OH dang....

Admin
May 26
7 min read

Old Haileybury were too good for SKOB Seniors on Saturday, running out deserved winners by 12 points in a bit of a dour battle at TH King. The result soured an otherwise great day for SKOB who recorded 8 out of 10 wins across the grades. A huge win for the Ressies in the curtain raiser, the Saints Gold and Blue (who are on a roll) at Old Rigret, the two Under 19s teams on the road and a sweep for our Thirds teams with the Academy, Stingers and SKOB Dogs all saluting for the tricolours. Only the Saints Green and Men’s Seniors were unable to secure the points.

The rainclouds of Friday parted on Saturday morning and bathed the King in glorious sunshine. A slight breeze helped dry out the ground even more so, and conditions were close to perfect for the bounce at 2pm. Sam Critchley and Jack Mahoney came in to the Senior Men’s side to add experience and the locals were rightly confident of a good showing in front of their home fans. Kicking into the breeze to open proceedings, SKOB started the better team and had the first on the board within five minutes, but from then on Old Haileybury owned the quarter. They were quick to demonstrate their intentions and prove to their own travelling supporters, that they are the real deal in Premier Division. SKOB were happy to keep the Bloods to just the three goals as the visitors were fully in control. A reset at quarter time was in order and SKOB now had the breeze, but they were stung early by a Bloods strike in the opening minute of the term. Sam Barnett stepped up with a pair of snags to right the ship and when Sam Cameron jagged one ticking into time on, the home team were hopeful of parity by the main change. But as they have tended to do a bit this season, SKOB leaked a late goal in red time and it was the visitors who now had a more than useful 8 point buffer when the players hit the sheds.

Coach Lynch called on his lads to shut things down in the third term, as the Bloods were now kicking with the breeze and could put the result to bed before the last change if they were to get a wind up. It was a dour effort from the home team and they did extremely well to restrict their opponents to a series of minor scores, keeping themselves within touching distance. Haileybury eventually slotted one through on 20 minutes, but that was the extent of the damage as SKOB kept themselves close enough - if good enough. With 18 scoring shots to 10, the Bloods should have been more in front than 18 points, but given SKOB’s own inability to score they would need to get on a roll quickly. Pat Kerr answered the call within a minute and Sam Critchley brought the margin under a kick before the clock struck 10 minutes. OH rallied and landed one but Sam Cameron answered and as half the quarter transpired, there was a sense that the home team would reel in their plucky visitors. But the Bloods had learned from recent road trips and were able to find another gear. Two critical strikes within two minutes at the 24 minute mark put Haileybury out of reach, and despite a late one from Ollie Gill the visiting team were strong to the end and ran out worthy 12 point winners when the final bell rang.

A disappointing day for Coach Lynch and his team who will need to put this behind them and move on to next week where they face another improving side in Uni Blacks. On the positive side of things it was great to have Jack Mahoney back in the team and he was best afield for SKOB - ably supported by Anthony Seaton, Liam Gunson, Jack Andriske, Sam Cameron and Luke Winter.

A huge win for the Ressies in the early game as Coach Clough's boys ran up the scoreboard. Our man Yanni was at the game to capture all the action

One Hundred Reasons to Fear the SKOBs Ressies

SKOBs arrived at TH-King looking to continue their red-hot form in recent games, facing Old Haileybury on a sunny but chilly Saturday afternoon.

The game commenced with the SKOBs stamping their authority on the contest through slick ball movement and physicality at ground level, allowing them to dictate the pace early. Matthew Canning was unstoppable in the forward line, taking the game by the scruff of the neck and kicking three of the first five goals, leading to a twenty-point advantage by quarter-time.

The second term began with the SKOBs flexing their muscles all over the ground, particularly in the midfield and forward line with strong set-shot goal-kicking. The ball lived in their forward half as they piled on the goals, putting the game beyond doubt just ten minutes into the quarter. Meanwhile, the backline looked impenetrable, holding Old Haileybury to just one behind for the entire term.

The goal party continued into the third quarter, with everyone getting in on the act as the team seemed to enjoy every minute of it. The boys turned on the style, blowing the lead out to seventy-one points. One had to wonder what the final scoreline might look like by the end.

The fourth quarter began with a percentage boost clearly on the SKOBs' minds, and that’s exactly how it played out. They had their highest-scoring quarter of the game, kicking six goals to one, pushing the margin past the hundred-point mark.

With this emphatic win and the four points, the SKOBs move into outright second on the ladder and now look like genuine premiership contenders this year.

Best for Ressies: Tom Davidson, Ben Mansfield, William Coates, Matthew Canning, Lachlan Merrett, Andrew Butler

Gold shines as Blues Cruise

A Saints double at Old Rigret as both the Golds and Blues knocked over Old Geelong in a couple of quality encounters. In the main game, the swirly breeze at Righetti threatened to play havoc with the skills on show, but players from both teams adjusted well to the conditions. After a spirited opening, OGGs were first to strike before a brilliant snap from Bella Rees tied things up for the Saints. Oh how Coach Tommy must have been happy to see his No.1 Kate Stanton back in the lineup after missing a month through injury. Her snap from a boundary throw in gave the Saints the lead before Lucy Watkin - playing in her 100th game of VAFA football - soccered through another to give the Saints a handy buffer at the half. Coach Tommy’s team talk must have inspired the Golds as they lifted the tempo in the third. After an early snag to OGGs, up stepped Hannah Smith with a couple from strong marks, then Kate Stanton booted her second from long range to give the Saints a winning lead. Old Geelong fought it out well to the end, but SKOB had enough in the bank to ward off any late interest.

A good fight back after last week’s first loss of the season. Best for the Saints Gold were Jess Joyce, Kate Stanton, Em Condon, Belinda Woolcock, Bella Rees and Charity Russell

Earlier, the mighty Blues kept their hot streak going with a thumping win over Old Geelong Reserves. From the opening bounce, the Saints had it under control and at half time were well in command. With Sharp shooting Sarah Cameron booting bags on her favourite dance floor - Righetti Oval - the Saints Blue were never in danger, and went on to a big 36 point win to make it three on the trot. Best were Bridget Gray, Caitlin McDonough, Holly Cook, Zoe Kritikides, Gabriela Happell and Sarah Cameron

Greens stay keen

Over at TH King, the Green Machine had stalled in the cool air of the early morning. The Canterbury Cobras had kept them blank for the first half, but the dreamers showed great spirit booting 3 goals to zip in the third quarter and although they were unable to continue it into the last to pull off a remarkable win, they certainly showed a never say die attitude that will keep them in good stead for their next match.

The greenest for the Greens were Cara Davies, Jaime Tucker, Genevieve Holden, Mathanki Winayakan, Enakshi Rodrigo-Undugodage and Ashley McVea

Academy school the Roys

Academy returned to the winners list with 160 point thumping of Fitzroy. 15 goal kickers showed the overall difference between the two teams with the highlight being the senior debut of Matisse Kerr and Charlie Gill. Both of them looked right at home with the intensity of senior football such as it was delivered by the Fitzroy boys on Saturday. Standout players for the Academy were Max Mulchahy who brought his own football, the flying Frenchman Maxime Demathieu, Chris Kuchel who rolled back the clock and was moving like a well oiled 38-year-old. Joey Martin didn't understand the concept of staying on a half back flank and continually pushed forward and was dangerous all day finishing with four majors. The two Charlie's - Pammer and Gill - were also great contributors for the Academy.

Comeback stingers

A six goals to one second half from the Stingers saw them overcome the main break deficit and come from behind to defeat De La in an enjoyable encounter at Basil St. The home team De La had come to play early, and SKOB had to dig deep to get past a very competitive outfit. They did this on the back of solid performers Ollie Phillips, Noah Montague, Lachie Haig, Joey Moore, Xander Dietze and Cooper Lanyon

Dawgs do ‘dale at Vulture Street

It was tight for a half down at Parkdale, but the SKOB Dogs pulled away with a six goals to two second half to overrun the Vultures at Gerry Green. Coach Doyley was most impressed with the efforts of Liam Hepburn, Ronan Smythe, Andrew Smale, Aiden Posterino, Massimo Marchese and Henry Jones, but thrilled with the whole team performance.

Young SKOBs please Teenage Fanclub

A scintillating opening half from the Under 19 Premier team had the game all but put to bed by the time the teams hit the sheds at the main break. Coach Greeny had his chargers fired up early to snuff out any danger from the Old Xavs who were restricted to just two majors for the entirety. Another strong performance from the young SKOBBERS who take on Old Scotch next week in a monster clash at the King. Best for SKOB were Mark O'Mahony, Tom Conlan, James Kerr, Matthew Redenbach, Benjamin Palmer and Lucas May who booted 4.

Over at Basil St, the 19 2's held sway for a solid three quarters before De La reduced the margin slightly with a fighting last term. By then the game was well in the bank on the back of a dominant display from the young twos, who had all the answers up forward and were able to convert their dominance onto the scoreboard.