Premier B Men’s: Season Review

Jake Morris

Another season of irregularities and disruptions saw our Premier B season cut short after just 11 rounds, a mere 55 times we were able to immerse ourselves in local footy and get amongst some of the greatest sporting communities in Victoria. Here’s hoping this is the final year of interruptions and 2022 can bring back some familiarities we last had in September of 2019.

University Blacks
Minor premiers for the first time in seven years, the Blackers were well on their way to capturing their first premiership since 2014. After an outstanding 10-1 year that saw them post the highest average scoring total in the competition (95), hold the highest average point-differential (46) and of course, boast a quartet of stars that featured in the top-10 of the GT Moore Medal in Jack Charleston, Louis Vescio, Josh Steadman, and Matt Dea. Like the umpire votes, the dominant Blackers shared the goals with Nick Hey (19), Daniel McCullough (16) and Darren Mumford (13) their best.

Beaumaris
The Sharks were a defensive stalwart all season long, conceding a league low 46 points per game with just two outings where opponents kicked more than eight goals against them. Thanks to their round fourteen win over Haileybury, Beauy leaped into the top 2 and were potentially into William Buck Premier for the first time since 2017. Donning a new piece of silverware, Lewis Diggins was a worthy co-winner of this year’s GT Moore Medal for his instrumental role on the Sharks’ half-back line.

Old Haileyburians
A side that had tread water in Premier B in the last few seasons, the Bloods used an incredible off-season that saw 2021 GT Moore Medal co-winner Brede Seccull return to the fold, as well as brother Durras, Jackson Ross and Sam Loewe coming aboard, turning into a competition powerhouse seemingly overnight. Durras finished third in the Premier B goal kicking with 21 from his 11 games, while Ross booted 18 from just five. There’s no doubt the Bloods will be busting the door down to get to William Buck Premier in 2023.

De La Salle
De La’s return to Premier B ended with eight wins and a top 4 finish, a positive result overall after a disappointing 2019. Highlighted by a six-game winning streak midway through the season, the Blue & Gold showed how dominant they can be when firing on all cylinders. Star midfield duo Hugh Nicholson and Darren Minchington featured prominently in the GT Moore Medal count, with the former finishing in third, while Adrian Indovino was an offensive juggernaut with 24 majors on the year.

St. Bede’s Mentone/Tigers
Much like the last two seasons, the Tigers were just a few clicks off the ladder leaders but good enough to remain in the competition for a third consecutive playing year. Despite finishing the year with just four wins from eleven games, the Tigers had a positive average point-differential, pointing to their ability to hang with the best. James Mangoni finished the year leading the competition’s goal kicking tally with 28 majors while veteran Josh Cowan once again shone brightly with a mention in the GT Moore Medal top 10 following a 10-vote season.

Fitzroy
Two wins to end the year saw the Roys jump from ninth into sixth and well and truly clear of any Premier C return in 2022 (were that to happen), a fantastic result for a club riddled with injuries for most of the year. Donovan Toohey’s goal after the siren to snatch victory from St. Bede’s still sits high on some of the greatest moments of the season while the continued inspired play from youngsters Ted Clayton and Darcy Bennett should have Roys fans excited for the future.

Williamstown CYMS
Season 2021 marked the highest point the CYs have ever reached in their clubs’ history in the VAFA competition, a fantastic effort from everyone involved to not only reach the dizzying heights of Premier B but to also stay in the competition going forward. They won four games and finished in seventh spot. Despite the departure of beloved head coach Mathew Montebello, the club remains in safe hands for years to come with the likes of Dylan Jones and Kallan Dawson as senior staples.

AJAX
A positive season for the Jackas who were able to lock in another year in the competition while further developing some of their star youngsters. Elliot Debinski made the seamless transition to a ruck/forward hybrid, gun Toby Sheezel patrolled the wing while his younger brother Harry kicked four on debut now finds himself on the Sandringham Dragons TAC Cup side. Back in Premier B and here to stay.

Old Carey
On the other side of the coin, an otherwise disappointing season for the Panthers as they won just three games and finished in ninth spot on the ladder. Zander Adam led courageously with five votes in the GT Moore Medal while he and Tom Jepson were each named in the best players seven times. The loss of players from Carey was well documented heading into the year, and with star quality in Ben Jepsen heading to the VFL during the year it certainly didn’t help matters. An incredibly young side, expect the Panthers to bounce back quickly.

Parkdale Vultures
Like Carey, the Vultures entered the year on the backfoot with several players heading elsewhere, putting the writing on the wall early that this was a year to develop the younger talent at the club. Cooper Balic was terrific all season for the Vultures while Charlie Yee, who is barely 19 years of age, will be front and centre for the clubs best and fairest. The Vultures are a proud club and if they decide to make a return to Premier C, there shouldn’t be any doubt of a return to the competition in coming years.