BLACKOUT

Three goals in the last three minutes saw Uni Blacks pinch an extraordinary win in a game that SKOB seemingly had in control. The Seniors fought a tight battle all day and looked to have finally outlasted their hosts - leading by 19 points with just four minutes to play. Blacks threw caution to the wind and somehow managed to level the scores with seconds to play. A late mark and goal gave them the miracle win as time ran out. In a dirty day for SKOB, the Senior Women’s team (Golds) were given a hiding by Willy CY’s out at Fearon Reserve. There was better news for our Reserves with both Men’s and Women’s (Blues) recording big wins. Also having a big win was the Under 19 Premier who were too strong for Old Scotch. The Stingers and SKOB Dogs both won, but there were losses to the Academy and Under 19 2’s - the Greens had a bye. A return of 5 from 9 for the weekend, but it could have - and probably should have - been much better.

What just happened?

It’s hard to describe what happened in the last minute of actual playing time at Uni Oval. For the most part, the game was an evenly fought battle with both sides enjoying small periods of momentum, and lead changes were aplenty. Neither side really extended their advantage for any period of the game and at 3/4 time the margin was a point to the home team. It was anyone’s game and likely it would be the team that would last longest who would prevail. 

With all the play in the first ten minutes of the last quarter, SKOB should really have put the game beyond doubt. The ball was parked in their forward half, but a return of 1.3 left a few goals on the table and the door ajar. Blacks had their moment and erased the small SKOB lead down to a point as we passed the half way mark of the term. It was then that SKOB wrestled back momentum and put the biggest gap between the sides all day. Sam Cameron kicked a beauty, then Will Pfeiffer sharked the pack to score from the goal square. When Sam Barnett added a third, the visitors looked like they had shut the gate. A near miss to Kerr followed but even when the Blacks kicked one against the run of play it appeared to be no more than a late consolation.

SKOB controlled the ball for the next few minutes and as the time clock ticked past 31 minutes, still held a 12 point lead. For the Blacks to tie - let alone win the game - everything would need to go perfectly from here. Alas, for the visitors, that’s exactly what happened. A clearing kick from defence into the SKOB forward half was returned, with a Blacks mark and running goal reducing the margin to a single major. That was erased within 10 seconds as Blacks cleared from the centre bounce and landed another on the run. SKOB were shell shocked and looked stunned as their certain win now looked like ending in a draw, but there was worse to come. Blacks again won the centre clearance, the SKOB defence cleared it but a mark was taken on the edge of the paint, and from distance, Blacks only needed a point to win it. Kudos to them, the long range kick sailed through for a goal, and although the ball came back to the centre, there were only a handful of seconds remaining - barely enough to ball it up, blow the siren, and send the home fans into raptures. 

Congrats to the Blacks, they really pulled this one out of the fire, and to say that SKOB lost the game would deny the Blacks the fact that they won it. 

A horror show of an ending for Coach Lynch and his team, for the second week in a row - this one decidedly more painful than the last. A week off to chew on it as we break for the long weekend, but there are still 10 rounds and a long way to go in Season 2025 - if nothing else a football season can be forgiving .

Best for SKOB were Anthony Seaton, Tom Jok, Angus Hart, Dexter Prime, Angus Phillips and Sam Tucker

The Ressies kept the run going with another solid win. Yanni was there to capture it all in his weekly dispatch:

SKOBs Secure Strong Victory to Cement Second Spot

The SKOBs boys departed on one of their longest road trips of the season to Melbourne University Oval, with the picturesque city skyline in the background, looking to secure their sixth consecutive win.

Both teams started on an even keel in the first quarter, but the SKOBs boys quickly took control of the game, playing their brand of footy. Thomas Andriske found Thomas Feehan to open the scoring, followed by two snags from Nick Dachs and Hamish Reimers. Ollie Gill also kicked a nice snap goal, leaving the boys with a thirteen-point lead by the end of the quarter.

The boys came out strong in the second quarter, moving the ball quickly and creating space for more scoring shots. Sebastian Duffy kicked what might be one of the best goals of the season, a beautiful checkside goal on the run. This, in conjunction with strong forward and midfield efforts, set the boys up with a thirty-five-point lead.

The third quarter began with the SKOBs boys continuing to control the flow of the game. They achieved this by being more physical in the contest, and the backline didn’t shy away from the challenge. Ollie Gill appeared to play the quarter of his life, always being in the right place for the forward-fifty entries and kicking four goals in the quarter.

The final term kicked off with the boys saving their best quarter for last as they turned on the style, piling on another four goals. Matthew Canning was a standout, kicking two of the goals in the quarter, one of which was from the boundary line. The back six were crucial in this full-team display, as they didn’t concede a single point for the entire quarter, finishing the game with another impressive victory.

The SKOBs left chuffed with their complete four-quarter performance, and Coach Clough was all smiles knowing that his team maintained their second spot heading into the bye.

Best of the Ressies were: Ollie Gill, Tom Pirola, George Delimitrou, Thomas Feehan, Tom Burley and Tom Andriske

MayDay malaise as Gold turns to dust, but Blue skies continue

Not sure which way the wind was blowing out at Fearon Reserve, but it’s fair to assume that the home team had the advantage as they obliterated the Saints Gold in the first quarter.

A 5.1 to zip opening basically shut the gate on Coach Tommy’s team who found no way back into the contest after the blistering start. Short a couple of key players, the Saints Gold never got going and Williamstown roared away to a thumping victory. A bit of a wake up call for the Golds, who will take the time to reset over the long weekend and look to bite back in a fortnight.

For the vanquished, Belinda Woolcock, Bree Doyle, Charity Russell, Bella Rees, Elysia Burvill and Hannah Smith were all fine contributors

For the Blues, they went the opposite way, totally dominating their opponents for a solid three and a bit quarters before taking the foot off the pedal a bit in the final stanza. It was all Blue skies for the Saints as they chalked up win number 4 in a row and now find themselves back in the race in Premier Women’s Reserve. Sharp shooting Camo booted another three snags as the Blues find a potent force in attack. Best of the blues were: Bridget Gray, Holly Cook, Lucy Leckey, Stella Grundmann, Alice Buffham and Sarah Cameron

The Green Machine had a bye this weekend

Red and Blacks too strong for Tricolours

The Academy have had an up and down season this year. Alas it was on the down side that Coach Ollie’s team found themselves this weekend as Old Xavs came out firing early - put the score on the board - and never let the Academy back in to the contest. It’s been hard to get a settled team for the Academy this season, but in any case Xavs were strong on all lines and made short work of SKOB at TH King. With a few to come back after the break, Coach Ollie will be hoping to strengthen the side as we turn for winter. He was well served by the likes of Will Cooper, Daniel Gambell, Seb Nogara, Patty Croagh and Jack Luscombe

Stingers stick a Fawkn-it

No I'm not working blue, just playing with the venue name the Stingers found themselves at on Saturday as they hosted the T's from Old Trinity. It was a tight battle for a half as the two opponents felt their way around the Fawkner Park surface. Coming out after half time, the Stingers showed they had adapted to their surroundings better, and put the pedal down, restricting the T's to a solitary point as they built a winning lead. The T's came back at them in the last, but with Harris Buultjens, Fintan Evans and Zach Close well in control of proceedings, the Stingers were able to register a comfortable enough win. Others to star for the Sting were Tom Sheehan, Xander Dietze and Luca Gambell.

Friday night's alright for the hounds

The SKOB Dogs had a Friday date night with the boys from Beauy at Shark Park. And on a chill evening that kept attendance on the low side, the Dogs gave the few fans who braved the fresh air, plenty to cheer about. Coach Sammy Doyle got to Shark Park nice and early to check out the surrounds and make sure his players were ready to mix it. Their start was spot on, and by the half, it was well in hand. The second half really stretched it for the fans who were keen to hit the road, but SKOBs mission to grab 4 points was met.

For the Dogs, the better hounds were Ronan Smythe, Nelson Conwell, Hamish Toohey, Alex Smith, Angus Rolleston and Oli Garlick

Cards dealt with

Coach Greeny was keeping his cards close to his chest prior to the big clash with local rival Old Scotch in the battle for Gardiner's Creek on Saturday. The Cardinals have been in pretty sharp form this season, and SKOB were very wary of what they might bring to TH King. Any fears were quickly put to bed as the Premier 19s came out in a blistering first half and put a 7 goal gap between themselves and the Cards. It was a more even third term, but SKOB were keen to put some icing on the cake, and did so with a four goal to nil final term to finish 67 points to the good.

There were winners across the ground for SKOB, but the better ones were Ged Saunders, Matthew Redenbach, Tom Conlan, Taj Fernandes, Tom Bromhead and Dom Portelli

Bears better boys in brave battle

Our Under 19 2s have been on a bit of a roll, but it all came to an end at the hands of Kew. Coach Joey's team put in a very solid first half and were right in the contest, but the Bears stretched away after half time and were a bit too hot to handle. Despite the loss, the 2's are still holding their own in a very competitive grade. Young James Quinlan had his best game so far for SKOB and found willing allies in Riley Ellett, Lachie Teal, Will Young, Patrick Lynch and Fiery Freddy Walshe.