Seniors

The Blacks found themselves at the top of the VAFA in 2014, winning the Premier Division premiership. Following a close fought but unsuccessful 2017, the Blacks competed in Premier B in 2018 and have found themselves consistently pushing for ultimate success and a highly coveted return to A-Grade. In 2018 and 2019, the Blacks lost heartbreaking preliminary finals to Old Carey and Old Scotch respectively, with both games being decided in the final minute of the 4th quarter. 

Following this, a cancelled 2020 season and a stop/start 2021 could be enough reason for many within the playing and coaching group to move on, but the fire within to return to A-Grade continued to burn bright. Over the 2021 and 2022 seasons, the Club won 26 of its 29 Senior matches, a remarkable run of form that speaks volumes to the dedication, talent and consistency of our group. In 2022, the Seniors only lost 2 games for the entire season; both games to eventual Premiers, Old Haileybury. Once again highlighting though the depth of talent across our playing group and Football department though, our Reserves also won through to their Grand Final in 2022, after finishing on top of their ladder in the Covid-shortened 2021 season.

2023 heralds another new chapter in the Black and Blue at University Main Oval, with plenty to be excited about for the season ahead. Naturally as is always the case, change amongst the playing group is inevitable, but the quality characters and people we have managed to bring into the Club this off season has left us eager to see the potential on the park come Round 1 vs Old Brighton.

Appointed in last October as soon as our end-of-year review was completed, Dale Bower will return for his 4th season in charge of the Blacks. Bower has been a pillar of consistency over a short period of time where none of could have predicted the challenges we faced in 2020 and 2021. Returning with Bower are our dedicated Football Department from 2022, who will look to continue to build on the relationships they have begun to foster in previous years. In the Reserves, Rob Paterson will once more take the helm for his 4th season, coming back to the Blacks after experiencing the 'golden years' of success in the mid 2000s.