Perfect start for SKOB

SKOB have opened up their double defence of the Premier Division campaign with an emphatic win over last year’s grand finalists Collegians at TH King Oval this afternoon. In perfect conditions for football, St. Kevin’s put on a clinical display in the 2nd half to overwhelm their opponents and make a perfect start to the season. Welcoming back some old faces as well as introducing some solid new recruits, it was a familiar yet different looking outfit in the green gold and blue, with only 14 members of the 2018 Premiership team in the squad to combat the opening round.

The first half was a classic arm wrestle affair as neither side was able to break clear. Both half back lines were cutting off forward 50 entries with ease and scoring was proving difficult in a willing but fairly fought contest. As the sides went into half time it was SKOB up by a single goal 4 goal to 3 and the match was very much in the balance.

SKOB were able to break the game open in the 3rd quarter as the sun broke out and heated up the contest. Their stronger bodies started to have greater impact at the contests, whilst their runners made life hard for Collegians who (reportedly undermanned) found it harder to keep up with the fleeter footed SKOBs. Phil Edgar in his return to SKOB after 3 years was running amok on the wing and feeding his forwards with plenty of quality ball, from which they profited.

The last quarter saw both sides tire a little given the heat and opening round, but the game never lost it’s lustre as a spectacle and maintained a high standard throughout. Phil Edgar capped a fine return to the side with a  late goal, whilst Zac Ginies also enjoyed a return to the seniors with a couple of majors.

There were some fine debutantes for SKOB today. Jarrad Waite increased his influence as the game wore on and finished with 3 goals up front. John Wood, a recruit from Horsham had a solid first outing for SKOB whilst Cal Jones was brilliant in the ruck coming into the Seniors straight out of school last year

Earlier in the day, a celebratory lunch was held at the TH King pavilion with a healthy and jovial group in attendance. The 2018 premiership flag was unfurled before the game in front of a large crowd of onlookers in superb weather. Tim Hart (1996 Premiership coach and Coach of the SKOB team of the 90’s) was on hand to perform the unfurling whilst (a very nervous) Michael Christian watched on...

Tim Hart unfurls the 2018 flag.

SKOB 16.10.106

Collegians 8.7.55

Goals: Waite 3, Di Natale 3, N Wood 2, Kennedy 2, Ginies 2, Cameron, Jones, Parkes, Edgar

Best: Coates, Di Natale, Matheson, Waite, Lynch, Lloyd

In the early games, SKOB had the better of Collegians in both the Reserves and the Premier thirds contests. SKOB ran out comfortable victors in both matches - setting things up for the seniors later in the day.

Our SKOB Saints had a great start to the year with both Women’s teams winning, whilst there were wins for the Under 23’s and the Under 19 Section 4 teams.