2018 Premier B fixture

The 2018 fixture for Premier B has been released and it all kicks off with the Mark Williams-led Ajax taking on the Daniel Ward-led Old Haileybury. The reigning Premier C champions will return to Premier B after just one year in C, while the Jackas will be hoping to kick-start their finals campaign with a win after finishing just one game outside the four this year.

Guy McKenna will lead his young school of Sharks for the first time when they host Parkdale Vultures at Banksia Reserve. With the recent opening of a new first-class pavilion, the atmosphere at Shark Park will be at an all-time high as they look to bounce back after registering just three wins in William Buck Premier.

St Bernard’s and Monash Blues will reignite their rivalry at the Snake Pit after both sides went one-all throughout the home and away season, before the Snow Dogs triumphed by 13 points in the first semi-final. When they last met at the Snake Pit in Round 5 this year, it was the Blues who proved too strong with a 10-point victory.

Caulfield Grammarians and Old Carey will do battle at Glenhuntly Oval in the Fields’ first Premier B match since 2015. The Fields spent the large majority of the 2017 season on top of the Premier B ladder but didn’t have an answer for the Bloods throughout the finals series. The Panthers struggled throughout the first half of 2016 and finished with just six wins despite boasting one of the most talented lists in Premier B.

Capping off a fantastic first round of Premier B football will be the return of University Blacks and their match-up with Mazenod. The Blacks suffered relegation on the back of four wins this year but will enter the season as one of the firm favourites to bounce straight back into William Buck Premier. They will, however, be without Big V star, Tyrone Bean, who ruptured his ACL in Ireland. The Nodders impressed throughout 2017 as they look to build upon a strong foundation of young talent. Despite a percentage of just 70.48, the Nodders were only two wins behind the Blues in fourth spot.