TAKING A LOOK AT PREMIER C

Andrew Leonard

Premier C Round 1 opens with a bang on 13th April 2013 with two of the favourites for the flag to meet in a rematch of their one point thriller in the first semi final last year.
The VAFA Football Operations department have confirmed that this is a draft fixture only and the fixture is still subject to change, so don’t start your preseason spying on your round 1 opponent just yet.  
For now we can salivate at the prospect of Mazenod hosting Marcellin on their new patch at Central Reserve in just one of the many opening round highlights of the 2013 fixture. 
The other major highlight of the day is the Division 1 Grand Final rematch with Peninsula getting the chance to reverse last year’s decider with a home game against North Old Boys / St Patrick’s. 
Other highlights of the draw are: 

• PEGS host rivals Old Camberwell as both sides missed finals action on the final day of the season last year
• Oakleigh can launch their bid to return to Premier B with a home match against Banyule
• Monash Blues’s lucky reprieve to remain in Premier C commences with a home match against Old Ivanhoe. 

Premier C was the most open section in the VAFA last year and determining who has the best start to the year was a tricky one. 
This is how we see the draw for you club in the first six weeks of the year: 
BANYULE: Away to Oakleigh in week one the Bears have two home games against finals side Mazenod and promoted premiers NOBs/St Pat’s. Away trips to Old Camberwell and PEGS will be tough but with Monash Blues also at home the opportunity for a good start is there to be taken. B+
MARCELLIN: Early opportunity for redemption away to Mazenod in round 1 is followed by a home game against Oakleigh. Two weeks on the road to PEGS and NOBs/St Pat’s will be a test before hosting Old Camberwell and Monash Blues. Should be on pace early. A
MAZENOD: Play three of the new sides to the section – both relegated Premier B sides plus the promoted Peninsula – in the first five weeks. Away to Old Camberwell and Banyule but home to Marcellin should see the Nodders reach round 6 with a positive record. A
MONASH BLUES: Play the four new teams to the section in the first four weeks but will consider this a better option than playing eight new teams a section down. At home only twice in first half dozen with away trips to NOBs/St Pats and Marcellin the tough asks. C
NORTH OLD BOYS / ST PATRICK’S: Grand Final rematch away in round 1 is followed by a home game against Monash Blues. Banyule away then tough home games against Marcellin and PEGS will give an indication if they are up to the standard. B
OAKLEIGH: Commence with Banyule at home before playing the two Premier C finalists in consecutive weeks. Will have fellow relegated team Old Ivanhoe at home and make trips to Peninsula, Marcellin and Monash Blues. Relatively kind start. C+
OLD CAMBERWELL: Tricky opening few rounds with away matches at PEGS and Old Ivanhoe but have Peninsula and Banyule at home. Then next two will be telling as the ‘Wells play 2012 finalists Marcellin (away) and Mazenod (home). Big chance for a positive record after half a dozen matches. B
OLD IVANHOE: Start the campaign to bounce straight back to Premier B with an away game to Monash Blues. Home matches against Old Camberwell and PEGS follow before two weeks on the road to Mazenod and Oakleigh. Also host NOBs/St Pats. A
PEGS: Good but tought start to the year with Old Camberwell and Marcellin at home in the first three. Visit Old Ivanhoe in Round 2 and have the longest road trip of the section in round 4 when they travel to Peninsula. Play the Division 1 premiers NOBs/St Pat’s away then Banyule at home. C+
PENINSULA: Start at home with the Grand Final rematch against their conquerors NOBs /St Pat’s and also have home games against Monash Blues, PEGS, and Oakleigh. Only away to Old Camberwell and Mazenod. A dream start should be capitalised on. A+
Agree or disagree with the assessment? Tweet @LennyVAFA to grade your team’s start to the year and include the hashtags #vafafixture and #vafapremc.
The 2013 fixture will be available after the VAFA’s AGM on Monday 3rd December 2012.