For the Love of the Game prediction time + William Buck Premier Men’s coaches picks

It’s FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME’s ‘Crystal Ball Show’ as the team peer deep into the future and predict with absolutely no certainty whatsoever the finalists and premiers up and down the sections, as well as the William Buck Premier Men’s leading goalkicker, Woodrow Medallist, youngsters to watch and their locks for Big V selection.

WILLIAM BUCK PREMIER MEN’S 2025 COACHES’ POLL

All ten Premier Men’s coaches were polled this week, and all 10 predict that reigning premiers Old Scotch and minor premiers Old Brighton will be heading for post-season action once again.

8 of the 10 coaches expect St Kevin’s to continue their remarkable September run, while Old Xaverians and University Blues were other popular picks to return to finals footy this year.

When it came to THE team to beat, Old Brighton received 4 opposition coach votes as premiership favourite, slightly edging Old Scotch with 3, while St Kevin’s polled 2 and Old Xaverians 1.

According to the coaches, the final leaderboard for the Woodrow Medal, awarded to the league’s Best and Fairest player, will feature some familiar names. 2022 winner Harry Hill stands as the most popular choice, followed closely by Marcus Stavrou and reigning medallist Sam Fisher. Additionally, Sam Grimley, Luke Winter, and Will Lewis were also mentioned.

Blues’ twin towers James Stewart and Sam Grimley are expected to battle it out for the league Goalkicking title with SKOB sharpshooter Patrick Kerr and Old Brighton’s Jamie Hope.

The lengthy list of Young Players to Watch reinforces just how much exciting young talent currently exists in William Buck Premier Men’s, with the following youngsters mentioned by the coaches as ready to take the next step in 2025:

• Harry Bird (Old Xaverians)
• Nick Conlan (St Bernards)
• Jasper Davy (Collegians)
• George Delimitrou (St Kevins)
• Kai Dimattina (Old Brighton)
• Tom Ferguson (St Kevins)
• Seb Filipovic (De La Salle)
• Sam Flockart (Old Brighton)
• Elliott Mahoney (St Kevins)
• Will Mithen (Uni Blacks)
• Hugo Nosiara (Old Haileybury)
• Will Pewtress (Collegians)
• Mattias Rose (Old Haileybury)
• Mason Szonyi (Old Brighton)
• Jake Torney (Old Scotch)
• Jack Whitehead (Uni Blues)

And with a very special Big V jumper up for grabs in the Big V’s Centenary year, there will be plenty of interest in the Big V watchlist as VAFA selectors begin making and monitoring their shortlist this weekend.

The coaches have suggested the following players are worthy of selectors keeping an eye on for Big V honours in 2025:

• COLLEGIANS – Will Pewtress, Scott Bielby, Jasper Davy, Will Mayhood, Alex Lukic.
• DE LA SALLE – Adrian Indovino, Fraser Cameron, Tom Filipovic, Seb Filipovic.
• OLD BRIGHTON – Harry Hill, Hamish Dick, Jordy Segar, Quintin Montanaro, Alfie Jarnestrom.
• OLD HAILEYBURY – Brede Seccull, Durrus Seccull, Josh Gasparini, Will Paul, Hugo Nosiara.
• OLD SCOTCH – Jack Brown, Jack Lipscombe, Sam Grant, Doug Lawrence, Charlie Cormack.
• OLD XAVERIANS – Sam Fisher, Marcus Stavrou, Charlie Macisaac, Campbell Lane, Alex Spralja.
• ST BERNARD’S –  Ben Huggard, Charlie Vague, Luke DiLizio, Zac Overman, Michael Caven.
• ST KEVIN’S – Jack Mahony, Al Richards, Tom Jok, Anthony Seaton, Bill Coates.
• UNI BLACKS – James Clark, Ayui Makieng, Freddy Valpied, Campbell Moorfield, Ben Oliver.
• UNI BLUES – Marty Gleeson, James Stewart, Sam Grimley, Nick Conway, Jordie La Cava, Darcy Chirgwin.

So much talent spread across so many teams and all will be revealed over the next six months – bring on Round 1!