The VAFA press conference is over and the 2018 schedule is now final.

Again, for the Red 'n' Blacks, it is a balanced fixture, with two games apiece against all other teams and a nice balance between Saturdays and Sundays, night and day. (That is to say, all games are at 2:00pm on Saturdays.

The home and away season commences on 7 April, when Old Trinity visits Toorak Park, and ends at the same venue when Old Brighton meet the Red 'n' Blacks on 25 August.

There are nine rounds before the QB holiday break and then a bye in July and August as well. The finals will be held on the weekends 1/2, 8/9, 15/16 September.

The schedule looks like this:

7-Apr v Old Trinity: The Ts come in to open the season under new coach Bernie Dinneen.

14-Apr @ De La Salle: A return to the Dairy Bell, where Xavs went down in 2017.

21-Apr v St Kevins OB: Anzac Round against the reigning premiers.

28-Apr @ Old Brighton: Back to the Beach and to a ground that Xavs don't find the easiest.

5-May  v St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers: The Red 'n Blacks have never lost to the Brindisians here.

12-May @ Old Melburnians: A trip to Elsternwick, perhaps the remodelled Elsternwick.

19-May v Collegians: The Lions, the surprise packet of this year's finals, are back.

26-May @ Old Scotch: At Camberwell. Remember? Melway 59 K2. Yes, the Cards are back!

2-Jun v University Blues: A home stoush with Blues before the QB break.

9 Jun BYE (Queen's Birthday)

16-Jun @ St Kevins OB: Back from the bye, it's a trip to TH King.

23-Jun @ St Bede’s/Mentone Tigers: The only back-to-back road trip, hauling to Brindisi Street.

30-Jun  v Old Scotch: The Red Men tour Xavier College again, after an absence of some years.

7-Jul: BYE (Representative)

14-Jul @ Collegians: Bastille Day at the Trott.

21-Jul v Old Melburnians: OMs return to a ground they like.

28-Jul @ University Blues: Red jumpers and time for a win under the spires.

4-Aug: BYE (Finals calendar re-alignment)

11-Aug v De La Salle: The Bellers arrive at TP unusually late in the year.

18-Aug @ Old Trinity: Out to the Daley Oval after not having seen the Ts for 16 rounds.

25-Aug v Old Brighton: Home against the Tonners to close out the home and away.

The full VAFA Premier fixture can be found here.