Premier B belongs to Brighton

Euan MacDonald

The 2017 Premier B season brought with it a dominant display from the Old Brighton Grammarians, who rollicked their way to double premiership flags in both their seniors and reserves squads. The seniors, having lost just one game throughout the home and away season, faced off against Old Scotch after defeating the Cardinals two weeks earlier in the first round of finals. The players went in full of confidence led by strong performances from co-captains Dylan Verney and Harry Hill, with Verney being named Ian Cordner Medalist and Hill slotting three goals for the day. The Tonners secured a three-goal margin at half time, and after an arm-wrestle of a third quarter, controlled the pace and flow of the final term to run out six-goal winners. It topped of an impressive season for the Grammarians, leaving them with their first premiership since 2013 and returning them to William Buck Premier.

Throughout the season, spearheads Alex Mastromanno and Michael Karayannis featured prominently in front of the big sticks, each of them slotting an impressive 41 majors for the season. Co-Captains Dylan Verny and Harry Hill were recurringly in the best and coach Greg Hutchison exuded tactical genius. The only slip up for the season came in an unlikely 44-point loss to St Bernard’s in Round 15, with a draw to Old Scotch in Round 8 also standing in the way of an undefeated season.

Although the season ended in disappointing fashion, Old Scotch worked their way back into William Buck Premier. Facing Old Brighton in the first round of the finals would have been a daunting task for the Cardinals and after a four-goal loss they regrouped to face a driven St Bernard’s in the preliminary final. The Snow Dogs threw everything at the Cardinals, with the match heading to an incredible overtime finish. The Cardinals secured the win, but whether this marathon game effected their fitness leading into the grand finale against the Tonners remains to be unseen. A breakout season for James Sansom, along with strong performances year-round from Jack Bull saw them through their impressive year. Jordan Clarke was their leading goal scorer for the year with 39 majors.

The Snow Dogs returned strongly from relegation in 2017, and after fighting their way to third place, would have fancied their chances against the minor premiers had they come up against them after being the only team to defeat them for the 2017 season. St Bernard’s steamed into Premier B with four straight wins, and looked to be hitting their straps with a few rounds left in the year with big wins against Old Brighton, Monash Blues and AJAX. A narrow win over the Monash Blues saw them into a semi against Old Scotch, but they were bested in an extra time classic which left them agonisingly short. A ripper year from Adam Bentick along with 30-odd goals for Christopher Spinella, Edyn Sibbald and Jack McNamara led the way for the Snow Dogs.

Monash Blues rounded out the top four in Premier B this year and for the second year in a row they bowed out of contention after a loss in the first week of finals. Making the finals was still a feat for the Blues after going 2-4 in the first six rounds of the season. They bounced back and fought their way into the top four, securing their place with two rounds to go after winning six of their last seven games of the home and away season. The loss in these 7 games was to St Bernard’s however, and facing them in the first week of finals proved to be their downfall – although the match was only decided by 13 points. Joe Harrison and Charles Cosgriff were standouts throughout the season.

Towards the end of the season, it became apparent there was only one other real contender for finals success, which came in the form of Mark Williams’ AJAX football club. The Jackers had threatened to look dangerous throughout the season but never managed to convert their strengths into regular on-field success. They fell two games and 11% short of securing a finals position. Josh Ludski and Nicholas Lewis proved to be regular contributors on the field, while Premier B leading goalkicker Jake Lew slotted 46 goals for the season in a stellar performance.

Joining Premier B after securing the 2016 Premier C premiership, Mazenod had a troubling start to their campaign. Two huge losses to St Bernard’s and Old Brighton, which, in hindsight were always going to be difficult starts to the season, had the Nodders struggling to impose themselves on the competition.  Throughout the year they managed to fight out the close games, with five of their eight wins by less than three goals. Dean Izon showed his prowess throughout the season whilst Brad Kovac provided firepower up forward with 25 goals.

After suffering relegation from William Buck Premier, Old Carey would have been looking to prove their worth in Premier B in 2017. Unfortunately for them they struggled throughout the year, managing only six wins for the season. Their year featured some close losses but overall the club struggled to find their feet after relegation, and only secured their spot in Premier B for 2018 by eight premiership points. A positive for the year was the outstanding season from recruit Marc Lock, who featured regularly in the best on for the Panthers. Sam Cust was their leading goal scorer with an admirable 28 goals.

Once again avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth, Parkdale Vultures will rue another season spent towards the bottom of the ladder. The season started poorly for the Vultures after going 2-5 in the first seven rounds and they struggled to find form against stronger opponents. A lot of work is needed to lift the Vultures from the bottom of the table in 2018, but players like Matthew Boland (35 goals) and Jason Bristow form the foundations of a team with the potential to be stronger in future years.

After narrowly missing the top four in 2016, Fitzroy seemingly lost their bite this year. Two wins throughout the year against Old Carey along with a win against AJAX showed a taste of the ‘Roys of 2016, but they were unable to capture any of that form as a string of injuries curtailed their season. A disappointing year and tight finish sees them heading to Premier C for the 2018 season.

A disheartening year for the Peninsula Old Boys after climbing to Premier B for the first time in the club’s history. Being unable to play at the school for most of the season railroaded any potential run of form for the Pirates as they return to Premier C with far more experience under their belt.

Premier: Old Brighton

Ian Cordner Medallist: Dylan Verney (Old Brighton)

GT Moore Medallist: Harry Hill (Old Brighton)

Leading Goal Kicker: Jake Lew (Ajax) – 46