Purple Sneakers...

A huge collective sigh of relief was let out at the final siren - loud and long - as the SKOB Seniors found a way to sneak home against a raging Purple Army. The visitors had thrown everything at their hosts in a desperate fight for the four premiership points. At the ringing of the bell however it was SKOB who found themselves marginally in front - for the second time this year against Collegians. Reverse those two results and SKOB are probably not on their way to finals and Collegians are safe in Premier. But that’s not how the footy gods saw it, and Coach Lynch will be pleased to pocket the win - especially as his team had to dig deep in the second half to attain it against a valiant opposition.

Collegians came into the game without the greatest record in terms of the win loss column, but results alone do not truly give a true form guide read on this team who are perennially hard to beat. The visitors were able to bring in a couple of premiership stars from 2023, whereas SKOB were light on for experience. As one insightful SKOB fan noted (thanks Terry...), we were a bit short of “Sams”. Losing Sam Tucker, Sam Cameron and Sam Critchley at selection - SKOB would then lose their last Sam - Barnett - to an early injury. No one was under the slightest illusion that this game was never going to go right to the wire. Like the signs on the boomgates by Glen Iris station, it had Danger written all over it. 

And so it would prove as the Lions leapt out early and had more than their mascot’s share of possession in the first half. Taking a lead into the first break, they extended it out in the second quarter to lead by an even 3 goals. Patrick Kerr, who was a welcome inclusion back into the Senior side, responded with a couple of his own, but the Lions roared again late in the quarter and hit the sheds with a 14 point buffer - more than deserved given their weight of possession. 

Coach Lynch and his crew went to work at half time and swung a few shrewd moves. It was “Ben Mansfield Hour” to start the second half as he booted 3 snags within the first ten minutes - edging the home team in front for the first time all day. Kerr added another and although Collegians were able to get one back, the general consensus was that SKOB would run away with it in the last. Well that was far from the truth, as Collegians once again mounted a challenge. With the looming threat of the drop hanging over them, the Lions owned the footy in their front half through the final term. SKOB were defending desperately and holding on to their small lead that was slowly being eroded. Finally, Kerr held a strong mark in front of the sticks and converted. Moments later, Adducci slotted another to give the home team a 15 point lead and lull the faithful behind the goals into another false sense of security as the clock ticked in to time on.

The brave Collegians effort looked to have run out of steam, but just as quickly, the coal burners fired up again and within  minutes, they had snagged back to back goals and the margin was again under a kick. The last few desperate moments saw SKOB do just enough to hang on and sneak one over the Purple Army for the second time this season.

A vital four points in the pocket for the Seniors who keep their finals aspirations on track. For the vanquished, they put in a tremendous effort all day and surely showed they have enough to find the couple of wins required to keep their Premier membership going into 2026. For SKOB, the better players were Luke Winter, Jack Andriske, Anthony Seaton, Alastair Richards (in his 100th game), Cam Hodges and Ben Mansfield

Kaboom! - last term avalanche launches Cloughie's Commandos

For three quarters the Ressies meandered along against a clearly undermanned Collegians twos team. To their credit, the Lions were making life as difficult for SKOB as they could, and although were not likely to ever cause an upset, were certainly giving a great effort. Whatever Coach Clough said at the final break must have flicked some kind of switch as the Ressies went berserk in the last quarter, booting home 10 goals to effectively double their tally from the first three quarters of toil, whilst keeping a blank sheet at the other end. The spark was just the tonic as the lunch time crowd was starting to get restless in their seats at the pre game function. Putting smiles on their faces were the likes of Sam Jones, Oscar White, Robert Larcher, Elliot Mahoney (with 5 goals) , Xavier Duke and SKOB favourite Lachie Merrett.

Final quarter blitz does it for Stingers

The Stingers were pushed all the way to the end by Old Brighton in the early game at the King. It was Last Chance Saloon for the ‘tonners who needed to win to keep their finals hopes alive, and after a tight first half, the visitors had edged forward by a goal when the teams huddled for the final time. Coach Jacko’s sermon must have inspired the flock as the Stingers came out and blasted the tonners in the last, booting 6 goals to one and running away with the points and a seal on their top four spot with one round remaining. JP O’Shannassy snagged a couple just as his old man was settling in to a few celebratories with his Under 19 chargers from the 2000 Premiership at lunch. It would have made for an enticing entree. The Stingers have one last round to determine top two next weekend when they face Trinity. Those who stung sharpest were Zach Close, Lachie Haig, Julian Chaffey, Fintan Evans, Anthony Parente and Sam Mercuri

Cards deal Saints a deadly hand

In the match of the day at Old Rigret, the Scotch Stars had too much firepower for our Saints Gold who went down by 20 points to their rival. In the process they have fallen behind in the race for a top two spot and face ladder leaders Caulfield Grammarians next week in a game they must win to have any hope of claiming a double chance at season's end. The Scotch side broke away with accurate kicking - holding a 14 point advantage at the half, despite having one less scoring shot. The Saints fought it out well in the final term, but had left themselves too much to do, despite the best efforts of Kate Stanton, Molly Wilson, Mischa Beaconsfield, Belinda Woolcock, Bree Doyle and Elyce Hay

In the early game, the Blues were delivered a killer blow by Old Scotch who effectively

ended the Saints Blues slim chances of finals with a comeback win at OId Rigret. The Blues started really well and were giving a great show until the Cards took hold of the contest in the third term and were able to hold out the brave Blues at the finish. Best for the Blues were Caroline Straford, Lucy Kehoe, Caitlin McDonough, Sarah Cameron, Tayla Nichols and Esther Seymour-Pessah

It’s not easy being Green

The Green Machine started well at the Cobra pit on Saturday, but soon ran out of steam as Canterbury got the better of the contest after quarter time. For the dreamers, they have one round left to play and will give it their all as they have all season. Coach Mikayla was most impressed with Kate Shannon, Brigie Snell, Cara Davies, Sofia Zielonka, Sophie Stevens-Williamson and Pip Stephenson

No fun in the Sun

Coach Ollie’s upstarts took a shock lead into the quarter time huddle at Toorak Park against the highly credentialed Old Xavs team, but alas, that was the end of the good news for the Academy who succumbed to the ladder leaders who were too strong on the day. Some of the better performers for the Academy were Max Mulcahy, Lucas Mascia, Nick Jackson, Sam Mulcahy, Daniel Gambell and Mamuch Chuol

Fielders find a few more clues

Caulfield Grammarians were able to hold the SKOB Dogs at bay all afternoon to record a 16 point win over Coach Doyles hounds in Bentleigh. It was a good test for the SKOB Dogs who might learn a thing or two about their opponent who they may face in a couple of weeks time when it really counts. Ronan Smythe, Alexander Smith, Billy Branagan, Thomas Batchelor, Dash Spencer and Roshan Fernandes were the best for the Dogs who have one round to go before the finals.

Premier flex as we approach the pointy end

Still a few rounds to go before finals in the Under 19 Premier Division but SKOB were able to put down a big statement with a thumping 65 point win over fellow finals aspirant, Old Scotch, at Camberwell on Saturday. With a number of their brethren stepping up to play Senior football, the young SKOBs showed that they bat deep, as a six goal to zip finish put paid to an inaccurate Old Scotch outfit. Matthew Redenbach, James Quinlan, Archie Dollman, Dante Tomarchio, Douglas Kerr and Johnathon Gambaro were all handy players for Coach Greeny.

Eight is Great for young Will

Sharp shooting Will Young booted 8 goals in a brilliant display as the 19 2's dismantled Ormond at Gunn Reserve. After a dominant first half, SKOB were challenged in a much more even third term, but they had plenty of petrol tickets left for the last and finished with 7 goals to 1 to run out 83 point winners. Joining Will Young amongst the best were, Zach Ibrahim,Francis Mancini, Alfie Kidman, James Hunt and "Fiery" Fred Walshe.