Premier B Preview

Jake Morris

Beaumaris

After winning 11 games and missing out on finals action by mere percentage in 2018, ‘Bluey’ McKenna and the Sharks will be circling once again with their eye on a bounce back campaign. Dropping three of their last four games was the Sharks downfall in 2018, so there is no doubt they have the talent and coaching to feature prominently in Premier B, just putting it all together will be Guy McKenna’s biggest task.

Caulfield Grammarians

The Fields’ return to Premier B with a familiar face in tow, former AFL star Brendon Goddard will don the navy blue this year, a huge boost to an already promising squad. An impressive four-game winning streak to end the year set up a top four finish, though a 19-point loss at the hands of the Uni Blacks ended their dream run to Premiership silverware. Watch the Fields’ to feature prominently in 2019.

Fitzroy

After just one incredibly successful season in the Premier C competition, the Roys’ are now back in Premier B and on the hunt for back-to-back flags. Club stalwart and legend Rory Angiolella hung up the boots after over 20 years of loyal service to the club which will no doubt impact the Roys’ midfield, but with the help of second-year captain Julian Turner and co, the big shoes will be filled.

Monash Blues

Consecutive finals appearances prior to last season meant that 2018’s four-win campaign and 8^th placed finished may have come as a shock to the young up-and-coming side. A fresh approach should be the mindset for coach Mark Passador and his men, with new names Tom Le Lievre and Jack Kernan, as well as the returning Taylor Cameron, the Blues one-year finals hiatus should be a thing of the past at the end 2019.

Old Geelong

A Division 1 flag in 2016 and two years in Premier C has the Ogs’ fit for a deep run into Premier B. A disappointing result at the hands of the Roys’ in the Premier C Grand Final last year soured what was an otherwise successful season for the team, but with Scott Dixon joining Cal Wood as co-captains, and Nick Bourke at the helm, it is ‘Ogwards and Upwards’ for Old Geelong.

Old Haileyburians

Like 2016, the Bloods endured a rough Premier B campaign last year, managing just five wins and a 7^th placed finish. Like the Monash Blues, Head Coach Daniel Ward must be instructing his players to use that season as a learning curve to make them better for the long run. A talented list led by James Paul and Lachlan Treverton should see this proud club right the ship in 2019.

Old Scotch

Despite winning six games and staying competitive in most outings, the Cardinals will once again have to return to Premier B, finishing just one game back of that dreaded relegation zone. 15 wins in 2017 should give the Cards’ some confidence they can return to William Buck Premier, and with new captain Gene van der Broek leading the way alongside gun recruit Tom Downie through the ruck, it would take a brave soul to pick against them doing so.

Parkdale Vultures

After two years of steady improvement which saw them win five and six games respectively, new Head Coach Owen Lalor has expressed his intent to make 2019 the year for his revamped squad to make that leap towards the top half of the competition. The addition of former AFL young gun Harley Balic to mix with skipper Charlie Dillon in the Vultures midfield could spearhead a surprising 2019 campaign.

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers

St Bedes/Mentone Tigers return to Premier B for the first time since 2016 after a disappointing four-win season last year. Despite some list changes, the biggest off-season addition may be new Head Coach and former VAFA President Michael Hazell. A Premiership player with the Tigers from 2008, Hazell brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to a squad that’s ripe to return to William Buck Premier.

Uni Blacks

Cam Roberts and his University Blacks are back once again in Premier B after a heartbreaking 4-point defeat at the hands of Old Carey in last year’s Preliminary Final. This year, the Blacks will be looking to go one better and reclaim their rightful spot inside William Buck Premier, a spot this club has held for the better part of a decade.