By Nick Creely
A battle of the premiers is set to kick off the 2020 AFL Outer East season, with Doveton and Narre Warren to face off in a Good Friday blockbuster at AJ Robinson Oval.
The Doves (Division 1 premiers) and Magpies (Premier Division premiers) are coming off equally famous grand final victories, with Daniel Charles’ side – which has recruited heavily in anticipation for promotion to the top flight – set to really take it up to a Narre group with a fresh face as coach in Shane Dwyer as they unfurl its premiership flag.
It’ll be the first time the two rivals have played off since Round 10, 2018, in the now-defunct South East Football Netball League, and both clubs have improved drastically since that day.Cranbourne and Beaconsfield will also do battle on Good Friday, with the new-look sides set for a fascinating contest.
The Magpies will unfurl its own flag when it takes on Berwick in the grand final rematch on 18 April for the opening round.
Round 3 will see the first ‘Battle of the Creek’ for 2020, with Berwick hosting Beaconsfield, with the returning leg set to occur in Round 12.
Pakenham – the other side promoted to Premier – will play eight of their first nine games at home in 2020 due to a pavilion upgrade at Toomuc Reserve. Wandin also have a skewed fixture for that reason, with their last home game in Round 15.
Other significant dates for the Premier Division will be The Queens Birthday weekend, which will see a full competition bye, Round 13 on 18 July for the Towards Zero Round, while Round 14, played on 25 July and 1 August will be a split round.
The grand final – once more – will be played on AFL Grand Final eve on Friday 25 September, with the finals campaign kick starting on 5 September.
From a netball perspective, Cranbourne won’t get another crack at reigning champs Olinda Ferny Creek until Round 6.
In Division 1, senior newcomers Berwick Springs kick off its journey with an away clash against Belgrave on 18 April, while Officer hosts Gembrook Cockatoo in what shapes as an intriguing new rivalry for the competition.
Monbulk will also take on Healesville to start the season in a historic occasion for the Hawks in its 1000th game, while Seville will unfurl its Division 2 flag against Emerald.
Mount Evelyn will unfurl it’s A Grade netball flag when they take on Seville on Anzac Day.
The Division 1 grand final will take place on 20 September, which is on a Sunday.
To view the full fixture, head to afloutereast.com
