2025 William Buck Premier Men’s Fixture
The 2025 William Buck Premier Men’s fixture has been released, with the Cardinals to unfurl their 2024 premiership flag ahead of an opening round blockbuster Preliminary Final rematch against St
Rich Hummerston
As the rain fell on Friday night and continued Saturday morning, you could almost hear the chorus of tiny hands rubbing together, it was finally a chance for the height-challenged men of our league to ply their craft. While the tall and silky players have enjoyed the spoils on an unseasonably warm start to the year, Saturday was the first chance for out the blue-collared men in the engine rooms to roll up their sleeves and get to work. However, after some research, spawned entirely through procrastination, I’ve learned that the weather pattern behind the reason Victoria has been in a state of perpetual dampness is now over, replaced with the dreaded El Nino. So don’t get excited little fellas, the wet weather will be few and far between, but I digress.
The Cobra cup was up for grabs at Canterbury Sports ground as the two cobras in the league dueled it out, with the home side Canterbury coming up trumps. Manningham sought revenge after a cruel defeat in last year’s semi-final, but the Cobra cup would remain an insurmountable peak for the lads from Manningham. Canterbury, boasting players in the ilk of Scott Fitzgerald and Jimmy Wilson up forward, lead from siren to siren, the delivery from Gillen and Walmsley superb. For the disappointing Mannigham, it was Layton Allan and Brendan McHugh who stood tall.
Barring a draw, the maiden victory for 2015 was assured in the clash between South Mornington and Mount Lilydale. With reports Mount Lilydale toyed with the idea of negotiating the 2-hour drive with the aid of a plane, they jumped out of the blocks early, and remained in front all day, notching up win number one in their return to the big leagues. While the Lilydale forwards were plagued with a case of the yips in front of goal, Sam Hickey through the midfield was sensational, capping off a brilliant fortnight for the young enforcer and Anthony Stockley chipped in with a great performance. South Mornigton were buoyed with efforts from Michael Johnson and Nathan Coy.
The re-introduction to the VAFA for Parkside hasn’t got any easier, suffering their 3rd straight defeat, sending them to cellar of the competition alongside Chadstone and South Mornington. Although their season got off to an agonizingly near perfect start, since then, it’s been joyless for the men from the other side of the Yarra. Despite getting off to a good start in the wet conditions, Box Hill rallied in the 2nd quarter to take a lead of 8-points, a lead which would have been much larger if Box Hill could kick straight. The conditions dried up in the second half, and Box Hill took full advantage, running home comfortable victors. Nicholas Burton, Shane Potter and Shane Mclaren were in great form for Parkside while for the victors, Rowan Lawrence was best-on for a third consecutive game and Colin Osborn had his own footy.
North Brunswick showed absolutely no mercy as they piled on an incredible 51 scoring shots against Chadstone, winning by 176 points in the process. Chadstone didn’t manage to find the big sticks in the extremely one-sided affair while North Brunswick helped themselves to 25 majors for the day.
Rounding out round three, was the game of the round in the battle of the west. With the much-improved Point Cook hosting the hardened boys from Westbourne Grammarians. Taking advantage of the breeze early, Westbourne kicked the first four goals of the game, before Point Cook managed to pinch the lead early in the third quarter, a lead Westbourne would never get back. Daniel Sidwell kicked three for Point cook, and Mason Kip had close to 50 possessions. For Westbourne it was Justin Johns with two majors and Micky Culliver who impressed the travelling fans.
With three rounds under the belt and the ladder starting to take shape, it’s possible to make selections with conviction and as such, I’m reckon I’ll tip the card this week. North Brunswick play host to Point Cook in the game of the round, and I’m tipping a fierce affair between the two. While Point Cook are on the up, they’ll find the going tough against the bearded brethren from Brunswick. Brunswick by 24 points here. Manningham have got their tail between their legs after a dreadful start to the year, but they will return to the winners list this week with a win over Masala. Canterbury will move to 4-0 in comfortable fashion over Mount Lilydale and Parkside will continue the inflict misery on Chadstone. Westbourne, after a disappointing loss last week will trounce South Mornington who have a lengthy commute across Melbourne.
North Brunswick v Point Cook
Westbourne Gr v South Mornington
Manningham v Masala
Mt Lilydale v Canterbury
Parkside v Chadstone
The 2025 William Buck Premier Men’s fixture has been released, with the Cardinals to unfurl their 2024 premiership flag ahead of an opening round blockbuster Preliminary Final rematch against St
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