A Critch in time...

Sam Critchley was back in the SKOB Seniors lineup this weekend and his 5 goals were vital in their thrilling win over Uni Blacks at TH King on Saturday. The two teams who put on an incredible finish in their earlier match this season reprised the show, but fortunately for SKOB it was a flip of the script as they were the ones pocketing the points at the end of

another thrilling encounter. Earlier the Ressies made short work of their Uni Blacks opponents - running out 93 points to the good. In the day’s opener, the Academy got the ball rolling for SKOB with a solid win over Uni of the Blues variety to make it another perfect day at the King. In Premier Women’s, our Gold team wound back the clock with a couple of favourite Saints returning to the team, causing the upset of the season - knocking off the previously unbeaten Caulfield Grammarians in a thriller. The Saints Blues didn’t quite have the ability to keep up with Caulfield, but our Premier 19s flexed some serious muscle in dismantling Caulfield in the day’s opener at Glenhuntly Reserve. Away from these two venues there was a win for the SKOB Dogs over the Snow Dogs at Old Rigret - the two teams will play again in the First Semi Final next week - but it was not as good a day for the Stingers, 19 2s and Saints Green who all found stronger opponents on the day. Overall, 6 out of 10 for SKOB, but the vital two wins to our Premier Men’s and Women’s teams were a huge highlight for the Club on another glorious weekend weather-wise. 

Critta's handful proves hard to handle

A pretty decent sized crowd made their way down to the King for the highly anticipated clash between two teams hoping to shore up the last couple of spots in the four. At the selection table SKOB were strengthened by the return of Jack Mahony, and a pair of Sams - Critchley and Cameron, although another Sam - Barnett - was an out. Uni Blacks were coming in on the back of some good form - winning 7 of their past 9 including that extraordinary win over SKOB in Round 8 at the Uni. They started well in this game too, flying out of the blocks kicking the first couple of goals before the fans had been able to settle into their seats. Sam Critchley has been an incredible “find” up forward for Coach Lynch this season. Having spent almost an entire career in defence, he’s switched to the other end and been more than handy - hitting the scoreboard in all but two games and providing a solid foil for fellow tall Patty Kerr. He got SKOB rolling after a strong mark and when Jack Darmody scored from the line shortly afterward, SKOB had restored parity. A long bomb from Kerr put the home team in front and although Blacks replied, third tall Ball gave his team the lead at first change. The entertaining and even shoot out continued in the second quarter as the teams traded a couple each and SKOB hit the sheds having extended their one goal lead by a smidge to have a 7 point advantage at afternoon tea. 

If the first half had been a taster, the third quarter delivered a full plate of goodness with teams going goal for goal - although the Blacks seemed to answer every SKOB snag with a pair of replies, such that they hit the front after 20 minutes of frenzied footy. The home team lifted again and up stepped Critchley who booted two in time on to go with a second for Adduci and suddenly the threat from the students had seemed to have been quelled. The tricolours headed for the final change with what was now the biggest lead of the afternoon - 14 points. Whilst hardly a commanding lead, it looked enough to be able to hold out their spirited opponents.

A goal apiece to start the fourth term and it seemed that SKOB had all the answers, but one thing they have found is that Uni Blacks are harder to shake than a snake’s hand. A couple of behinds to the Blacks and a halt to the home team’s scoring got the fans a bit jittery. Then, like a viper, the Blacks struck not once, but twice, and as the clock ticked into time one they had incredibly grabbed the lead - again. Would this be another incredible come from behind win to the boys from Parkville? “Not today” said Ben Mansfield as he worried his Blacks opponent into dropping a mark, caused the turnover and after some more forward pressure, Will Pfeiffer jagged through a dribbler to restore the lead. Moments later another piece of forward pressure and clever handball saw the ball land in Critchley’s hands who booted his fifth and the sealer for SKOB. Coates, Winter and Mahony ensured that SKOB had first use in those last few minutes and were great all day. Adduci and Jack Darmody were handy up forward and of course, veteran Critch with his 5 twins was most valuable. A vital four points bagged for SKOB as they establish a firmer grip on a spot in the final four. Next week, another challenge awaits at Haileybury, with the Bloods looking to book their own September ticket.

Please note - the game against Old Haileybury will now be played at Haileybury College in Keysborough - not Princes Park Caulfield.

Ressies run riot for Lachie's one fiddy

A far more consistent four quarter performance from Coach Clough's men on Saturday in the curtain raiser at the King. Clicking into gear early and never letting their opponents establish any control in the contest, they were solid throughout, helping to celebrate the 150 game milestone for popular clubman Lachie Merrett. Best for the Ressies were Elliot Mahoney, Xavier Duke, Patty Croagh, Zane Greenham, Tom Davidson and of course the Eagle himself, Lachie Merrett

Golds get the band back together and get one over Grams

At Glenhuntly, nails were chewed as the minutes ticked away in the last minutes of the top-of-the-Table clash. After a loss to Old Scotch in the previous round, SKOB had all but no chance of claiming a top two spot unless they were able to knock off Caulfield at Caulfield - a team who hadn't lost a game all year. In their earlier defeat at the hands of Caulfield this season, SKOB were without Bree Doyle, Kate Stanton and Jessica Joyce - throw into that mix some superstars from yesteryear Marg Gleeson, Sarah Cameron and Ellie McLinden - and suddenly Coach Tommy had got the band back together in a big way. The team they took to Caulfield definitely had another look about it, and there was a steely determination in the rooms before the game that the Gold could indeed cause an upset. Our happy correspondent reported:

SKOB had so many fine contributors incl the Backline "Wall" of  Ellie McLinden, Em Condon, Elysia Burvill and Bella Stutt.

Great to see two veterans of yesteryear........Margie G' showing glimpses of Premiership Days and of course Sarah Cameron produced two pieces of magic  - one a spin, baulk and fake leaving three opponents bedazzled on the outer wing and the second - a magic interception - resulting in a Hannah Smith - 50-metre run and bounce goal in the third quarter. Kate  Stanton was electric all day despite the "heavy tag". Izzy Upfal (50 games) and Hannah Smith (100) were fantastic in their milestone games.

And the desire and determination was just another example of how great our Saints have been these last 10 years - typified by Bree Doyle's last minute smother and match saving marks by Jess Joyce and Captain Em Condon.

 There's still a few things that need to fall their way for the Saints to secure the double chance, but even if they don't, this win will give them great confidence as they head into the final stages of their campaign.

Saints Blue

Caulfield were too strong for the Saints Blue, who were competitive early, but ran out of troops in the second half.

Green machine dream of '26

The Green machine signed off on Season 2025 with a spirited effort against Fitzroy at Brunswick St oval. The Roys were dominant most of the day, but the dreamers fought it out well in the final quarter, outscoring their hosts and giving them something to look forward to in 2026. Jaime Tucker, Kate Shannon, Charley Lupson, Cara Davies, Gen Holden and Pip Stephenson were the Greenest of the Greens

19 Prem's steamroll Grams

The big day at Glenhuntly started out on a brilliant note when the 19 Premier team torched the Grammarians from Caulfield to the tune of 20 goals plus. Coach Greeny's boys were ruthless in the dry conditions and took full toll on Caulfield. Now sitting top of the tree, the lads will be keen to stay there and give themselves the best shot at it when the finals start in a fortnight. For the Premier team Dom Portelli, Samuel Pitot, Dante Tomarchio, Adam Scira, Ben Palmer and Joe Smith were handy, but it was truly a team performance.

Junior Two's can't quite topple Kews

The under 19 2's played a twilight fixture at Kew against the top team in the comp and were very competitive for three quarters but found their hosts too strong in the run home. With one round remaining, Coach Joey's boys are guaranteed to finish in fourth spot and will face either Uni Blacks or Old Ivanhoe in the first final - and they have plenty they can take away from this week's game against the top team. Best for Joey were Fred Walshe, Alfie Kidman, Luke Arthur, Luke Lyons, Tom McCarthy and Frank Mancini

School's out for Academy

A bittersweet win for the Academy on Saturday as their season closed out without a finals appearance. The boys knew their fate before the opening bounce as mathematically, they couldn’t advance to the post season due to match ratio (that’s a new one). Anyhoo, the Academy finished in style with a thumping 104-35 win over Uni Blues. Resplendent in their heritage strip (which they wore to premiership glory in 2024) the Academy were on from the start, leading all the way against the Blues who also finished 2025 with the final game of the regular season. Mothballs for the Academy, but an enjoyable season had by all and they’ll saddle up again in 2026 ready and raring to go. The top Academics were Andrew Butler, Lucas Mascia, Max Mulcahy, Joey Martin, Maxime Demathieu and Dan McCarthy

Stingers get burnt but finals still beckon

The Stingers lost a tight one at Daley but have done enough to finish in the top 4 and will play in the First Semi against Old Xavs next weekend. Noah Montague, Jimmy Hill, Henry James, Zach Close, Oli Phillips and Anthony Parente were the best of the Stingers.

SKOB beat Snow in battle of the Dogs

A rare trip to Old Rigret for the SKOB Dogs who blew away their opponents after quarter time, outscoring them 93 points to 9 after the Snowies had hit the first huddle one point to the good. Super Coach Sam Doyle was very pleased with his hounds who will face the same opponent next weekend in the First Semi. Alex Smith, Pat Jones, Nick McMahon, Ed Harmon, Will Batchelor and Ben Mahony were the best for the SKOB Dogs. After a team building session at Buoys Pizza did the trick last week - the Dogs might have to repeat the dose!