The eagerly awaited 2012 Victorian Premier League (VPL) fixtures have been released yesterday.
The opening round kicks off on Saturday 24 March 2012 and has yielded some intriguing encounters.
It’s the always popular battle of the Greens when defending champions Green Gully Cavaliers travel to Kingston Heath to take on Bentleigh Greens.
Green Gully general manager Raymond Mamo said that the club was definitely capable of making it three VPL titles in a row.
“From speaking to the players they are all very excited for the 2012 season. We’ve maintained much of our squad from last year and we’re raring to go,” he said.
“We’re thankful that the club has a coach like Ian Dobson, who we regard as the best coach in the VPL.”
Reigning Mirabella Cup Champions Northcote City will host 2010 Grand Finalists Richmond, who will be eager to make their mark this season after a relatively disappointing 2011, failing to make the finals.
South Melbourne will be back in Lakeside Stadium when they play 2011 State League Champions Whittlesea Zebras.
2010 State League 1 Runners-Up Southern Stars will take on Dandenong Thunder in the first local derby of the season.
Southern Stars team manager Tony Yildar said that everyone at the club was very excited to be in the Victorian Premier League.
“It’s the first time in the club’s history that we’ve been in the VPL and we’re happy to be amongst the big boys in town,” he said.
“We really believe in our players and we hope to be competitive.
“We’re looking forward to playing Dandenong Thunder in Round One as in the last few years this has been a great local derby.”
Knights Stadium will be a buzz when Mirabella Cup Finalists Melbourne Knights take on the dangerous Hume City.
2011 Grand Finalists Oakleigh Cannons have a tough opening match away to Heidelberg United.
After the 2011 Grand Final went to extra time, the Round Four replay between Green Gully and Oakleigh Cannons is sure to be a blockbuster encounter, as will the Mirabella Cup replay between Melbourne Knights and Northcote City, also in Round Four.
Round 22 is also set to be a fitting finale with 2011 VPL Champions Green Gully taking on 2011 Mirabella Cup Champions Green Gully.
The date for the VPL Grand Final has also been set for Saturday 13 October.