The weekend’s action proved SKOB are still the team to beat after they dismantled Old Brighton to the tune of 83 points at TH King Oval. The Tonners entered the match undefeated after a dream opening five rounds but their physicality and relentlessness on the ball carrier did little to affect the reigning premiers as SKOB piled on 14 goals to one in the opening three quarters. After 11 behinds from their first 12 scoring shots, the Tonners straightened up with 4.5 in the last but their total of 46 was almost 50 points less than their season average (93.4) heading into the game. Mitch Brown continued his elite form across the ground, while Anthony Lynch’s pre-season prediction of Billy Kanakis’ breakout year continued to prove true as the SKOB forward booted another four goals and took his season tally to 21 – equal-first with Matt Handley (OX).
Overall, it was an up and down round for the Club, the Seniors, Reserves and Thirds Gold the only sides to record wins. Our SKOB Saints found the going tough in their respective clashes whilst our 19's just haven't been able to string it together for four quarters.
The Reserves moved into the top four with its commanding 78 point win over Old Brighton. Luke Sabato, Pat McNamara and Liam Mahoney SKOB's best. In the battle of SKOB in the Premier Thirds, it was the Gold side that led from start to run out 39 point winners. A five goal to two final term capping off a fine performance from SKOB's most experienced thirds side.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
Last week was a good one for SKOB. On field results were mixed across the club but off field – the results were spectacular.
Thursday night at TH King was a huge night. The tremendous gesture by the Seniors to swap training venues with the Thirds saw the Seniors run down the track to Basil Reserve, train and return for the normal pasta dinner. The Thirds trained at TH and were in “poll position” for their dinner, joining the Saints and Seniors for one of our biggest turnouts for the year.
Saturday saw the Annual Ladies Lunch – sponsored by Stockland Tooronga at TH King. Tremendously organised by Lisa Ginies with assistance from Kate Rahilly, Kate Di Natale, Michelle Murphy and Bree Lynch. The lunch was great celebration of women at SKOB. We highlighted the Volunteers, Mothers, Partners, Sisters and Players who have added so much to our club. Unequivocally, the mere presence of all these women has enhanced the club significantly.
We were fortunate enough to have Megan Dwyer (VAFA Board member) and Shona MacIness (Manager of Women’s Football at the VAFA) as our guests. Some Q&A with Shona was interesting and insightful on a range of levels. The lunch then took an interesting turn when John “Curly’ Allen took the microphone to belt out a few songs. Elvis and Sinatra were prominent early and, as the audience warmed up there was a palpable sense that Curly was about to run some classic Tom Jones material …. It was only the pre entertainment warning that the club could not tolerate the throwing of women’s undergarments in the general direction of the “stage” that (we suspect) shut down this option.
Finally, thanks to our Stockland Volunteer of the Week – Greg Critchley. Critch won the award for his assistance in organising water each week this year for the Seniors. He was a standout last week against Old Scotch as he was quite possibly the best dressed water boy in VAFA history!! Assisting Critch has been a range of people this year.
Special thanks to Matt Sweeney who backs up straight from school sport for SKC to assist the Seniors.
The other great highlight on Saturday was the unfurling of the Premier Thirds 2017 flag prior to the local derby (Gold v Green) game at TH King.
Players, coaches, assistants and supporters were on hand to see the flag rise. Congratulations to all involved in that great success. (see report below)
AROUND THE GROUNDS IN PREMIER
Three goals in the back half of the second quarter proved the difference as Collegians defeated Old Trinity by 19 points at Daley Oval. The Lions are now just one of two unbeaten teams alongside SKOB, while the T’s sit 4-2 in fourth spot on the ladder.
De La Salle got their season back on track with a comprehensive 91-point victory over St Bedes/Mentone Tigers at Waverly Oval. De La move to 2-4 as they ended a three-game losing streak.
University Blues registered their second win for the season as they outlasted Old Scotch to the tune of 15 points at Camberwell Sports Ground. It was another close loss for the Cardinals as they slump to 0-6 in 10th spot on the ladder.
Eight goals to three in the opening half helped Old Melburnians to their third win of the season, defeating Old Xaverians by 17 points at Elsternwick Park.
MATCH REPORTS
SKOB Blue review
It was an early start for the Saints Blue team v Caulfield and it is fair to say judging by the yawns and breakfast being consumed in the rooms pre-match – our girls aren’t used to an early start on Saturday.
Our energy levels in the first quarter defied those earlier yawns as the Saints matched Caulfield for intensity, we were unlucky not to score a goal early, when Pattison soccered off the ground for the first point of the day. Wilson’s run forward was a standout highlight for the quarter. Caulfield moved the ball forward effectively and were putting the backline, who also double as a law firm Manson, Gaffey & Atkins, under pressure and we finished the quarter a goal down. SKOB Saints 0.1 -1 v Caulfield 1.2 – 8.
After the quarter time break our forwards renewed their efforts, lead by Sennitt, who was having a brilliant game, Ward, Wilson and Dohnt were all working hard in support. Contaxis and Flannigan were winning every hit out at the ruck contests, with midfield of Jones, Howard, Lupson and Gasparini working hard to win the ball at ground level. Unfortunately for all the possession the Saints had; we couldn’t move it forward effectively, and Caulfield kicked multiple unanswered goals. SKOB Saints 0.1 -1 v Caulfield 4.5 – 29, with the score line not reflecting the contest. The half time break also confirmed injuries would force Twigg and Atkins from any further part in the game.
The Saints had a focus of protecting the ball in the third quarter and successfully recorded their first goal for a month as Pattison kicked truly. Hunt had taken it upon herself to lead by example in the third quarter and Sennit, Johnson and Hume were ably assisting in providing a great source to goal and keeping the ball in the forward 50. Defenders Ward, Croagh and Dhont were taking the lead from Barmby who was a dominant Centre Half Back. Ting’s run down the wing was helping move the ball forward with purpose. Three quarter time SKOB Saints 1.1 – 7 v Caulfield 6.7 – 43
The last quarter began with McIntosh and Bradford working hard to keep the ball in the forward area for the Saints – Catsidimis and Hume worked well in the midfield as Flannigan and Contaxis continued to win the ruck contests. As the quarter went on, the Saints started to fade as the reduced bench and big oval took its toll on energy levels. End score was Saints 1.1 – 7 v Caulfield 12.12 – 84.
The score certainly not reflective of the effort from the girls, who for many are still under 5 games of footy for their entire lives!
Final Scores: Caulfield 12.12. 84 def SKOB Saints Blue 1.1.7
Best Players: Sennitt, Gaffey, Barmby, Hunt, Johnson & Flannigan Goal Kicker : Pattison
Gold glistens as Flag is Raised
Our Thirds Gold team celebrated their 2017 Premiership by unfurling the flag prior to the game and then going on to defeat SKOB Green in this most puzzling of fixtures that pits St.Kevins versus St.Kevins.
In a brief ceremony prior to the bounce, the two teams lined up and the 2017 Premiership flag was raised to plenty of cheers from the small but vocal band of supporters that turned up at 9:20 on a Saturday morning. President Michael Doble (wearing a cap that read "One Team / One Dream") addressed the two teams before they launched into a battle that was played in good spirit, with SKOB gold proving just a bit stronger on the day.
Troy McMaster was best on ground for the gold team, whilst "Huey" Lewis was the News out of the Green team as best player for them.
St Kevins OB Green 8.1-49
St Kevins OB Gold 13.10-88
ST KEVINS OB GREEN
Goal Kickers: L. Loschiavo, W. Borcoski, L. Briscoe-Hough, W. Sist, J. Gale, A. Favaloro, J. Spencer, D. Xaiz Best Players: H. Lewis, J. Langton, L. Loschiavo, A. Favaloro, P. Santamaria, D. Xaiz
ST KEVINS OB GOLD
Goal Kickers: W. Stoitse 3, A. Brady 2, E. Ring 2, J. White 2, L. McDonell, T. McDonald, T. McMaster, M. Spence Best Players: T. McMaster, M. Shanahan, L. McDonell, W. Stoitse, M. Nolan, S. Doyle
Under 19 Premier Reserve
1st quarter: St Kevin's one the toss and kicked with the breeze. St Bernard's attacked from the get go, as SKOB were unable to take advantage of the wind at their backs. The backs stood tall, only conceding 3 majors as the nowdogs peppered the forward 50. Doug Conlin, who came up from the 3rds, was the standout in defence. St Kevin's were lucky to only be down by 19 points going into the 2nd.
SKOB 0-1-1 St Bernard's 3-2-20
2nd quarter: It was St Bernard's who had the breeze in the second term. Holding the snowdogs to two goals was a tremendous effort. The St Kevin's midfield worked tirelessly in both defence and attack, limiting the effectiveness of Bernard's forward forays. SKOB went into the break 29 points down, knowing they hadn't produced anywhere near their best football.
SKOB 1-3-9 St Bernard's 5-8-38
3rd quarter: After a big rev up at half time St Kevin's came out breathing fire, kicking the first three goals of the term. Briggs was instrumental kicking two within two minutes to get the team up and going. The sides run and carry was a key feature of the quarter, along with its forward press. Everything seemed to be going St Kevin's way, SKOB's young chargers taking a 5 point lead at the final break.
SKOB 6-10-46 St Bernard's 6-5-41
4th quarter: Unfortunately St Kevin's weren't able to bring the same momentum into the last quarter, were the game started being a real tussle but Bernards were able to get a 4 goal lead with the wind and St Kevins worked hard to keep them within 2 but running against the wind was just too much for St Kevins. Charlie Wells playing a huge part in the forward line giving options when our tall forward went down injured. St Kevins ended up losing by 3 goals.
Final Scores: St Bernard's 10-13-73 def SKOB 7-5-47
