SKOB get the better of OX and make it 3 from 3

SKOB players line up for pre-game ANZAC ceremony

From the President

Thanks again to all the fabulous volunteers who helped all 231 players who put on the club jumper last weekend actually get a game. (As an aside, including the Masters - 275 have now played over the first 3 rounds). However, without back up ("Club") umpires games can be legitimately cancelled and points forfeited. We are occasionally called upon by the VAFA to provide these umpires. Thanks to Life Member Brendan "Gator" Millar for offering his services in this regard. Along with Committeeman Steve Browne we only have two umpire volunteers and do not have enough. Please reach out if you can help in this regard. Also, team's who do not provide a boundary umpire require a player to throw the ball back in. This of course means that at every throw in on that team's designated boundary - they are a player short. Not a good recipe if you want to win a clearance! Help win a clearance and offer to boundary umpire when you can.!!

Thanks to Greg Critchley for assistance running water to the Seniors. Critch saw the need to help and generously volunteered to do this job throughout the year.

Thanks also to the slow, old, red head boundary umpire who did the Thirds Gold game on the weekend.... better to get to the ball late than not at all!!

Language. Can I remind all supporters, players and coaches that we have to abide by the VAFA Code of Conduct. This specifies that swearing is not tolerated. It can result in a send off for a player or a fine for the club. Apart from anything, with women and children around our club it is just respectful to avoid swearing.

Finally, thanks to Old Xavs for being a generous and entertaining host for the many SKOB's who attended the lunch and post game drinks last weekend. We look forward to the return game and reciprocating on June 16.

Michael Doble

President & washed up Boundary Umpire!

Round Three Summary

SKOB Seniors, Masters and Thirds (Gold) flew the flag for the Club in a disappointing weekend result wise for the Club. Billy Kanakis stole the show in the Seniors big win over Old Xavs with six majors whilst the Thirds Gold secured its first win for the season, leading from start to finish to defeat OM's.

Our Saints sides fought bravely, the Saints Gold and Blue sides going down to the all conquering Marcellin.

The Masters continued its terrific start to the season defeating Box Hill North by 32 points. Matty Lucas booting four for the victors. The Master sit atop of the Central Supers ladder equal with Point Cook Football Club with two wins.

A big weekend of football coming up with SKOB facing the also undefeated Old Trinity at the King. We encourgae all SKOBBERS to get along and support the boys. A reminder Whitey's Burgers are back on Saturday, that's worth attending alone!

GO SKOB.

SKOB get the better of OX and make it 3 from 3

SKOB remain undefeated and at the top of the VAFA Premier competition after defeating Old Xaverians. Six goals from Billy Kanakis helped St Kevin’s OB to their third win on the trot, defeating Old Xaverians by 38 points at Toorak Park. SKOB led by eight points at quarter time but created an unassailable buffer when they kicked six goals to one in the second term. Both sides netted six each after half time.

Kanakis was unstoppable and took his season tally to 12 goals from three games, while Tom Jok, Conor Ross and Sam Barnett each played leading roles.

Conditions were once again the complete opposite of the week before and in perfect sunshine both teams came out of the blocks fast. Old Xavs playing on their home deck had the first on the board but St.Kevins responded with the next 3 before Xavs bookended the quarter with their second goal giving SKOB an 8 point advantage at quarter time. Xavs again scored the opening goal in the next term but it was all SKOB after that as they piled on the next 6 to extend their advantage to 37 points at half time.

The third quarter saw a very even affair with both sides enjoying periods of ascendancy although it was Xavs that finished the stronger kicking the last two goals of the term and setting up a big finish.

In the final term SKOB were able to steady and with timely goals to Wood and Kanakis - who was literally on fire today kicking 6 goals in a BOG performance - were always in control although Xavs kept pushing them right to the finish.

In the end SKOB ran out winners by 38 points 101 to 63. A result that means SKOB go three from three in season 2018.

Final Scores:

SKOB 15.11.101 def Old Xaverians 9.9.63

Goal Kickers: B. Kanakis 6, N. Reeves 2, T. Jok 2, N. Wood 2, S. Barnett, G. Gleeson, M. Romero Best Players: B. Kanakis, T. Jok, C. Ross, S. Barnett, S. Critchley, M. Romero

Around the Grounds in Premier

Old Melburnians registered their first win of 2018 with a thrilling five-point victory over University Blues at Uni Oval. Trailing by 19 points at three quarter time, OMs ignited in the fourth with five goals to one to close out the winless Blues.

Old Brighton’s unbeaten run to start the season continued in emphatic fashion, defeating De La Salle by 59 points in a blowout at Brighton Beach Oval.

Old Trinity also continued their unbeaten run as they held off St Bedes/Mentone Tigers for a seven-point victory at Daley Oval.

Collegians were made to work for the four points against a gallant Old Scotch, running out seven-point winners at Wesley College. The Cardinals are yet to open their account in 2018 but haven’t been defeated by more than 13 points in any of their three losses.

Match Reports

SKOB Saints GOLD

The Saints looked forward to the game against this year’s front runners Marcellin. The first quarter saw hard contested football with a lot of numbers around the ball and some tough physical clashes. Hynes , Straford and Doyle were working hard in the midfield to be breaking even in the stoppages. Marcellin were able to control the quarter with their strong rebound from defence and with constant forward 50metre entries were able to score two late goals in the quarter.

The second quarter saw a similar style of pattern of play emerging with the strength of the Marcellin midfield gaining plenty of 50 metre entries and their strong defence making it difficult for us to score. McLinden and Gleeson led our defence but good team play saw Marcellin manage to kick another three goals. A great contested mark by Sarah Cameron saw the Saints kick their first goal for the quarter and despite playing good contested football the team went into the main break four goals down.

The character and leadership of the Saints came to the fore in the second half. O’Shaughnessy, Doyle and Hynes began to get on top in the middle of the ground. Gleeson, Gillet, Stoltz, McLinden were terrific down back and the forward line began to function a lot better putting on a lot more forward line pressure and being able to lock in more of the play in the front half. Cameron began to dominate her position and Minahan was giving us a strong target up forward. A strong overhead mark and goal by Minahan saw the Saints trail by 18 points and playing with a lot of momentum and confidence. Despite a dominant quarter each team kicked one major each for the term.

The Saints continued to rally in the last quarter. Gleeson was marking everything in defence and Cameron who had worked hard all day kicked her second goal that saw the Saints again narrow the deficit. Despite the better ball movement and number of forward entries the Marcellin defence stood firm and saw them run out convincing 28 point winners.

The Saints were brave and courageous and will continue to work out to improve our ball movement and create more scoring opportunities. The competition is fierce and our next game we face the VFL team Melbourne University and we look forward to the challenge.

Marcellin 7.5 47 def SKOB 3.1. 19

Goal Kickers: Sarah Cameron 2, Sarah Minahan 1

Best Players: Margaret Gleeson, Bree Doyle, Ali Hynes, Sophie Straford, Sarah Cameron, Ellie McLinden, Liz Hodgetts

SAINTS BLUE: So wake me up when it’s all over…

The sad passing of Avicii on Friday night played havoc with the Blues preparation as we were all troubled working out how to replace the Swedish master on our playlists. Marcellin must be country music fans and cared not about the great Tim Bergling - jumping us early in the game to rampage to a commanding lead. Once we got into the rhythm of the game, we started getting a lot more of the ball and took it up to them in the second half, stemming the bleeding and giving a very good account of ourselves. Leo shut down their Plugger and Kit Manson stood strong in the last line of defence as the Blues starting to get their mojo back with run off the backline care of Abs and Chloe. Our mids were stoic and battled hard all day led by AJ and Luppo and we gave everyone a go at different spots on the ground to learn how we play in different roles. For many of the Blues this was the second game they have ever played and so kudos for having a crack at what at times can be a confusing and bizarre game for new players.

All in all a tough day for music and Saints Footy but we will learn lessons from both losses – David Guetta will be revisited by many in their Spotify feed and our footy is better each time we run out in the tricolours. As we head into Round 4 we are improving exponentially and in the words of the great man – we are feeling our way through the darkness, guided by a beating heart – I can’t tell where the journey will end but I know where to start!

Final Scores: Marcellin 17.18.120 Saints 0.0.0

Go Saints.

SKOB MASTERS 2018 – ROUND 2 MATCH REPORT

by David ‘Mako’ Makohon

A peach of a day presenting itself for the SKOB Masters to continue their early season momentum and bring some free flowing footy out at Elgar Park. John Fogarty was unavailable due to Credence Clearwater Revival tribute band duties, but the Fortunate son had ensured his scribe duties were passed onto Mako. Some new and old faces were reunited for this game with Wayne ‘Rock’ Cornell, Pete ‘Des and Troy Gun Show’ Scarfo and Matt ‘Maff’ Shannon making their debuts for the Masters creating a strong team unit ready to take on Box Hill North.

John Murray was ready to support Frank “Get your valuables” Marca and the big talking point pre-game was whether half time cordial was lime (John’s choice) v orange (Frank).

The Grand Master Lucas was in town for this Sunday matinee and in the first quarter SKOB did not disappoint with a great start out of the blocks kicking the first three. The forward line was looking irresistible as Frank ‘The Tank’ Carlucci flexing those pythons and creating havoc allowing Matty to mop up and kick a couple of early sausage rolls. Pete ‘Muzz’ Murray was creating a buzz and doing as he likes on the forward flank and getting some great delivery from the Marca brethren, who were all over it like Scarfo on a bicep curl. The team was gelling well and getting plenty of drive out of the backline from Luke ‘Kala’ Kalesaran and Adee Grantee to create a number of chances which we were converting. SKOB went into the first break leading by four goals.

The second quarter saw the emergence of some young pup named Tom Simpson, apparently the kid can play. The crowd was treated to some great work out of the guts with Ray ‘Shorty’ Short’s tap work leading to vintage Simpson bursts out of the guts. Rigatoni Sheehy was pulling out the dukes saving a few opposition surges as SKOB were getting beaten around the contests and allowing Box Hill back into the game. Highlights for the quarter were some brutal contests from Rock Cornell who was showing some Gippsland Power and toughness. Jesse Seven Heaven was providing a good focal point up forward and kicked our only goal for the quarter, whilst Chris ‘Morls’ Morley was hitting the packs hard and low as is his go. SKOB lowered our colours with some questionable turnovers resulting in goals for the home team. Our lack of voice being apparent from the sidelines for Coach Rock and the siren for the main break sounded with SKOB’s lead down to two goals. Coach Rock’s direct words ready to spark up the troops and rev them up for a second half onslaught.

Frank Marca pulled rank with orange cordial at the break and the fluids got their desired result with SKOB busting out of the second half like Patty Mount on a Halal Snack Pack on Sydney Road.

SKOB run and carry was cutting up the turf like Chich at underage Chasers.

The midfield was on top and pin pointing the strong leads from Jesse and Benny Altis. It was a hammy strain off with Pete Muzz undoing his great candy work on the flank with a shot to the back of the leg. This was matched with Scarfo’s huge guns obviously placing too much pressure on the legs and he was out for the day too. The backline bandits staved off a few late thrusts with some handy work from Adee Grantee and Wayne’s run turning defence into attack and some nice finishes from Aussie Puopolo Nick Marca. Tommy Simpson’s banana from the boundary put the cream on the quarter cake with 5 goals for SKOB and some Grand Master Lucas hangers lighting up the crowd. Heading into the last change increased their lead to 4 goals.

Coach Rock swung around a few magnets to cover some of the strings and see if we could finish off the home team and silence their yap. Chopper started the last with some quality marking around the ground and the backline was holding up well with Strauss Defence House and Patty blocking off the opposition’s scoring options. Spud Ireland was burning up the wings with his renowned dash, whilst Ben and Nick Marca were consistently winning the ball in the stoppages and driving us forward. Box Hill were threatening a comeback and in a big moment for the quarter Maff Shannon trotted his way down the half forward flank picked up a loose ball, turned on a dial and hoofed it through the big sticks to stop their momentum. Afterwards Grand Master Lucas continued to bash and crash his way through the forward line as well as throw a few barbs back to the opposition. It was a great even contribution from the lads and we ran out 5 goal winners. Due to the fixture machinations of Supers we will be back at Elgar Park next round to do it all again. Looking forward to it Masters Legends!

Scores SKOB MASTERS 6.2 7.5 12.7 15.10.100 BOX HILL NORTH 2.1 5.3 8.4 10.8.68

Goal Kickers: Matthieu Lucas 4, Frank Carlucci 3, Jesse Seven 2, Nick Marchesani 2, Ben Altis, Peter Murray, Matt Shannon & Tom Simpson Best Players: Tom Simpson, Matthieu Lucas, Wayne Cornell, Matt Shannon, Ben Marchesani, Nick Marchesani, Adrian Grant

UPCOMING EVENTS

WHITEY BURGERS ARE BACK AT THE KING THIS WEEK! Saturday April 28th: SKOB v Old Trinity - TH King 12pm This week SKOB Seniors are back at TH King taking on Old Trinity in a game that pits two undefeated teams in the competition against each other. It should be a ripper.

Come along for a casual pre-game lunch. Entry is $20 and for that you get a Whitey burger and a couple of drinks. Get along and sign up as a Weeping Willow member if you haven't already.