Football Federation Victoria has released the 2012 Victorian Premier League fixture, amid a great deal of anticipation and excitement instilled in next season’s competition. Akin to the new A-League campaign, next year the VPL will start at a later date – moving from early February to late March, parallel with the State, Provisional Metropolitan Leagues.

The opening round will kick-off on Saturday March 24, with an array of stimulating encounters throughout the first weekend of the new term.

Defending champions Green Gully Cavaliers – attempting to make it three consecutive VPL titles in 2012 – take on Bentleigh Greens at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.

Cavaliers general manager Raymond Mamo is optimistic ahead of the new campaign and believes his club can create history by making it three state league crowns in a row.

“From speaking to the players they are all very excited for the 2012 season,” he told the FFV website.

”We’ve maintained much of our squad from last year and we’re raring to go. We’re thankful that the club has a coach like Ian Dobson, who we regard as the best coach in the VPL.”

South Melbourne will play its inaugural VPL outing at Lakeside Stadium when the former National Soccer League champions entertain newly promoted Whittlesea Zebras.

Southern Stars, who finished runners-up in State League 1 in 2010, will lock horns with local rival Dandenong Thunder.

Stars’ team manager Tony Yildar said that the club is eager to be playing in Victoria’s top-flight division – for the first time in the club’s decorated history.

“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.”

Mirabella Cup holders Northcote City welcome Richmond, who had a vastly disappointing season last year, failing to make the finals series after finishing as runners-up in 2010.

Heidelberg United will host last year’s grand finalist’s Oakleigh Cannons – whose coach Arthur Papas moved on to be the Melbourne Heart’s maiden Youth team assistant coach, before taking up an assistance role at the Newcastle Jets senior team.

To complete round one, the Melbourne Knights open their VPL campaign with a difficult encounter against Hume City at Knights Stadium.

The VPL Grand Final is scheduled to take place on Saturday October 13.

 Round One Fixtures

Fri 23 Mar 8:15PM  Bentleigh Greens v Green Gully Cavaliers @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Sat 24 Mar 3:00PM  Dandenong Thunder v Southern Stars @ George Andrews Reserve
Sat 24 Mar 3:00PM  South Melbourne v Whittlesea Zebras @ Lakeside Stadium
Sat 24 Mar 6:00PM  Heidelberg United v Oakleigh Cannons  @ Olympic Park
Sun 25 Mar 3:00PM  Northcote City v Richmond @ John Cain Memorial Park
Sun 25 Mar 6:00PM Melbourne Knights v Hume City @ Knights Stadium

Final Round Fixtures

Sun 16 Sep 3:00  Dandenong Thunder v Richmond @ George Andrews Reserve
Sun 16 Sep 3:00  Northcote City v Green Gully Cavaliers @ John Cain Memorial Park
Sun 16 Sep 3:00  Hume City v Whittlesea Zebras @ John Ilhan Memorial Reserve
Sun 16 Sep 3:00  Bentleigh Greens v Oakleigh Cannons @ Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
Sun 16 Sep 3:00  Melbourne Knights v Southern Stars @ Knights Stadium
Sun 16 Sep 3:00  Heidelberg United v South Melbourne @ Olympic Park