prepare for what is sure to be a nail-biting and cut-throat final four rounds of the 2017 season. Seven sides remain on the cusp of a finals berth, with just one game separating 4th place to 7th. With the bye round behind us, let’s take a quick look ahead at the run home for each of the Premier B contenders, it’s sure to be an eventful final four rounds.

Old Brighton Grammarians – 1^st place, 54 points, 202.65%

The minor premiership looks likely for Old Brighton, who have brought a dominant display to their 2017 season and are still yet to record a loss for the year. There could be some danger games ahead with St Bernards, Ajax, Old Carey and Mazenod all fighting for a finals berth, but it seems that first place is currently theirs to lose. They sit two wins clear of Old Scotch (with whom they fought out a draw in Round 8 this season), which looks to be a tantalising match up come first round of finals.

Old Scotch – 2^nd place, 46 points, 162.95%

The Cardinals will be looking to bounce back after their loss to ladder leaders Old Brighton in blustery conditions last round, with next week’s game against Peninsula providing a good chance for the Old Scotch boys to find their way back onto the winners list. A home ground advantage in the following two games against Fitzroy and Mazenod give OId Scotch a strong chance to lock in second place on the ladder, as they sit three wins clear of St Bernards on 36 points. It will be important in these final four games for The Cardinals to hit their straps if they are to bring their A-game against Old Brighton come round 1 of finals.

St Bernards – 3^rd place, 36 points, 138.22%

St Bernards face a huge challenge this week coming up against top of the table Old Brighton in what could be one of the games of the round. A home ground advantage gives the Snow Dogs every chance to snap a two-game losing streak following their surprise round 14 loss to Carey at the Snake Pit. Look for Adam Bentick to put his hand up this round, the gun midfielder was quiet in his sides’ Round 6 loss to Old Brighton, however, the Snow Dogs will need contributions from more than just him if they are going to stand a chance against the dominant Tonners.

Ajax – 4^th place, 28 points, 109.92%

Fourth spot is where the premier B ladder really starts heating up, starting with Ajax sitting on seven wins. With just five percentage points separating them and the Blues (also on seven wins) They will have to make the most of their last four games if they want to remain in the top four come season’s end. An away game against Mazenod this week could spell danger for the Jackas, followed by tough games against Old Brighton, St Bernards and Fitzroy – Ajax will have to play some seriously good footy in the remaining four rounds to keep their finals hopes alive.

Monash Blues – 5^th place, 28 points, 104.36%

Arguably one of the easier runs home, Monash faces 8^th placed Parkdale and 10^th placed Peninsula in their final four rounds, with tough matches against St Bernards and Old Carey set to be the real hurdles for the Blues. They can’t afford to become complacent, however – and surely won’t have forgotten their 4-point loss to cellar dwellers Peninsula in Round 8 of this year. With Ajax’ tough run home, the Blues seem well poised to snatch 4^th place from the Jackas.

Old Carey – 6^th place, 24 points, 103.06%

Sitting one win and a handful of percentage points behind Ajax and Monash Blues means that making any form of September action will be a very big ask of the Panthers, however, they are coming into the bye round with blistering hot form. Coming off the back of four consecutive wins, including a dominant performance against Ajax in Round 11, the Panthers look to have really hit their straps for the first time this season. Games against Fitzroy FC and Mazenod could see their streak stretch out to six wins, before they come up against a formidable Old Brighton side which could well decide the fate of their 2017 season. If they are still in the hunt come Round 18, a home game against the Monash Blues could well see the two teams duelling it out for the 4^th spot and a finals berth.

Mazenod – 7^th place, 24 points, 73.4%

A weak percentage looks set to be the biggest hurdle for the Nodders’ finals chances this year, but, as it stands they are only sitting one win from fourth spot. It seems unlikely however as they come into a packed final four rounds which includes 3 of the current top 4 sides. Stranger things have happened but it seems that the 2017 season may be done and dusted for the Nodders.

Parkdale Vultures, Fitzroy FC, Peninsula

With the Vultures and Fitzroy currently sitting on 4 wins a piece, it will require a mighty effort from the Pirates to avoid relegation back into Premier C come season’s end. Conversely, one or two wins to either Parkdale or Fitzroy should be enough for the struggling sides to retain their place in Premier B, allowing them to regroup and rebuild for another tilt next year.