Which premiers are on track for back-to-back titles
It’s past the halfway mark of the local footy season, so we’ve taken a look to see how the reigning premiers are tracking. Find out who has their defence on the right path.
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For some reigning premiers this season has started well while for others the premiership hangover is real.
We take a look at each league across Victoria to see who is on track for more glory and who is struggling in their competitions.
Metro
Eastern
Premier Division: Despite losing their captain, Kyle Martin, for the season to an ACL injury, Noble Park is in the hunt for back-to-back titles. The team is third, with seven wins and three losses, and one game from the top. But the team is also one loss from seventh, given how close the competition is. Noble Park will need to keep winning, and not hit a poor patch, to remain in the hunt.
Division 1: East Ringwood won the premiership last year and through a handful of new recruits, including former VFL player Adam Swierzbiolek, the team is rising up the Premier Division. The team is currently top, one game clear of the competition, and has had impressive wins over Rowville and Doncaster East recently. Finals is a real possibility for the club.
Division 2: Like East Ringwood, South Belgrave have handled the rise up the ladder just fine. The team has won all 11 games this season to be top of the 1st division and on track for another promotion. The team is unbeaten in their past 17 matches.
Division 3: A couple of handy recruits has helped the Waverley Blues to second on the 2nd division ladder after winning the Division 3 title last year. The team has stumbled a little bit in recent weeks, losing to Templestowe and East Burwood, but are still on track for a great year.
Division 4: Silvan is on track for finals in Division 3 after claiming the Division 4 title last year. The team has won five and lost five to sit fourth, five games behind Donvale who sit top with one loss. The Cats have lost three of their past four matches and will be aiming to bounce back in the second half of the season.
Northern
Division 1: The most successful team in Division 1 in Northern is on track to make it back-to-back titles. Heidelberg is the team to beat, winning nine of 10 matches including two wins against last year’s grand finalists Bundoora. Despite having almost half of last year’s winning squad not returning, the team is still strong, and is one game clear at the top. The only loss came against Montmorency in round three and the side looms as the Tigers major threat.
Division 2: Banyule’s on track to survive its first season in Division 1 after winning last year’s Division 2 premiership. Led by ex-AFL player and new recruit Kurt Aylett the team has won three games this season to sit third bottom. The team, if it can go on a run, might even squeeze into the finals with the team a couple of games away from the top few.
Division 3: At the start of the year South Morang coach Gary Hall said his team ‘was the most talented we’ve had’ and so far the club has delivered on the promise. The team sits third in Division 2 with seven wins and three losses after winning Division 3’s premiership last year. The team is on track to play finals and potentially stun its rivals, like it has done for most of the season. Diamond Creek and Eltham, who have lost one game each this season, look to be the main threats and contenders for the title.
Essendon District
Premier Division: Strathmore is looking for their third straight title but face a challenge from one of the powerhouses of Essendon District league to remain the best. The team is fourth, with six wins and four losses, and has almost, already, had the same amount of losses as last year’s premiership win. The Mores should make the finals from here, but the team is also only one game away from sixth and missing out. The team everyone is chasing is the Mick McGuane led Keilor who has won all 10 games this season.
Division 1: Airport West has started their life in the Premier Division well with the team winning three games and keeping themselves out of the relegation battle. The Eagles in recent weeks have been able to become a mainstay in the competition, pushing reigning premiers Strathmore all the way and then smashing Avondale Heights a week later. The team should avoid relegation.
Division 2: Keilor Park has exceeded expectations with their youthful squad in Division 1 after winning last year’s Division 2 title. The team has won four games this season out of 10 and sit three games away from the bottom. The Devils, with a good run in the last part of the season, could even be in the hunt for a finals spot.
Outer East
Premier Division: Narre Warren is on track to remain the only team ever to win an Outer East Premier Division title but it must contend with a rising team who have been the ones to beat. The Magpies are second on the ladder and have lost one game all season, continuing their impressive form as being one of the top teams in the competition. Their only loss came against Wandin, who have been unbeaten this season, with nine wins. Led by former Carlton player Aaron Mullett the team has averaged more than 100 points a game and been the best defensive team in the competition. Expect both of these two teams to be there at the end of the season.
Division 1: Gembrook Cockatoo faces a battle to stay in the Premier Division after winning last year’s Division 1 title. The team started well, winning their first two matches, but have only won one since and have lost five of their past six matches to sit one game from bottom. On the positive the team is also one game from third so anything can happen between now and the end of the season.
Division 2: Powelltown, after deciding not to be promoted, is one of the teams to beat in Division 2 as it aims for back-to-back titles. The team is third, one game behind ladder leaders Warburton Millgrove who have won eight out of nine games. The premiership looks to be a battle between the top three teams, including Alexandra, with those sides three games clear of fourth, Yarra Glen. The top four make finals.
Southern
Division 1: After winning their first Southern league Division 1 titles last year, Cranbourne has every chance to make it back-to-back this year. The team is second with eight wins and two losses, one game behind the team the Eagles faced in last year’s grand final, Cheltenham. Cheltenham has lost one game all season, which was to the Eagles in round four. The two sides meet again in round 13, which should determine who is the favourites for the title but Cranbourne is on track for success.
Division 2: Chelsea Heights is in a battle for relegation as it looks to stay in Division 1 next season. Last year’s Division 2 premiers have won two games this season and are in the bottom four, one game from last. Led by former Melbourne Demon Luke Tapscott, who has played all 10 matches, the team has beaten St Kilda City and Bentleigh to be in the hunt to remain in the top division.
Division 3: It’s been a tough year for Black Rock in Division 2 after the team won the Division 3 premiership last year. The team has lost all 10 matches and conceded more than 130 points a game. The team is two games away from 9th placed Keysborough and it looks unlikely the team will be able to climb to stave off relegation.
Division 4: After securing their first ever premiership, in Division 4, beating the Frankston Dolphins, Lyndhurst could be playing finals this year after rising to Division 3. The team is fifth, percentage away from the top four, and finals. A strong second half of the season could put the team in their first ever finals campaign in Division 3.
Mornington Peninsula
Division 1: Frankston YCW will have to stop Dromana and a former Richmond Tigers player if it is to go back-to-back this year. The team is currently second, two games behind the Tigers, who have been the standouts this season. Led by Jake Aarts the team has won all 11 games, including a four-point win over Frankston YCW in round four. The Stonecats are in contention for the title, no doubt, but the team faces a stern test in defending their crown.
Division 2: It’s been a tough season for Langwarrin in the Division 1 with the team winning one game and drawing another during the season after winning last year’s premiership in Division 2. The team is in a relegation battle and will need to be better than Bonbeach, who are currently bottom, to avoid being back in Division 2 next year.
Riddell District
It’s going to be tough for Riddell to defend their title with the team in a fight for finals, let alone winning the premiership. The Bombers are currently fourth, one game from sixth and missing finals. Led by a youthful team the side has been unable to repeat last year’s performances, which saw the team lose two games during the regular season. Even if the team makes finals it will have to stop Diggers Rest who has won all nine games this season to be on top right now.
Western Region
Division 1: Altona will need to stop Werribee Districts to defend their premiership in the Western Region Division 1. The team should make finals, with the Vikings third on seven wins and three losses. But the team will likely meet a Tigers outfit who has not lost all season. Werribee Districts has won all 10 games as they look for their first premiership in the top division.
Division 2: Point Cook faces a battle to remain in Division 1 after winning last year’s premiership. The team is currently 7th with just one win and is percentage ahead of Hoppers Crossing who are bottom. Their round 12 match-up against Hoppers Crossing looms as the make or break game of their season even though the team has been impressive in other games without getting wins to show for it.
Division 3: Braybrook is on track to be relegated back to Division 3 after winning the premiership last year in that division. The team has not won a game all season in Division 2, losing all nine games. The team is only one game behind North Footscray and would likely need to beat them in round 15 and get another win somewhere else to survive.
VAFA
Premier
The addition of former Western Bulldogs player Mitch Wallis and their start to the year has St Kevins right in the hunt for back-to-back titles. SKOB is currently fourth, two games clear of finals and one game behind ladder leaders Collegians. The team might have lost three in a row during the middle part of this season but the side has won its last two to bounce back. With the VAFA Premier Division so close, St Kevins has every chance of being at the top when it counts.
Premier B
Old Haileybury is in a fight to stave off relegation to Premier B after winning the premiership last year. The Bloods have won two games in their first season back but are currently in the bottom two and on track to be sent back down. The team will need to win and move past University Blacks or Old Melburnians to survive and play in the top VAFA league next year.
Premier C
It’s been a hard season for Monash Blue in Premier B after winning Premier C last year. The team has not won a game all season and has conceded more than 110 points a game. The closest the team got to a win was a five-point loss to Old Trinity in round three. The team, who are four games behind Old Trinity in the race to be outside of the bottom two, are likely to be relegated at the end of the season.
Division 1
PEGS is on track for finals after a fantastic start to their season in Premier C after winning the Division 1 flag last year. At one stage the team was the best in the competition, winning six of their first seven matches and drawing the other. But in the past two weeks the team has faltered, losing their past two matches, to sit third on the ladder. It’s still been an impressive season for the team.
Division 2
Ivanhoe is another team on track for relegation after winning promotion to Division 1 from winning the Division 2 title. The team has won one game all season and sits two games outside of the relegation spots. Their only win for the season came against the Preston Bullants who have also only won once this year.
Division 3
South Melbourne could be about to head back to the highest division the club has competed in after a successful start to their Division 2 VAFA campaign. The team is currently second on the ladder in Division 2 after winning the Division 3 title last year. In 2007, the team won the Division 2 title to join Division 1 before falling down the ladder in the past decade. The team has won seven out of nine matches this season and is one game behind ladder leaders Parkside, who the side players on Saturday, July 1.
Division 4
La Trobe University is in contention to remain in Division 3 and fight off relegation but the team has some work in the second half of the year to do it. The University won last year’s Division 4 title and has won two games this season in Division 3, to sit second last, one game behind Swinburne University and one game behind Richmond Central. The team will need a few wins in the final few matches to stay in Division 3.
Country – Major
Ballarat
Melton is on track for back-to-back titles after ending a 17-year drought last year by beating Sebastopol in the grand final. The team is currently on top and has lost just once this year, to Darley, in round eight. Expect Melton to be there or thereabouts in the finals.
Bendigo
Gisborne’s defence of last year’s Bendigo league title is on shaky ground with the team outside the finals heading into the second half of the season. After beating Strathfieldsaye last year, the team has won just three games out of 10 this season. Those wins have come from the bottom three teams in the competition with the Bulldogs 0-7 against those in the top six. It’s something the team will have to turn around in order to make the finals and defend their title. Losing a host of players in the off-season, and replacing them with youth, the Bulldogs have been unable to recreate their 2022 form.
Goulburn Valley
Echuca is on track for back-to-back titles but will face stern tests from other teams to win this year. The Murray Bombers have only lost one game this season, to Seymour in their last game, but have been the benchmark in the competition, despite sitting third right now. Echuca’s main issue to going back-to-back won’t be the opposition, it will be getting its best players on the park. If the Bombers get their best 22 on the field, the team will be hard to beat.
Hampden
Koroit is not looking to just defend one premiership but the past seven in the Hampden league. The Saints have been the benchmark for the past decade but at times this season haven’t been able to replicate the form. At times, the club was in danger of missing the finals. But three straight wins, including two close wins over Cobden and Terang Mortlake, have the team in fourth and on track to have another crack at a premiership.
Gippsland
Leongatha is the team to beat in the Gippsland league but the Parrots face multiple threats to back-to-back titles. The Parrots have only lost one game all season, to Moe, who ended their unbeaten run in the competition, which was more than 30 matches. But while the team has lost only once, the team is one game from falling to fourth with Wonthaggi, Moe and Traralgon all on nine wins and two losses. All three teams will provide a test in the second half of the season but the Parrots are on track to be the premiers again. The Parrots, if they are to win, will need to rely on Jack Ginnane and Jenson Garnham, who have kicked more than 30 goals each this season.
Ovens and Murray
No premier was awarded after Wangaratta were stripped of the title for salary cap breaches. The team, if it counted, would be on track to defend their premiership, despite not getting any points for the first two rounds as a punishment to the breach. The team has won six games in a row to storm to third on the ladder and every team in the competition would be worried the Magpies are starting to find their form. Led by midfielder Daniel Sharrock, who has been among the best in recent weeks, and goalkicker Callum Moore the team will be a major threat in the finals.
Sunraysia
Irymple faces a challenge to win a third premiership in a row in the Sunraysia league. The team is on track to make finals, sitting in third, but just two games separate third to sixth, the first spot missing finals. The Swallows will need a strong second half of the season to stay in the hunt. If the team makes the finals it will face strong tests in ladder leaders Robinvale Euston, the Sam Kerridge led Mildura and Wentworth who feature former West Coast/GWS player Jarrod Brander.
Geelong
St Mary’s is on track for three titles in a row but it faces a competition which is wide open with five teams separated by one game. The Saints are one of four teams on eight wins and two losses for the season with Leopold, in fifth, one game behind with seven wins and three losses. St Mary’s has won eight of their past nine matches, the only loss coming against ladder leaders Newtown and Chilwell. The team, who has added former AFL player Brayden Ham in the off-season, is on the right path for another title.
Wimmera
Minyip Murtoa must overcome a former AFL player and his junior club to win three premierships in a row. The Burras are currently fifth in the competition, one game behind Stawell in sixth, the first of the non-finals spots. It’s been a tough start to the season for the defending premiers, losing four in a row after winning their first two. Since then the team has won three in a row to bounce back. The next five weeks will show where the team is heading into the finals with challenges against the top four sides to come. Even if the team makes the finals, it will have to face the Ararat Rats who are unbeaten with eight wins. Led by Tom Williamson, who has returned from the AFL, the team is the favourites to win their first premiership since 2001.
Country – Minor
Central Highlands
Gordon might have taken 34 years to win their second CHFL title but the team is on track to win another title as early as this season. The team is unbeaten in eight matches this season and is currently second on percentage. The team has also beaten premierships contenders in Hepburn, Newlyn and Buninyong. Injuries permitting, the team will be right in the hunt for the premiership.
Heathcote
Lockington Bamawm United might miss finals after winning the premiership last year. The Cats are currently in fifth but are one game behind Leitchville Gunbower, in sixth, and missing finals. Last year’s premiers have won four and lost four games this season and have been unable, so far, to replicate last year’s dominance, which saw the team lose two games all season. An exodus of players hasn’t helped.
Loddon Valley
Marong are not only the best team in the Loddon Valley but the team currently has the best streak in Victorian footy. The Lions have won 24 games in a row, including 10 this year. and have not looked like being beaten this year so far. Lions forward Brandyn Grenfell, with 67 goals, leads country football with the most goals this year. The team is well on track for back-to-back titles.
Maryborough Castlemaine
There must be something about Lions in country footy. Harcourt are on track for back-to-back titles after dominating the Maryborough Castlemaine competition this season. Last year’s premiers are unbeaten in the competition in 18 matches, including 10 this season. The team has also beaten fellow contenders in Carisbrook, Trentham and Natte Bealiba. Expect the team to be thereabouts at the pointy end.
Central Murray
The most successful team in the Central Murray league is on track to make it 10 premierships in the competition. Kerang is unbeaten in the competition, winning all nine games this season, to add to the two the team won in the finals last year. Keeping most of their squad from last year, the team is on track to be among the team to beat in the finals.
Golden Rivers
Last year’s premiers, Nullawil, have left the competition and are now in the North Central league. There will be a new premier this season.
North Central
Birchip-Watchem will have a tough test keeping a hold of their North Central league premiership as one team runs away with the minor premiership. The reigning premiers are in a good position to go back-to-back, sitting second, but must stop Sea Lake Nandaly who are unbeaten this year. Led by former Adelaide Crows and Geelong player Josh Jenkins, who has played a couple of matches, the team is unbeaten in nine games and is three games clear at the top. Stopping them will help the Bulls to win two premierships in a row.
Geelong District
Bannockburn can’t afford any slip ups otherwise their premiership defence might end before the finals start in the Geelong District league. The team is currently fourth with seven wins and three losses at it aims for three straight titles in the competition. While the team is two games from the top, with Thomson leading with nine wins out of 10 games, the Tigers are one game away from sixth and missing finals. A strong second half of the season is needed for the Tigers march to go on.
East Gippsland
Led by former Maffra premiership winner, Lachlan Channing, who has been one of the best for the team this season, Stratford is on track for two premierships in a row. But the team will have to beat the side who tested them throughout last year, Wy Yung. Wy Yung, last year, was the dominant side, winning the minor premiership and all three matches during the regular season against the Swans. Stratford, when it counted, won both finals contests, including the grand final, to win the premiership. This season Wy Yung have done the same, winning nine out of 10 matches, and beating Stratford in their only clash in round seven. Stratford is currently third and on track to make finals but will have to repeat history and likely beat the Tigers again to prevail.
Ellinbank
As last year showed, you can win the premiership from anywhere in the Ellinbank league and Neerim Neerim South may have to do it again this year. The Cats, who finished third, won by one point over Buln Buln, who finished fifth, in the grand final to claim their eighth title in the league. This season the team is currently fourth, one and a half games from second, but importantly, three games clear of missing the finals. The Cats should make the finals and be competitive again but will need to beat Buln Buln, again, who are unbeaten this season and on top with 11 straight wins. The Lyrebirds are two games clear of the competition.
Mid Gippsland
This year could be a repeat of last year’s decider with reigning premiers Yinnar and grand finalists Newborough the best teams in the competition. Last year Yinnar came from fifth to win the premiership and have started this year better, sitting second with seven wins and two losses. But the team is only one game from sixth, and missing finals, with the competition close. Everyone is chasing Newborough with the Bulldogs on top and on a nine game winning streak.
North Gippsland
Yallourn Yallourn North may not get the chance to defend their premiership with the Jets in a battle to make the finals. After starting the season with one win out of their first four matches, the team has won their past three to be fourth on the ladder. But YYN is only one game outside the top five and can’t afford any slip ups. The next two weeks, with matches against Woodside and Yarram, will be crucial to see whether the team makes it. If the Jets do, they will need to get past last year’s grand finalists Traralgon Tyers United who have won all 10 games this season.
Omeo and District
The chances of Lindenow South, who won last year’s premiership, of winning this year is slim but there is still hope for the reigning premiers. The Swampies have been struggling this season after their success, losing nine out of their first 10 games. But the team did beat ladder leaders Swan Reach last week by 18 points to keep their season alive. In the six team competition the top four make finals with Lindenow South two games and percentage behind with four rounds left. The Swampies face fifth and fourth, Bruthen and Buchan, in the final few rounds and will need to beat both and win one or both of their other matches to make it. It looks to be a challenge too far but there is still life in their season.
Kyabram
Lancaster will face stern competition to go back-to-back with the Kyabram league one of the closest country footy leagues in the state. One game separates the top three with Lancaster sitting in fourth, two games from the top. The Wombats should make finals with the top six making it but the team will have it’s work cut out beating Shepparton East, Murchison-Toolamba and Nagambie.
Murray
Mulwala is the team to beat in the Murray league, losing just one game this season. The Lions last year won their first premiership in 32 years with a five-point win over Cobram. This year the team is the premiership favourites, only losing to Numurkah in round nine by one point. Expect the Lions to be right around the mark.
Picola
It will be hard to stop last year’s reigning premiers from winning again. Waaia, who won their first premiership in 15 years, have been the dominant team in the Picola league, winning all 10 games this season. The team has conceded on average less than 35 points while scoring more than 164 points a game in return. The Bombers also have one of the leading goalscorers in country footy with Charlie Burrow at 56 goals this season. Expect the Bombers to be among the teams to fight for the premiership.
Bellarine
It looks more than likely for the third grand final in a row, Barwon Heads and Torquay will battle on the last day of the season. Barwon Heads is looking for its third premiership in a row but will have to face a Tigers outfit who has had their best year of the past three years this season. Torquay is currently unbeaten with 12 wins, including a 52-point win over Barwon Heads in round five. The Seagulls will have to repeat history, and get past Torquay, to prevail again.
Colac
With seven rounds to go, last year’s premiers South Colac face a battle to make the finals, sitting sixth and two games out of the top five. The Kangaroos last year won the premiership from third, beating Irrewarra-Beeac in the final. The next three weeks, which are all winnable matches, will determine if the Kangaroos can defend their title in the finals.
Warrnambool
Nirranda is on track for back-to-back titles but will have to beat a team who is unbeaten this season in the Warrnambool league. The Blues are current second on the ladder behind Merrivale who have won all 12 matches this season, including a win over the Blues in round for by 50 points. The two teams face each other on July 8 in what is shaping as a potential grand final preview.
Ovens and King
There is no chance the Benalla All Blacks will defend their premiership this season. The reigning premiers have gone from top to bottom, winning just one game this season, after an exodus of players. The team is five games behind finals with eight games to go. Not even winning all eight matches would guarantee them a spot in the finals. There will be a new premier in the competition.
Tallangatta
After winning their first premiership in the competition last season, Chiltern has a challenge or two defending their crown in the Tallangatta league this season. The first is last year’s grand finalists in Kiewa Sandy Creek who are unbeaten and have won all 11 games. This includes a 27-point win in round five over Chiltern. The second is Yackandandah and Beechworth who have also improved to be legitimate title threats. The Swans, currently fourth, are in contention for the premiership but will have to keep winning to keep in the hunt for a top three spot and to keep those below them at bay.
Upper Murray
Tumbarumba could certainly go back-to-back in the Upper Murray league but it will have to do it from third on the ladder. The Kangaroos, in the four team competition, will be guaranteed finals but will need to beat the unbeaten Cudgewa at some stage to defend their title. The Blues have won all eight games this season, including three wins over Tumbarumba.
Mininera
The Ararat Eagles won last year’s premiership for the first time in the competition and is in contention for back-to-back titles. The team is currently fourth, two games from the top, but is also one game from those outside of the finals race. The team will need a strong second half of the season to remain in the hunt for two premierships in a row. The biggest challenge to their title looks to be Tatyoon and Wickliffe/Lake Bolac, who have lost one game each this season.
South West
Cavendish won their first premiership in 19 years and is one of two teams right in the hunt for this year’s title and the chance to go back-to-back. The team is currently top with a massive percentage of 318 per cent and have lost just once this season. The biggest challenger looks to be Coleraine who have also lost just once this season, which was to Cavendish. The Bloods only loss was to Coleraine this season. Expect both teams to be there right at the end of the season.
Millewa
After a slow start, the reigning premiers of the past two seasons, Bambill, are on track to win again. The team lost to Gol Gol and Cardross early to sit 2-2 but have won their past five including a 46-point win over Cardross last Saturday. The team will start favourites in the finals and on track for their third straight premiership.
Horsham
Just making the finals will be the immediate focus for last year’s premiers Rupanyup. The Panthers won last year’s premiership with a three point win over Kalkee. The team started well this year, winning four and drawing one of their first six games. Since then the team has lost three of its past four to sit 5th and only half a game outside of the finals race. The team will need to perform well to stay in the hunt. Everyone in the competition is chasing Harrow Balmoral who have won all 10 games and is on top, two games clear of the field. Led by forwards Simon Close and James Staude, who have kicked 85 goals between them, the team has been unstoppable this season.
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