A thrilling draw was the result for the Seniors on Saturday at Elsternwick Park. At the end of an emotionally draining week for the whole club, and in particular for the Senior group, SKOB finished all square with Old Melburnians after a tight struggle all day. A come from behind win to the Reserves started out the day at HQ with the Ressies rallying late to claim all 4 points. At Camberwell the Academy lowered their colours to the Cardinals and will need to knock off Trinity next weekend to grab the double chance as the home and away comes to a conclusion in Thirds Premier. A Saturday Twilight feeding frenzy for the Stingers who monstered an undermanned Collegians at Harry Trott. The Stingers saluting to the tune of an even 150 points. Comfortable wins in uncomfortable conditions at Old Rigret for the Gold and the Blue Saints who were both too strong for their Monash Uni opponents, however the Green Machine copped their first loss of the season as they went down to the Albert Park Falcons in a high quality affair. The performance of the round most certainly was in the Under 19s as our Premier team fought back off the canvas at Half time and overhauled league leaders Old Scotch on the back of an inspired effort in the Premiership quarter. The Div 2’s had to venture to Parkside for the upteenth time this year and alas came back on the wrong side of the ledger. Again an undermanned Div 4’s team gave it an almighty crack and this time almost toppled Bulleen Temp, but went under by 7 points. Overall the club registered 5 and a half wins from 10.
Two points
It was a freezing old day down at Artic Park on Saturday and conditions were tough for footy, but both sides acquitted themselves well and put on a thrilling show for the hardy few fans who made their way to Glenhuntly Rd to witness proceedings. Just a single goal to Ollie Gill in a gritty opening term that gave SKOB a slight lead as the teams changed ends for the first time. OM’s had the better of the early exchanges in term two, registering a couple of snags and getting their noses in front before SKOB reeled them back in with goals to Kerr and Delimitrou At the main break it was SKOB by 7 points.
The third term was much of the same, although SKOB were able to stretch out to their biggest lead of the day after OM’s kicked an early one when Cal Jones and then Patty Kerr kicked goals to make it a game high 13 point margin. Another late one to OM’s cut the margin and as the teams turned for home it was SKOB by 7 points - as it had been at quarter time and half time.
The sun came out in the final quarter and bathed the venue in a glorious balmy bake that was warmly received by grateful players and fans alike. The change in conditions allowed for a more open game, but scoring was still difficult. The home team managed a couple of goals to give them the lead in the shadows of time on and it appeared an upset was on the cards. A brilliant effort in the goal square from Sam Tucker who flew for the mark and then was first to react to feed on his own crumbs and put SKOB back in front as the clock ticked past 24 minutes. OM’s came again and with a few long range shots that were guided over the line by the SKOB defence had whittled the lead to a single point. The home team then were given one last chance with a free in front. The shot drifted wide to make the scores even. A long kick in from SKOB found the middle of the ground as time expired with the teams locked on 48 points. For both teams there was something gained/something lost but the two points will be helpful in the grand scheme.
Best for SKOB were: Nick Sing, Cam Hodges, Al Richards, George Delimitrou, Bill Coates and Jack Andriske
Ressies dig deep and find a way
Our man Yanni wasn’t at the Ressie’s this week so just a quick summary. The home team was all over SKOB in the early going, showing a better handle for the tough conditions than their visitors. In the second term SKOB were able to make some inroads into the lead but OM’s were still holding sway as the teams hit the sheds, and in the third they always seemed to have the answers for any questions SKOB were able to throw their way. As the final stanza commenced there was the sniff of an upset, but the Ressie’s from the King showed that they were made of sterner stuff as they wrestled control of the contest and began to hit the scoreboard. The defence stood firm allowing only a solitary behind as SKOB piled on the final three goals to steer clear of their gallant opponent and went on to record a vital away win. Better SKOB players amongst a great team performance were Tom Feehan, Jack Romanin, Hamish Reimers, Jack Byrne, Billy Bryan and Zach Dakis
Thanks to James Andriske for capturing some of the action from both the Seniors and the Ressies on Saturday.
Thanks to Sarah Withers for capturing some of the action from the Ressies on Saturday.
Academy reality check
Our man was at Camberwell on Saturday as the Academy went down to the Cards:
"It is a truism in life that there are a couple of things that will never shine, no matter how much you polish them. One of those things was the game that was played by the Academy squad on Saturday. The less said about the game the better but where run, communication and intensity have been the hallmark of The academy’s game style for the vast majority of the season, all were desperately lacking at Camberwell against Scotch. On a pretty glum day the few bright efforts came in the ruck from Dan Macarthy, Liam Foo at his feet and some hard running from the Flying Frenchman Maxime Departhieu.
If the events of the last week have any sort of silver lining is the being taught the lesson of perspective. Taking the advice of senior coach Plugger Lynch, ‘get out a red pen, rule a line under this one and move on. Every team is entitled to a mulligan…’ The Academy will re-group, get back to work and head to Bulleen to face Trinity in the last home & away game of the season that will deliver the winner 2nd spot on the ladder and the crucial second chance come finals time."
BEST: Jack Liszukiewicz, Edward Bourke, Oliver Doyle, James Ritchie, Daniel McCarthy and Liam Foo
The Stingers were on at Twilight at the Trott against a pretty undermanned Collegians and they took the Lions to the sword - saluting by an even 25 goals. There were contributions right across the board from Jimmy Hill and JP O’Shannassy with 4 apiece right through to the 14th goal kicker, Angus Gorman who was busy curating his mo for a 70’s Disco Party. A big win for the Stingers who still need to beat Fitzroy in the final round to lock in a top two spot, but finals are guaranteed.
Those who stung most were Lachie Haig, Christian Dachs, James Hill, Noah Montague, Jean-Paul O’Shannassy and Romanor Falconer.
Saints offer no discount for Students
Tommy Purcell has plenty of experience in the coaching caper and knows that late season fixtures against teams no longer in the mix for September can be brought with danger. Last week they found themselves level with Melbourne Uni who took the game right up to the unbeaten ladder leaders before the Saints kicked into gear. There would be no such repeat this weekend with the Golds putting the foot down early and kicking clear of the students from the Monash side. A solid first half then a frugal second put paid to any thoughts of a challenge, and by the last quarter the game was done. All that was left was to find a nice warm spot and leave chilly Old Rigret behind. For the Golds, they keep themselves just clear of Scotch who continue to breathe down their neck in a tight battle for ladder leading bragging rights.
Coach Tommy gave the votes to Bree Doyle, Kate Stanton, Lily Davies, Emily Condon (in her 50th game), Hannah Smith and Maggie McDonough.
A clinical performance from the Blues who were miserley in defence and ruthless in attack as they swept past their fellow Blues in Monash to the tune of 64-0. Coach Strauss was at his barefoot barking best as he gave instruction to his charges who clearly heard the message and strolled away with the win in Eliza Doble’s 50th game for SKOB.
Of the better Blues were Sienna Vallejo, Georgie Nolan, Alice Straford, Dom Garcia, Steph Chong and Steph Taylor.
The Green Machine have finally dropped a game, going under to the Albert Park Falcons in a high quality top of the table fixture. The Falcons swooped early and shellshocked the Saints in the first quarter. At the huddle the dreamers had to quickly regroup and from that point on they outscored their hosts but the damage was done. Albert Park were worthy winners and will prove a tough prospect come finals time, but the Greeners will at least be able to go to school on the performance and look to rectify at the pointy end of the season.
Best for Greens were: Lauren Barnes, Lucy Leckey, Kate Shannon, Lucy Straford, Stephanie Rooney and Pip Stephenson
Half time rev up sparks Premier come back
The result of the weekend came from TH King where the Under 19 Premier team fought back from a big half time deficit to completely overrun the ladder leaders Old Scotch. The Cardinals were all over SKOB in the first half, keeping the home team to just two goals and piling on 6 - including 5 in a dominant first quarter. The heat was on SKOB at the half as they regrouped to find the answers - and find them they did. The third term saw an incredible response from SKOB who dug deep and worked hard. A four goal to zip quarter saw them reduce the 26 point half time margin to just a single behind. Then a workmanlike final quarter where they outscored the visitors 3 goals to one was enough to see them home in the finish by 13 points. It was a vital win for the Premier lads who are in a tight battle for spots near the top. With the chasing pack only two points back there’s no margin for error in the run home for SKOB, but this win keeps destiny in their own hands.
Best for SKOB were Seb McNamara, Xavier Duke, Ben Palmer, Elliot Mahoney, Zane Greenham and Hudson Lefoe.
The Div 2’s had to venture back out to Parkside for the third time this year and alas found the Devils too strong on the day. Best for SKOB were Mark O'Mahony, Lachie Groves, Will Batchelor, Hamish Toohey, Jack Ball and Aiden Posterino. Our Div 4’s were incredibly brave at TH King and almost claimed their third win for the year, going under by just 7 points to Bulleen Temp. A frustrating day for the boys who had more scoring shots but couldn’t get the radar working and left too many six pointers on the table. Best for SKOB were Luca Kotis, Iggy Murphy, Matisse Kerr, Valentino Scopelliti, Jack Hillyer and Jack Elsworth..
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