The sharks were circling but SKOB have snapped a two game losing streak and in the process booked their spot in September with a resounding win over a very inexperienced and undermanned Old Carey at TH King this afternoon. The win capped off a big day of milestone celebrations with the captains of both the Seniors (Nick Wood) and the Reserves (Tom Sullivan) chalking up 100 games, whilst Nick McCardle became an instant Life Member by bringing up 200 great games for SKOB.
In sunny but windy conditions, SKOB were never troubled after opening up with a 7.5 to 0 first term and going on to win by 99 points in the finish. Around the grounds there were wins to all the other teams battling for a spot in the finals (Old Brighton, Collegians and OM's all had wins) but SKOB's victory means that those three sides will only have fourth spot to play for when the season finishes next week.
As mentioned, the opening quarter was all SKOB. They won the toss and kicked with the steady 4-5 goal breeze to the Eastern end in the opening term and from early on were never looking in trouble. Early goals to Waite and Lynch calmed any nerves that SKOB may have had, coming off their recent bout of form. Shaun Kennedy marked strongly in the tricky windy conditions and slotted another goal for SKOB, then Matty Arnot booted a ripper and they were well on their way to building a big score. Although kicking with a stiff breeze, SKOB made sure they used it best and the 49 points to 0 scoreline at the first break was testament to their dominant control of the game.
Working hard into the breeze in the second quarter, SKOB were keen to put this contest to bed and Kennedy and Waite were giving the OC defence headaches. Both of them booting a couple and extending the SKOB lead out to a decent size at Half time. Fair to say that the sting was well out of the game by now, but the SKOB boys were intent on playing a high intensity brand of football and regaining some confidence that has gone missing in the past couple of weeks.
As clouds replaced the glorious sun enjoyed in the first half, SKOB returned to status quo after the break with Phil Edgar booting a very cheeky goal from the line one minute in, and then Michael Pisker speared through a monster left footer on the run to bring the crowd back to life. Mitch Brown was again having plenty of it and linked up a couple of times with Waite for the spearhead to boot a couple more in the quarter, before Easy Phillips booted one to the delight of many.
At orange time it was clear that SKOB had this in the bag, but the coaching staff were still keen to see them run out the game and work hard into the breeze as preparation for conditions that are likely to be the same come September. Fortunately for the fans, the rain was kept at bay and although the temperature dropped, it stayed dry and the quality of football stayed high right to the finish. Credit to Old Carey for fighting the game right out and SKOB were made to work hard through the final term. Waite was able to kick an easy sixth major to round out a great game whilst Dom Morgan had the final say as time ran out on Easy Phillips when he was certain to snag another only for the siren to sound and leave him a few yards short. Lachie Merrett was adjudged best afield for SKOB for a great game off half back.
SKOB 20.15.125
Old Carey 5.6.36
Goal Kickers: J. Waite 6, J. Holden 3, S. Kennedy 3, P. Edgar 3, M. Pisker, M. Arnot, A. Lynch, D. Morgan , E. Phillips Best Players: L. Merrett, C. Matheson, E. Phillips, M. Brown, C. Hodges, W. Coates
