Fields of fluctuation and fortune

A workmanlike effort against a persistent Caulfield Grammarians saw SKOB pick up the 4 points on the back of another Tucker Bag. The Seniors went ahead on the ledger courtesy of the win and now sit at 3-2, just outside the top four. It followed a breakthrough victory for the Ressies who finally got on the board in 2026 with a win that provided much relief. Over at Old Rigret it was a tough day out for the Saints who ran into a very strong Caulfield Grammarians outfit. The Saints Gold and Blue found the fielders too strong on the day. Better news at TH King with SKOB reclaiming its fortress status, delivering 3 wins from 3. Opening with a strong showing from the SKOB Dogs who finally unfurled their premiership flag from 2025 - ending the longest run between the win last August and the unfurling in May - yes May! They kicked things off by beating Old Xavs, then the 19 2’s knocked off the previously unbeaten Old Melburnians in a thriller, before the U19 Premier took the bragging rights with a win over Old Xavs in front of a big crowd at the King. There were thrills elsewhere. The Stingers stung the Roys and the Green Machine had a draw at Pitcher Park where the locals snagged two in red time to split the points. Our 19 3s went down in a really close one at Chaddy, whilst the Academy found Xavs too strong at Straddy. All up, it was 6 and a half wins for SKOB.

SKOB feast on another Tucker Bag

The Seniors game saw SKOB run out in their new clash strip, but the unfamiliar uniform didn’t seem to impact their ability to connect, and they had the first on the board through Doug Kerr, despite kicking into the strong breeze at Glenhuntly. The home team then had the better of the quarter with the wind behind them, but didn’t convert enough opportunities and SKOB were only a goal behind at the first change. With the spinnaker up, SKOB made the most of the breeze and loaded up with 6 including a couple to young Tom Bromhead who is finding his feet at the level as an alumni from the U19s last year. At the main break, SKOB were well in control, but the fielders were not done with yet. They lifted kicking to the Neerim Rd end and peppered the sticks, reducing the margin to just 9 points as the teams turned for home. The margin would have been a lot closer, and the home team might well have been in front, had they not been awry with their kicking boots - a return of 4.8 wasn’t going to do it for them today. With a few jelly snakes in the belly and the breeze at their backs, SKOB again took control of proceedings and held off the determined locals who never gave in all day. The margin didn’t blow out at all until SKOB kicked the last 2 as the clock ticked past 30, with the final margin of 34 points not really reflecting the closeness of the contest. For SKOB it was all about getting the 4 points and taking their season ratio above .500 for the first time in 2026. On to another challenge this weekend as they return home from a fortnight on the road and welcome the Cardinals to the King. Best for SKOB was the ultra consistent Angus Hart in defence. Others were George Delimitrou, Billy Bryan, Andrew Mathieson and Doug Kerr, whilst another bag of 4 for Sam Tucker saw him as the dominant forward on the day again.

SKOBs Find their Spark at Glen Huntly Park

The SKOBs arrived in Caulfield with renewed focus, hoping to break their duck for the season as they headed into their clash with Caulfield Grammarians at Glen Huntly Park.

It was fitting that the game took place across the road from the racecourse because, in the first quarter, the SKOBs boys bolted out in front. The boys managed to lock the ball down in the forward half, getting their hands on the footy early and claiming the early ascendancy. The boys displayed top-class ball movement, controlling what seemed to be the majority of the play, and it translated onto the scoreboard as they kicked four goals to one.

The second term began with Caulfield Grammarians fighting back into the contest and making inroads into the SKOBs lead. Despite this, the SKOBs boys maintained their composure, with a goal from Francis Mancini keeping the lead in the boys’ favour by slim margins heading into the half-time break.

Some brotherly love on show in the Ressies with the Williams brothers Tom and Hugh playing together for the first time at SKOB. The sons of ex-SKOB Dave Williams who played 89 games in the 1990s and is now a major sponsor of the club through his Forty Winks stores. Hopefully there's plenty more to come from the Williams boys.

The third term began with the SKOBs sparking into gear with their best quarter of the season, taking complete control of the game in every aspect. What really stood out was the boys’ quick decision-making and communication, which separated the two teams. This was reflected fully on the scoreboard, with goals from Hudson Lefoe, Thomas Williams, Tom Perola and Lukas May delivering six goals while keeping the opposition scoreless.

The final stanza began with the SKOBs continuing their stranglehold on the game, piling on another three snags and extending the total to nine unanswered goals for the half. It seemed the SKOBs boys could not be denied their first win of the season.

Coach Harry Long and his staff were elated with the performance and now look forward to carrying the positive momentum into next week’s home clash against Old Scotch Reserves.

A day to forget at Old Rigret

The Saints came up against the juggernaut known as Caulfield Grammarians at Old Rigret on Saturday and both teams found their visitors too slick on the day. The fields have been the benchmark in 2026, and were dominant in the second half of the Golds match, after a pretty even first two stanzas. For the Blues, they'll need to dust themselves off quickly having been no match for Caulfield who have taken all before them in the Ressies comp to date. As always, Sarah Withers was there to capture some of the action.

At TH King there was a big crowd on hand to see a mighty clash in the Under 19 Premier grade between SKOB and old rivals Xavs. The highly entertaining clash saw SKOB come out on top and grab bragging rights until the next clash. The game was preceded by a thriller in U19 South Division 1 with SKOB sneaking home over the previously unbeaten Old Melburnians. Danny Egan had the lens out at TH King and captured a few snaps

Seniors	14.14.98	Defeated	Caulfield Gramm	8.16.64
Reserves	14.11.95	Defeated	Caulfield Gramm	5.5.35
Saints Gold	2.0.12	Lost to	Caulfield Gramm	8.14.62
Saints Blue	0.2.2	Lost to	Caulfield Gramm	12.11.83
Saints Green	5.8.38	Drew	Parkside	6.2.38
U19 Premier	12.9.81	Defeated	Old Xavs	9.5.59
U19 SD1	12.5.77	Defeated	Old Melb	10.15.75
U19 SD2	4.16.40	Lost to	Monash Blues	5.13.43
Academy	4.7.31	Lost to	Old Xavs	15.7.97
Stingers	9.12.66	Defeated	Fitzroy	6.8.44
SKOB Dogs	16.8.104	Defeated	Old Xavs	5.10.40