ROUND ONE WRAP
Footy is back and SKOB has started the season on the right note, defeating Uni Blues by 52 points at the King to kick start its premiership defence. Paul Murphy raised the 2017 Premiership Flag prior to the opening bounce and then the SKOB faithful were treated to some first class football, particularly in the second term where SKOB piled on six unanswered goals.
In short, it was a great weekend results wise with seven out of ten teams registering opening round wins (Seniors, Reserves, Thirds Green, U/19 Reserves, U/19 Thirds, Masters, Saints Blue).
Well done to all those that represented the Blue, Green and Gold on the weekend, along with all our coaches, support staff, trainers and volunteers.
GO SKOB
SKOB OFF TO A FLYER
SKOB opened their 2018 campaign with a resounding victory over Uni Blues at TH King on Saturday. The final margin of 52 points was almost a mirror of last year's result and kicks off 2018 in fine style for the new coaches and new President at SKOB.
The first half was a torrid affair with both sides attacking the football with a finals like intensity. Scoring was low in the first quarter as the players threw themselves into each contest with ferocity that was more in tune with September action rather than Round One. By the second term, SKOB were able to draw away with some classy passages that demonstrated their extra fitness and hardness at the contest. They started to get reward for their efforts and goals began to rain in as they asserted themselves on the contest.
The second half was tight as uni Blues came back hard late in the third term. A goal from the boundary on 3/4 time then two more to start the last quarter brought Uni within 4 points of SKOB. At that point SKOB unleashed a fury of attack and put on the next 8 goals in a row to put the game away and to start off 2018 with a bang.
Final Scores: SKOBFC 19.13. 127 def Uni Blues 11.9. 75
Goal Kickers: B. Kanakis 4, J. Holden 3, S. Barnett 2, S. Kennedy 2, C. Matheson 2, M. Brown, M. Romero, H. Parkes, A. Lynch, N. Wood, M. Di Natale
Best Players: T. Jok, S. Critchley, C. Ross, J. Holden, B. Lloyd, L. Merrett
AROUND THE GROUNDS IN PREMIER
Collegians made a huge statement in their Round 1 match-up against De La Salle as they ran out 76-point winners at Harry Trott Oval. Old Trinity kick-started their 2018 campaign under new coach Bernie Dinneen in sensational fashion, defeating Old Xaverians by eight points at Toorak Park.
St Bedes Mentone defeated Old Melburnians by seven points at Brindisi Street. Leading by 35 points at three quarter time, the Tigers were made to work for the win as OMs stormed home with seven goals to two.
Old Brighton held strong in the face of an Old Scotch fourth-quarter comeback to take out the Premier B Grand Final re-match at Brighton Beach Oval by 5 points
MATCH REPORTS
MASTERS OPEN ACCOUNT IN STYLE
The SKOB Masters opened season 2018 with a strong showing at TH King on Sunday in front of a big home crowd. Lots of good performances – particularly by some debutants.
This scribe missed most of the first half due to other commitments – namely watching his precious Tiges for a half at the ‘G (it’s amazing what a Premiership can do to populate the old wagon as they say). In any case, by the time I arrived SKOB had things under control against Narre Warren in very warm conditions at a resplendent TH King.
With no pre-match to report on – and given that Mako and his boom box were absent – I’m assuming it was a quiet but focused team lead out by our man from Queensland – Matty Lucas – who jetted in for the day. There was a healthy crowd looking on – some of whom were enjoying a SKOB chardy on the deck at the King – what else would you want to be doing on a glorious sunny day than be watching a bunch of not so young fellas strutting about whilst sipping on a cool beverage? But enough of that – on with the game.
As mentioned, Narre Warren had come to play, and given that the Magpies had beaten SKOB in their previous meeting and had featured in finals for the past couple of years this game was marked with more danger signs than the rickety fence that surrounds that dodgy electrical grid behind the far goals at the King.
Fear not, as our man from Queensland was in town – and so was the gun show… Not since Saddam Hussein himself had weapons of mass destruction been kept so well hidden than the cannons of Lucas. For his entire career our Matty has worn the long sleeves, but on a 30 degree day the sleeves were off and the guns were on full display. The (shall we say slightly?) robust frame of Lucas was storming out of the centre to provide goals and then pushing forward to score at will in a BOG performance. Not far behind him was the ever reliable Dave “I have the rig worthy of removing my playing jumper at half time and sharing the show” Sheehy who again ran amok, collecting marks and contested possessions at will, and demonstrating that the arrival a fourth nipper to the brood has only increased his tank and appetite for the pill.
Luke “I’m mounting a challenge for the Sheehy mantle” Kalesaren made a welcome return to the SKOB masters and was dominating off the backline. At one point half way through the third term he set off on a journey of Bourke & Wills like proportions, but like the great explorers, he came a cropper when forgetting to bounce the ball and was called back by the officials for covering too much territory.
We welcomed a few debutants to the SKOB Masters and they acquitted themselves masterfully – most notably Adrian Grant who was a maestro in the ruck delivering deft taps like a commuter with a myki card to his mosquito fleet and offering free passage deep into Zone 3 of the SKOB forward line. We had Frank Carlucci (now that’s a name you don’t want to mess with) who was a tower up forward and booted 4 big goals. Also Jesse Seven whose surname is the same as a famous film starring Brad Pitt and Gwyneth Paltrow – but unlike Gwyneth – Jesse didn’t lose his head under pressure and was equally damaging with 4 goals. Speaking of famous names, another debutant, Pete Murray was carving up a wing when someone from the bench enquired – “who is that number 58 again?” “That’s Pete Murray” was the response. “Oh of course – like the famous singer” – to which this correspondent wondered aloud “Why doesn’t anyone say that about the name John Fogarty?” “Perhaps because this is an over 35’s competition – not over 60’s” was the response from one crowd member – most likely Nick “Faith No” Moore who was enjoying the match from the comfort of the stand. Harsh – but fair.
By ¾ time, Coach Ryan was imploring his charges to step on the gas and put the opposition away. The SKOB boys responded and put through a few tasty snags – eventually running out 59 point winners. After playing in such warm conditions, everyone was happy to hear the final bell and to go into the rooms and belt out the song. There were plenty of fans young and old in the rooms after the game and it was a great atmosphere to kick off the 2018 campaign.
Final Scores: SKOBFC 16.9. 105 def Narre Warren 7.4. 46
Goal Kickers: M. Lucas 4, J. Seven 4, F. Carlucci 4, D. Sheehy, M. Stonehouse, A. Grant, R. Short
Best Players: M. Lucas, D. Sheehy, L. Kalesaran, N. Marchesani, P. Murray, B. Marchesani
SAINTS (GOLD) JUST FALL SHORT
SKOB Saints fought hard all day against a determined Xavier and went down by three points.
In front of great local support in beautiful sunshine at T.H King, Xavier started the game stronger scoring three goals to one in the opening quarter. Xavier were first to the football into the forward line with good movement and some strong marking. Ellie McLinden was outstanding in defence. SKOB Saints regrouped well after quarter time and started to get on top during the second quarter. Ali Hynes started to dominate in the middle and Eliza Straford started to win many possessions. Sarah Cameron was looking dangerous and the tackling and pressure of the team really increased. Unfortunately inaccurate kicking saw the team kick 2 goals 5 for the quarter and trail by a point at half time.
The second half was an arm wrestle with neither team refusing to surrender and both defences well on top. Ellie McLinden, Charlotte Stoltz and Bree Doyle were rock solid in defence. A tough third quarter saw the Saints go in at three quarter time trialling by nine points but coming home with the wind. The last quarter was tight and tough. Georgia Cropley who had played well all day put through her third goal and with ten minutes remaining things were looking good. However, despite many forward entries the Saints were unable to find the second goal for the quarter and the Saints just failed to get over a very well drilled and disciplined Xavier.
It was great to see Liz Hodgetts, Lila Flanigan, Heidi Starr and Emma O’Shaughnessy play their first game for the SKOB Saints. Looking forward to Trinity next Saturday.
Final Scores: Xavier 5.5. 35 def SKOB Saints 4.8. 32
Goal Kickers: Geogia Cropley 3, Sarah Cameron 1
Best Players: Georgia Cropley, Ellie McLinden, Bree Doyle, Eliza Straford, Ali Hynes. Sarah Cameron
SKOB SAINTS RESERVES GIVE OLD XAVS THE BLUES
Summer conditions greeted our SKOB Blues on Sunday; featuring multiple first time in SKOB jumper wearers and first AFL game ever girls! There was a level of nerves and excitement not normally seen in the change room pre game.
With mouth guards in and sunscreen applied the game was underway and right from the get go, momentum was with SKOB Blue; the midfield brigade of Gasparini, Lupson and Jones were working well with Barmby winning each hit out. Moore, Crawford and Howard ensured the ball spent most of the quarter in the forward 50, using Bradford as a target and soon after Pattison opened her account kicking her first goal of the game. SKOB 1.0-6 v Old Xavs 0.1-1 at the end of the quarter.
The girls started the second quarter with the same energy – the back-line led by Sennitt and Lowe were being ably assisted by Stephenson, Twigg, Manson and Ting repelling attack after attack from Old Xavs. Crawford increased her work rate in the midfield with Pattison, McIntosh and Hunt adding to the SKOB Blue score line; the girls had earned their applause as they walked off the ground at half time. SKOB 4.4-28 v Old Xavs 0.1-1
Gaffey had put in a solid first half and decided it was time to head off to the MCG to pour pots. Old Xavs came out with an increased energy in the 3rd quarter and the SKOB Blues received their first real challenge of the season. Dohnt moved into the midfield allowing Barmby a chance to rest. Hunt moved to the back-line, bringing her fierce attack on the football and helping stem the momentum from Old Xavs. Wilson ensured the forward line had the same attack on the football, earning a holding the ball call, and calmly kicking the resulting free kick; giving SKOB Blue a much-needed goal. Premiership quarter and Old Xavs challenge over SKOB 5.4-34 v Old Xavs 3.1-19.
Fitness is a key strength of the SKOB Blue and the fourth quarter showed this. Pattison and McIntosh feasted on the midfield service of Lupson, Jones & Co, and Wilson showed her third quarter goal was no fluke adding another goal. Defence remained rock solid thanks to Sennitt and a tackle from Manson that was akin to a lion chasing a gazelle. Inspired by their team mates work the SKOB Blue ran out the game to a comfortable, well-earned entire team contributed 10 goal win – SKOB 13.6-84 v Old Xavs 3.1-19
Goal Kickers: Pattison 6, McIntosh 3, Wilson 2, Hunt, Lupson
Best Players: Pattison, Crawford, Sennitt, Lupson, Jones, Barmby
