VAFA Premier season preview, the talk of the town heading into the opening round
An exciting VAFA season awaits with plenty of clubs looking to make the charge to the top. From star fresh faces to decorated amateur names, the 2023 campaign can’t come quick enough. See the preview.
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St Kevin’s will be the hunted team in 2023 after both its senior men and women teams won the ultimate in the VAFA Premier competitions last season.
First it was the women’s side who won the premiership over Kew before the men followed and defeated Old Brighton to claim the VAFA men’s top honour.
It was the first time both a men and women senior team claimed top tier premierships in VAFA history.
But with new clubs joining the Premier competitions this year and some big-name recruits, it is set to be an entertaining and close VAFA season.
In the Premier Women’s competition, Coburg will join the VAFA as they look to challenge themselves further following a dominate few years in the South Eastern Women’s Football League.
The Lions were undefeated last season winning all 14 home-and-away games but falling short by a point in the grand final.
With the loss of co-captains Sarah Cameron (Williamstown VFL) and Sophie Straford (overseas) for reigning premiers, St Kevin’s, 2023 may be a strong opportunity for the Lions to claim the title in their first season in the largest senior community football competition in the world.
But 2022 grand finalists, Kew, can’t be written off with last year’s best-and-fairest winner Dakota Villiva in their side.
Kew were the only team to defeat St Kevin’s in the home-and-away season last season.
And Kew defeated them again in the qualifying final but fell short by 23 points in the decider.
In the Premier Men’s competition, a number of big off-season recruits has given the 2023 campaign a shake.
Old Xaverians were the busiest during the summer with the signing of ex-AFL players Dan Hannebery and Billy Gowers.
University Blues look destined for a big comeback season following a mishap last year where they lost almost all their premiership points for being found in breach of the player points limit.
The Blues have picked up ex-Essendon defender Tom Cutler on top of midfielder Dane Crognale from Caulfield who was a former vice-captain of WAFL club Swan Athletic.
Caulfield will be guided by the expertise of former AFL coach and player Guy McKenna, who joins the club as their senior coach following a successful five-year stint at Beaumaris.
Newly promoted University Blacks will be a team to keep an eye on after the past four seasons where the 164-year-old club has lost two preliminary finals and won 26 of their past 29 matches but not won a flag.
Feeling prepared as they head into the top tier this year, the Blacks are sure to produce some special moments including a big clash against their local rivals Blues.
The blockbuster match-up will see the co-tenant sides meet in Round 2 and Round 18 where a current head-to-head win-streak of six games for the Blues could be broken.
In the Premier B Men’s competition, it is set to be an intriguing battle for the premiership
Beaumaris looked destined for success after finishing second on the ladder last year and picking up a number of recruits in the off-season under new coach Josh Bourke.
Fitzroy also look like they can give it a shake after finishing fourth last season and producing some strong performances including a win over Beaumaris in the final round of the home-and-away season.
The Reds also narrowly lost to eventual premiers Old Haileybury in the semi-final by a goal, proving that they can match it with the best.
In the Premier C Men’s competition, Hampton Rovers will no doubt be up there again this season after missing out on promotion by a point in the preliminary final against Old Geelong last year.
Mazenod, Old Ivanhoe, Parkdale Vultures and Ormond were in a tight wrestle for a finals spot last season and could all challenge for the title this year.
PREMIER A MEN’S
Teams: Caulfield Grammarians, Collegians, Old Brighton, Old Haileybury, Old Melburnians, Old Scotch, Old Xaverians, St Kevins, University Blacks, University Blues
Reigning premier: St Kevin’s
JN Woodrow Medal (Best and fairest): Fergus Borthwick (Old Melburnians) and Harry Hill (Old Brighton)
Leading goalkicker: Sam Grimley (University Blues) 56 goals
Bold predictions:
St Kevin’s, Old Xaverians enter two horse race for flag.
Uni Blues return to top four and make it to a preliminary final.
St Kevin’s young gun Luke Winter gets picked up in the AFL mid-season draft.
Blacks get revenge on Old Haileybury in grand final rematch.
St Kevin’s, Old Xaverians, Old Brighton, University Blues make the top four.
Season finishes with tight relegation battle.
PREMIER A WOMEN’S
Teams: Caulfield Grammarians, Coburg, Collegians, Fitzroy FC, Kew FC, Melbourne University, Old Scotch, Old Xaverians, St Kevins, West Brunswick AFC
Reigning premier: St Kevin’s
Women’s Best and Fairest: Dakota Villiva (Kew FC)
Leading goalkicker: Sarah Cameron (St Kevin’s) 42 goals.
Bold predictions:
Coburg or Kew to face St Kevin’s in grand final
Dakota Villiva to win back-to-back best and fairests.
PREMIER B MEN’S
Teams: AJAX, Beaumaris, De La Salle, Fitzroy, Monash Blues, Old Geelong, Old Trinity, St Bedes / Mentone Tigers, St Bernards, Williamstown CYMS
Reigning premier: Old Haileybury
GT Moore Medal (Best and fairest): Jack Nardino (Beaumaris)
Leading goalkicker: Durras Seccull (Old Haileybury) 60 goals
Bold predictions:
Old Geelong to play finals
Teams with new coaches to shine
PREMIER C MEN’S
Teams: Hampton Rovers AFC, Marcellin OC, Mazenod OC, Old Camberwell Grammarians, Old Carey, Old Ivanhoe Grammarians, Ormond, Parkdale Vultures, PEGS,
Reigning premier: Monash Blues
LS Zachariah Medal (Best and fairest): Macgregor Cameron (Monash Blues)
Leading goalkicker: Luke Scuderi (Old Ivanhoe) 64 goals.
Bold predictions:
Hampton Rovers win premiership
Parkdale Vultures to play finals
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