Slick second stanza seals it

A ten minute 4 goal blast from SKOB to start the second quarter put a winning gap on De La and from there the Seniors pushed out to a commanding 74 point win at the Dairy Bell on Saturday. In the process, SKOB regained the Anthony Molan Cup on a significant day for both Clubs. Earlier, the Reserves proved too strong for the young De La home team as they cruised to a 66 point win. Over at Old Rigret, the injury hit Saints Gold stood up in the 3rd term and held on in the last to hold out the Roys and stay top of the table. The Blues were outclassed by their Roy opponents, whilst the Greens found the Maggies too strong at McAlister. At TH King it was a thriller in the Under 19 Premier match. Both teams turned level at 3/4 time and in an absolute grind, the visitors - Old Brighton - kicked the only goal to take the points. Better news for our 19 2’s who came from behind to beat Old Ivanhoe and leap into the top four. In Thirds competition our Academy and Stingers both came a cropper against the arch rival but better news for the SKOB Dogs who were too tenacious for the Lions of Collegia.

Cup Secured at the Bell

It was a battle for the Molan Cup at Waverley Oval with the main game preceded by a packed lunch in the De La pavilion as supporters of both clubs mingled in a jovial manner, fitting for a great occasion. The family roots run deep through SKOB and De La, and what a thrill it was to be able to once again compete for the Cup on the main stage. After a solemn and nicely conducted service for Anzac Day, the teams took the field for a delayed 2:15 start. De La struck first before Pat Kerr found himself alone to open his account - the first of a solid six pack. Goals traded before SKOB snared the last two of the term to take that lead to the first change.

Looking to stamp their authority on the contest, SKOB raced out of the blocks in the second term and made their decisive move. Four goals before the clock ticked 9 minutes suddenly made the margin 36 points and the game was well in their control. The visitors would go on to add six goals to zip in stanza two and by the half the lead was a neat 50 points.

Things evened up a bit more in the second half, but pleasingly for the coaching staff, SKOB were still able to extend their lead out, winning each of the last two quarters by half the total of the first two to run out the final margin of 74 points and bag the Molan Cup in the process.

With a triple threat of talls up forward in Kerr (6 goals) and Critchley (4) and Jones (3) providing great targets, SKOB had too much marking power for their hosts. The big men were kept fed via great service from the likes of Seaton, Richards, Barnet and Hodges, whilst Tom Ferguson on debut looked right at home at this level, winning lots of ball and providing damaging service. Playing his best game in the Senior's to date, ruckman Hamish Reimers gave his on-ballers first use of the ball and they dined out on the quality delivery with clearance king Luke Winter at his bull dozing best.

Next Saturday sees SKOB venture to Brighton for a monster clash with the league leaders.

Best for SKOB: Patrick Kerr, Anthony Seaton, Tom Ferguson, Hamish Reimers, Cam Hodges, Sam Barnett

Chris and Fran Molan with the Molan Cup and the competing coaches Nick Hyland and Plugger Lynch

The Ressies bounced back from a previous round defeat with a good win over their hosts. As always, our man on the ground Yanni was there to capture all the action:

Ten-Goal Triumph: SKOBs Outclass De La Salle

Coming off the bye, the SKOBs boys arrived rejuvenated, looking to get back on the winners list this ANZAC Day round against De La Salle.

The boys came out full of energy and vigour, and it translated onto the scoreboard. Their dominance and physicality kept the ball in the forward half, and any attempt to move the ball elsewhere was quickly snuffed out by the back six, who managed to keep De La Salle scoreless for the entire first quarter.

The boys continued on their merry way in the second quarter, stretching their lead by a further three goals. At this stage, the ball seemed to be living in their forward half, thanks to a strong midfield group giving the SKOBs boys first dibs at the footy, while the back six continued to look impenetrable as they kept De La Salle to a solitary point at half-time.

During his half-time address, Coach Clough urged his players to fill their boots and push the lead beyond the ten-goal margin — and the boys delivered. It seemed like everyone was getting in on the goal-scoring action, with almost half the team notching a goal to their name.

The game slowed down in the final term, but despite this, the boys secured the win with their ten-goal lead intact. It was such an important day for the club and the team, and we look forward to our next clash with Old Brighton at Brighton Beach Oval.

Best for SKOB: Xavier Duke, William Pfeiffer, Sam Milne, Sebastian Duffy, Tom Davidson, Thomas Feehan

Alias Smith and Joyce - Saints have the answers

The injury hit Saints Gold stood up to a mighty challenge from the Roys at Rigret. With a number of players coming in to the team, Coach Tommy's chargers had no Easter hangover, as the newcomers slotted nicely into the system that Tommy has developed over many a season at Rigret. Setting the pace early, the Saints always had the game firmly in their grasp. Although missing regular sharp shooting partner Kate Stanton, Hannah Smith was happy to take the extra responsibility, booting 80% of the team's score, including a couple of goals in the third term to give SKOB a break they would not relinquish. Elysia Burvill has graduated to the Saints Gold team in 2025 and is playing some great football. The Saints kept their spot atop the Premier ladder as they set the early pace in the comp.

Best for SKOB: Elysia Burvill, Belinda Woolcock, Hannah Smith, Bree Doyle, Jessica Joyce, Charity Russell

Our Saints Blue ran into a very strong Fitzroy opponent who had too many winners for the Blues to cover across the park. In her 50th game for SKOB over an injury ravaged career, Remi Fiorentini played a great game for the Saints - as did Lucy Kehoe, Kellie Woodhouse, Petra Edwards, Esther Seymour-Pessah and Zoe Kritikides

The Green Machine were a big light on, having pushed a few players up to the Blues, and despite never giving in, were outclassed by the Maggies at McAlister

Best for SKOB: Holly Cook, Edenn Baczyk, Mathanki Winayakan, Genevieve Holden, Milly Rolleston, Anna Lewis

Xavs exact revenge

Our Academy ran into a very angry Old Xavs team - looking for retribution for their loss to SKOB in the 2024 decider. The home team put their foot down early and the Academy lads never really got going in the early game at Toorak Park.

Best for the Academy: Maxime Demathieu, Harry Mulcahy, Jacob Smith, Nicholas Jackson, Daniel Gambell, Seb Nogara

It was a battle of the O'Shannassy's at TH King, with the Claret and Stout cousins getting the bragging rights for the next family BBQ. After a tight first half, Xavs took control in the third term, and despite a late fightback in the last, SKOB couldn't reel in the margin. The Stingers still put in a pretty good performance against a team expected to be at the pointy end of the table this season, and there was plenty to take out of the game.

Stingers Best: Lachie Haig, Fintan Evans, Oliver Phillips, Zach Close, Xander Dietze, Luca Gambell

SKOB Dogs tame the Lions

The hounds from the pound jumped out early on Saturday morning and by the main break had the game in their keeping. Another strong performance from the Dogs who remain unbeaten, but face a stern test with league leaders Old Trinity their next opponent. Big bad Ben Griffin bagged another handful whilst Josh Bayley, Liam Hepburn, Aidan Leiner, Alexander Smith and Finn Clements were all handy hounds.

Time runs out in a tight one for Prem - 19 2's great comeback win!

An unfortunate injury to an Old Brighton player in the final quarter of a tense battle at the King saw the visitors in front when the game was called off. Our thoughts go out to the Brighton player and we wish him a full and speedy recovery. The result was right in the balance as it had been all day with two teams at the top of their game. Tied as they turned for home, SKOB were left to rue some wayward kicking for goal early in the game that may have cost them the points. Coming this close to the league leaders, Coach Grenny and his players will be able to take plenty out of the match and roll into next week with plenty of momentum.

Best for SKOB Premier: Johnathon Gambaro, Tom Bromhead, Samuel Pitot, Ged Saunders, Angus Phillips, Ben Cantwell

In the early match, the 19 2's had a fantastic come from behind win against the highly fancied Old Ivanhoe. Outclassed early, the young SKOBBERS showed great tenacity to hang in the contest and as players tired late, the fitness of SKOB was telling as they ran out the game the better - hanging on by 6 points in a thrilling finish.

Best for SKOB 19 2's: Francis Mancini, James Kerr, Jacob McMillan, Joseph Smith, Luke Lyons, Luke Arthur