Schooley Dooley!
- Admin
- Jun 30
- 8 min read

Schoolies celebrations took on a new meaning for SKOB on Saturday with a big win for the Seniors over a depleted St Bernard’s in our annual game at the College. Past Player’s Day coincided with the battle for the JOC O’Connor Cup, and it was the home team who took the silverware on a big day for the club. The three matches on Oval #1 were all taken by SKOB with the Academy, Reserves and the Seniors all saluting over the Snowdogs. On Oval #2 honours were shared with the Saints Gold powering past the West Brunswick Magpies after the Maggie’s had toppled the Saints Blues in the curtain raiser. An historic day with men’s and women’s teams playing side by side on the college ovals in glorious sunshine with big crowds watching on both.

Down the line at TH King it was a clean sweep with the SKOB dogs, the 19 2s and then the Stingers all chalking up big wins. Our two teams on the road didn’t fare quite as well. The 19 Premier played a mighty game against undefeated Old Brighton and came up just short, while over at Caulfield, the Greeners found the fielders too strong. All up it was a solid return of 7 from 10 for the club on a very satisfying weekend.
Barn sides safe, as shoddy shooting doesn't sink SKOB
A healthy and happy crowd was still navigating their way down the winding road from lunch in the KC Smith Hall as the ball was bounced to open proceedings in the main game on Oval number 1. It was a bit eerie quiet with plenty of action happening out on the two fields but not too many actually around to see it. It mattered not for SKOB who had a big job to do - get the win over the Snowdogs who came into the match just two points adrift on a tightly packed mid section of the Premier Grade table. Whispers were abounding about the strength of the visiting team being impacted by injury that forced them to make a number of changes for this match, but the home team could only worry about their own lineup and with the extra incentive of playing on the old school oval, the hosts were confident of putting on a good showing (once the crowd arrived…). Cam Hodges wasn’t waiting around as he snapped the opener after a nice intercept. SKOB had all the early momentum, and moments later, Sam Barnett stuck a mitt out and plucked a nonchalant one handed grab. He made no mistake with the set shot and when Sam Critchley marked on the line and converted, SKOB were making early inroads into a big score. The first quarter would turn out to be quite profitable for SKOB as they used the slight wind advantage to forge a decent lead at the break. It could have been a little more had they not missed a few gettable shots, whereas St Bernards made the most of their forays forward, kicking a couple to the Wilding Centre end.
By quarter time, the lunchtime crowd had finally settled in to their vantage points, soaking up the sunshine and continuing their convivial banter as they watched on. With the Saints game in full swing on Oval 2 there was a real carnival like atmosphere, but with the aid of the breeze the Bernie’s were looking to spoil the party by kicking three goals to one and reducing the margin to just 16 points as the players headed for the sheds and the hot dog stand started doing some solid business. Again SKOB had been wasteful in front of the sticks, missing a number of chances to put the game to bed. Just a solitary goal from 7 scoring shots had the 2015 Premiership reunion party in conniptions as they witnessed a conversion rate that hadn’t really seem to have advanced in 10 years. It didn’t improve too much after the main break either as SKOB went 2.6 from their wealth of forward half dominance, but importantly they had reduced the scoring rate of the Bernies who were now starting to look like the weight of injury was taking its toll. It’s worth mentioning Sam Cameron’s brilliant snap from the pavilion side pocket half way through the quarter. A shot that sailed high on the fading breeze but was urged through on the collective will of the balcony crowd. Kerr added his first for the day and at the final huddle, SKOB looked like they had the game well in hand - despite their return of 8.19 to that point.
With a final gee up from the coach and a few other stragglers who had made their way out to the huddle, SKOB put the foot down in the last quarter and ran all over a tiring Bernie’s outfit who had expired all their petrol tickets by this stage. Liam “Son of a” Gunson twice hit Critchley on the lead. Once with a left foot dart and the other with his favoured right, to give SKOB two early goals and dispense any thought of a late fade out from the home side. Finishing with all the running, SKOB finally managed to put a few through the big sticks and extend the margin out to 68 points at the finish. In the process retaining the JOC O’Connor Cup and sending all the fans - whose focus had faded from the field and was now firmly fixed on the post match festivities - happily home. Best for SKOB were Liam Gunson, Cam Hodges, Tom Ferguson, Jack Mahony, Angus Phillips and George Delimitrou

Ressies take the Zane train
In the early game our Reserves hopped on board the Zane train, as the speedy Greeny saluted six times on his way to a best on Ground performance. With plenty of help from Sam Jones, Oli Doyle, Lachie Merrett, Patty Croagh, Tom Burley and Gus "Subs" McQuie, the Reserves got the job done for Coach Clough, although it took a four quarter effort to hold out the Bernie's who never gave in. With our intrepid traveller Yanni heading to Europe, there's no match report this round, but I'm sure he'll be following on closely as next week the twos play Old Brighton with second spot on offer as prize for the victor.
That will be huge.

Golden days for Saints, but Blues just run out of juice.
What a moment for the Saints and for SKOB to see the Premier Women's and Reserves playing side by side with the Men's teams at the College on the weekend. The Saints Gold were powered home on the back of a big crowd support in a strong second half that saw them shake off a determined West Brunswick Magpies team. The atmosphere was fantastic all day, and celebrations for 3 x 50 gamers at the end of the match were in full swing by the time the senior men's game was done on Oval number 1. An important win for Coach Tommy's team as they chase down the leaders in Premier. Best for the Gold were Belinda Woolcock, Bree Doyle, Mischa Beaconsfield, Emily Condon, Holly Kenealy and Elysia Burvill.

The Blues flew out of the blocks against the Maggies, opening up a big lead at the first change of ends. The Mags slowly worked their way back into the game and had their noses in front at the final break. The Saints rallied but were not able to reel in their opponents who took the chocolates in the early game. Maggie McDonough, Lucy Kehoe, Sarah Cameron, Gen Holden, Lucy Leckey and Caroline Straford were all handy players for the Blues.

Dial M for Mulcahy
It was a case of how many Mulcahy's can you muster? - with the answer being 4, as a quartet of the clan answered the call up for the Academy in their big win over St Bernards in the day's opening contest. Coach Ollie was sporting a big grin post match with his team of Academy boys all giving a consistent crack over the four quarters.

So consistent in fact, that their second half return of 7.8 to 2.2, was almost exactly the same as the first half - 7.8 to 2.1. Talk about getting your ducks in a row! The even 100 point total at the end a fitting sign of their streamlined effort. Best for the Academy - apart from the family Mulcahy of course - were Daniel McCarthy, Michael Naughton, Mamuch Chuol, Arthur Nguyen, Justin Willmott and Jumping James Ritchie

The King is the thing

Not all of the action was at the College this weekend as we hosted three games at TH King, and it was a trifecta for SKOB with the Stingers, SKOB Dogs and U19 2s who all saluted comfortably in their matches. The Stingers were ruthless against Uni Blacks. Coming off a couple of losses they were ready to fire by the time the ball bounced at 2:00pm and by quarter time it was all over. The Blacks lifted in the second, but SKOB put the foot down after that and ran out 125 point winners. Tommy Briggs bagged a lazy 7 for the Stingers and Jimmy Hill snagged 4. Both were great contributors on the day, as were Xander Dietze, Oli Phillips, Anthony Parente and Tom Sheehan.

The SKOB Dogs got things rolling at the King with a thumping of Ormond in the day's opener. Tight at quarter time, the hounds kicked six majors to one in each quarter after then to rattle home by 113. Five goals to Nick Dynan and four to Gussy Rolleston with Patrick Jones, Lachie Groves, Ronan Smythe, Massimo Marchese and Aiden Posterino all featuring in the best players for the SKOB Dogs.
Joeys juniors jump OX
The under 19 2's bounced back from their shock loss last week to Oakleigh with a solid win over the Claret and Stout. Despite some wayward kicking that resembled the SKOB Senior Men's team (perhaps Coach Joey can get together with Coach Lynch and organise some joint goal kicking practice this week), the young SKOBBERS were too good on the day. Joe Noonan starred, booting 3 goals in a best afield effort. He was helped along by Zach Ibrahim, Ned Fisher, Joseph Smith, Hugo Baker and Henry Pearce

Dreamer's Nightmare
A tough day at the office for the Green Machine, who might have been a bit light on for troops with holidays causing havoc. The dreamers fought it right out as always and were best served by Jaime Tucker, Mathanki Winayakan, Charley Lupson, Sophie Stevens-Williamson, Sofia Zielonka and Kate Shannon

Premier come up short but live to fight another day
It was a real match of the round in Under 19 Premier with the top two teams in the comp battling it out at Brighton Beach Oval. Both sides were compromised in terms of player availability and the club secretaries of each club had their hands full all week with last minute registrations. It didn't take anything away from the quality of the match which was top notch, and after starting slowly, SKOB hit the front at 3/4 time after a big third term. That effort might have taken its toll as the young SKOBBERS were unable to finish off the job in the last - a couple of injuries were critical to their chances. Brighton worthy winners on the day but you can rest assured that these teams will meet again later in the season.

Pat Harmon, Liam Edwards, Edward Burley, Samuel Bearder, Johnathon Gambaro and Dante Tomarchio were all fine contributors for SKOB.
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