Double Trouble

Any slender hope of claiming the double chance in Premier A was blown to smithereens by an Old Xavs team intent on making a statement. SKOB Seniors had no answers to the onslaught on Saturday and now have two weeks to get it sorted before a cut throat final they are consigned to in September. It was a tough day at Toorak as the Reserves were officially exited from finals calcs after a spirited effort against the league leaders was not enough to get the points. Better times were had over at Old Rigret as the Saints went three for three. The Greens opened the batting with a strong win over De La, before the Blues did the same over Kew and set the table for the Golds who saluted in Bree Doyle’s 150th to make it a true Saints celebration. The Spirit of 96 returned to TH King as the U19 Premiership team of 30 years ago reunited to help cheer on their team mate from that triumph, and current day U19 Premier Coach Paul Greenham, as his team took another step to September with a  crucial win over St Bedes. The day at the King started well for SKOB with the Vipers getting the points over Monash. The Stingers lost a tight one to Old Xavs but will enter the finals next week looking strong. Over at Camberwell, our Academy team, pieced together with string and sticky tape, pounded Old Scotch to the tune of 100 plus in a terrific finish to their tough 2026 campaign. The SKOB Dogs needed a miracle - and 20 more goals - to get past OMs in the final game of the year, and put in a great fight to go down by just a solitary point. The loss a small sour note on an otherwise decent season up a few grades. Down at Boss James Reserve, the Hampton Rovers put the final nail in the SD1's chances, prevailing in a very even game of football. All up it was 6 wins from 11, but plenty to consider for SKOB Seniors as they enter the final fortnight of the regular season.

Lots to Ponder

The SKOB Seniors entered this round confident they could give the top two a real shake and upset Xavs on their home deck, but they were no match for the home team who were cleaner with the ball, more damaging on turnover and able to turn their periods of momentum into scores. SKOB for their part were good in patches - particularly early in each quarter - but during their moments in the sun they could only add single goals, not the multiple goals that Xavs were able to muster when they had their lion's share of the pill. SKOB were able to force turnovers, but too often had these turned over again and returned with interest by a pretty slick Xavs outfit. SKOB will look to add a few troops to the team over the next fortnight, but there is lots to ponder and plenty of work to do. Fortunately they do have a couple of rounds to play where they can look to find the improvement they will need to be at the level September demands.

For Coach Lynch, there were solid contributors, with Jack Andriske playing a fine game in his 100th time out. Others to earn some plaudits were Liam Gunson, Archie Dollman (who is playing well beyond his limited experience might suggest), Jack Darmody, Sam Cameron and Jack Mahony. Dougie Kerr came back into the team for the first time since Round 8 and booted 3 goals from limited opportunities in a good hit out.

The result all but mathematically rules SKOB out of a claim on top two this season, with the advantage being that they can approach the final fortnight knowing their path to the First Semi in a few weeks time.

Fun in the sun

It was party time at Old Rigret as the SKOB Saints went 3 for 3 and rang in Bree Doyle's 150th in the best way possible. As always, Sez Withers was on hand to capture a few moments.

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Greeny's Greenshoots get it done

With the 96 nineteeners looking on and providing plenty of encouragement, the SKOB U19 Premier team claimed a vital win over fellow top four aspirant St Bedes in an entertaining game at TH King. The table is incredibly tight in U19 Premier and it got even tighter after the weekend's results. All teams are just trying to get a win to ensure September action, with the final few spots up for grabs over the last two rounds to come. Thanks to Danny Egan for these shots from the King, and congrats to the 96ers for gathering in such great numbers all these years after their triumph.

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Seniors	8.7.55	Lost to	Old Xavs	14.10.94
Reserves	7.4.46	Lost to	Old Xavs	10.11.71
Saints Gold	6.5.41	Defeated	Kew	4.1.25
Saints Blue	9.16.70	Defeated	Kew	1.2.8
Saints Green	6.12.48	Defeated	De La Salle	0.0.0
U19 Premier	11.14.80	Defeated	St Bedes	5.3.33
U19 SD1	12.10.82	Lost to	Hampton Rovers	16.13.109
U19 SD3	10.6.66	Defeated	Monash Blues	7.7.49
Academy	22.13.145	Defeated	Old Scotch	5.7.37
Stingers	9.4.58	Lost to	Old Xavs	10.7.67
SKOB Dogs	8.9.57	Lost to	Old Melburnians	8.10.58