Slow start sinks SKOB

SKOB Seniors were left to rue a slow start as they went down to Old Brighton by 7 points, going under in yet another thriller between these two teams who are so evenly matched. The tricolours were not able to take full advantage with the breeze in the first quarter and despite turning for home with a 15 point lead, it was not enough as the tonners came with a wet sail in the final quarter to pinch it. Earlier the Ressies were 7 points to the good as the siren went to register a tight win and keep their momentum going. There were wins to the Saints Gold, the Academy, Stingers and our two Under 19 teams. The Saints Blue and Green found better teams on the day, as did the SKOB Dogs who ran into a red hot T's team and copped their first loss of the season. A return of 6 wins from 10 on a beautiful day weatherwise for football.

Tonners get it done in tight one

A glorious sunny day greeted players and fans alike as the late summer like autumn continued for another round of football. Early voters took their vantage positions around the ground as the game attracted a decent sized crowd - appropriate for a highly anticipated match pitting two teams with high hopes for 2025. As is typical of the barometric pattern we’ve all come to know of Beach Oval, the wind was blowing into the pocket at the cricket net end. Not as strong as it can sometimes be, but enough to give an advantage to the team kicking to the right of screen. That team was SKOB in the first quarter, but the visitors did not fully exploit their advantage. Our hosts are so adept at playing their home ground, and they should be, but they put this into practice, landing the first two goals of the game. SKOB really didn’t get going until late in the term and it was Sam Barnett who got things moving, booting two of his own to match the tonners twin strikes, and at first change the scores were just about locked. Given the advantage was at least a three-goaler, SKOB would not have been happy with their tardy start. The hosts could well have made them pay had they not kicked so wildly with it when they had the wind in the second. A return of 1.4 to a solitary point was half due to bad kicking but also half due to some desperate defence from SKOB who stood tall, tackled hard and made the game a real scrap.

As the players headed for the sheds, the fans were hoping things might open up a little more after some respite. SKOB knew that they had to make hay in this quarter, given that they not only had to reel in the 10 point margin, but then to put some padding on the board to give them enough buffer for the final home team charge. Having enjoyed the taste of a goal or two in the first, Sam Barnet dined out again in the third, jailing goals three and then four, before Ben Mansfield broke the monopoly and kicked a long goal himself. SKOB were certainly making the best of the favourable conditions and had now hit the lead. Another to Barnet to make it five and then one deep in time on to Kerr who booted a classic grab-snap from the ruck meant that SKOB hit the last huddle with a 15 point sway in their favour.

By now the fans on the balcony were four sheets to the wind and encouraging their team to do the same - ie hoist the spinnaker and come home with a wet sail. SKOB did their best to lock down the game again and scrap it out, but the tonners kept finding goals at a regular enough pace to erase the deficit and then take a lead. The visitors are made of sterner stuff and were not about to lie down. Walters went on a dash, taking a couple of bounces before his long shot drifted wide of the posts. Running the same direction of the ball and without any thought for his own safety as he charged toward the behind post, Sam Critchley took a wonderful mark then quickly chipped to Tom Ferguson, playing just his second game of senior football. With the balcony pundits giving plenty of advice, Tom calmly slotted the major to put SKOB back in front by a point as the clock ticked into the 24th minute. Hopes of a boilover were still alive until two late free kicks deep in the forward pocket were converted for a goal and a behind, meaning SKOB needed two scores to win with no time on the clock. The home team held on as the siren sounded and recorded a hard fought 7 point win. It was a fair result as Brighton were able to execute just a bit better on the key moments - they were also able to kick three goals to the South Rd end, SKOB only managed one, and that was probably the difference in the game. Coach Lynch and his boys can take a lot out of the game, and having spent three out of the first four weeks on the road will relish the opportunity to get back on home soil next weekend.

Angus Hart had arguably his best game since switching to a full time defender role this season. He was magnificent under siege, particularly in the second term and kept his side in the game for a long time. Jack Andriske was also solid in defence, shoring up a tight backline as SKOB stayed in the game when Brighton threatened to take it away. Cam Hodges had the better of his duel with good mate Harry Hill, and Anthony Seaton again had a solid game. Up forward, Sam Barnet played a sole hand - his 5 goal haul a highlight and he was dangerous all day - whilst Liam "Son of a" Gunson continued his rapid development playing an experienced hand that belies his youth.

Earlier, the Reserves held on for a tight win over Old Brighton. Our man Yanni was there as usual to capture all the action

SKOBs Hold Strong in a Windy Battle

SKOB boys heading into Round Four against Old Brighton were looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season. They arrived excited for a day out at Brighton Beach Oval.

The first quarter began with the sun out and the SKOB boys coming out firing, showing great ball movement and intensity. Jack Romanin gave his on-ballers first use of the ball, making it look like the midfield had it on a string. This led to many scoring opportunities and clearances, closing out the quarter with a 26-point lead.

The second quarter began with the wind picking up, leaving the SKOB boys kicking against it. As a result, the scoring dried up, and the game turned scrappy, with both teams refusing to give any ascendancy to the other. Despite the scrappy affair, the boys maintained their lead thanks to excellent defence. Luke Mazzeo and Tom Davidson were critical, using their speed and running power to create a key goal finished by William Cooper. The solid back six also stood tall when needed.

Coming out of the halftime break, the SKOB boys had the wind at their backs but couldn’t capitalise on the slight yet critical advantage. Despite the ball spending most of the time in the back half, the boys held strong, even as Old Brighton reduced the deficit to single digits. The SKOBs had to adjust their game plan to suit the difficult conditions.

The final term began with the game at its most critical stage. It was clear that whoever won the 50-50 balls and the key one-on-one contests would come out on top and the boys delivered, grinding out a crucial seven-point victory at Brighton Beach Oval.

Best Players:

Jack Ball, Dexter Prime, William Pfeiffer, Oliver Doyle, Jack Byrne, Jack Luscombe.

With a tough second half, not just due to the conditions but also on the scoreboard, the boys were pleased to come away with the four points in an important game of the season

All that glitters is Gold as Saints down the Pies

The Saints Gold had another strong win, this time over West Brunswick at McAlister Oval. The Magpies are always a tough team to topple - especially at home - and SKOB were forced to grind it out at times, but had enough class up forward to finish off their forays more efficiently than their hosts. Again it was Hannah Smith getting the lion's share of the snags - booting 3 of 5 with Isabella Simmons chipping in for a couple as the Saints kept their unbeaten record going for another week. It was the usual suspects Emily Condon, Bree Doyle, Sarah Betts, Zara Guss, Elysia Burvill and "Rolls Royce" Jess Joyce at the pointy end of the player ratings, but contributions came from all members of the Saints brigade who put in a solid team effort over 4 quarters.

The Blues were blown away early by the Maggies who piled it on with the breeze in the first quarter of the early game. Despite a fightback in the second term, the Saints Blues just didn't have enough answers for their very strong opponent. Esther Seymour-Pessah, Remi Fiorentini, Caitlin McDonough, Sienna Vallejo, Rachael Wilson and Kellie Woodhouse were all solid contributors for the Blues who face another tough assignment next week against unbeaten Caulfield.

Greens feel Bullant bite

The Green Machine were right in the game after a tight first half, but the Bullants from Preston piled it on in the third quarter, and despite running the game out well, the Greens had left themselves too big a mountain to climb in the final term. Mathanki Winayakan, Anna Lewis, Edenn Baczyk, Sofia Zielonka and Molly Mclean were all good for the dreamers as was Jaime Tucker who made a terrific debut for SKOB.

Academy sneak past Scotch and Stingers sting, but Dogs cop a T-molition

It was tight at the King as the Academy fell in against a fast finishing Cardinals outfit - determined to did what they did in the 2023 final. “Not today” said a collective Academy crew as they withstood a last minute barrage from the Scotchies to hang on by 4 points and collect a vital win. The big mitts of Josh Willmott proved telling as he booted 4 majors in what was a low scoring encounter. Joey Martin was busy getting his paperwork sorted at the last minute, but if didn’t seem to impact him as he put in a best afield performance. Ably assisted by Daniel Gambell, Nicholas “Action” Jackson, Flynn McCallum, Ethan Boal and Daniel McCarthy, Coach Ollie’s boys did enough to keep themselves on the second perch of the table after a tough day out in the previous round.

The Stingers were at Western Oval in Parkville against the Uni Blacks and they were once again loving a late start, working off their democracy sausage intake with a solid run around the Parkville grasslands. Establishing a solid early break, they had the game well in hand by the half and ran out comfortable winners at the finish. Fintan Evans and James Hill were both sensational - kicking 4 goals apiece and basically giving their opponents the runaround. Other gooduns for the Stingers were Harris Buultjens, Otis Trail, Luca Gambell and Noah Montague.

It was top of the table clash for the SKOB Dogs in Div 4 competition, but they found the T’s too good on the day. After hanging in for a quarter they were blown away by the Trinitonians who had too many guns firing for our young pups to resist. That’s OK, they’ll get another crack next week. Best for the SKOB Dogs were Liam Hepburn, Ronan Smythe, Massimo Marchese, Sam Doyle, Aidan Leiner and Alex Smith

Nothing silly as Prem's top Willy

Our Under 19 Premier boys enjoyed another day out on the serene deck at TH King and proved too slick for a gallant Williamstown in the feature event on Saturday. After a tight first quarter, the hosts stepped up the heat in the second and had the game in control as the players hit the sheds for the long break. Coach Greeny was keen to see more of the same in the second half and although players tired in the warm conditions, SKOB were able to pull away and record a comfortable win. Lucas May booted a bag of five and was well served by the likes of Tom Conlan, Liam Edwards, Johnathon Gambaro, Adam Scira and Matt Redenbach

19 Twos give 'ants the Blues

A seven goal haul from Will Young was the highlight for the Under 19 2's who had a great win on the road against highly fancied Preston Bullants. Despite the early start, the young SKOB outfit were ready from the get go and by half time had the game well in their grasp. It was a tighter second half but SKOB were able to maintain their buffer throughout and walk away with a handy win. Other good performers for SKOB were Harry Rimmer, Joseph Smith, Tom McCarthy, Gianni Iannarella and Hugh Williams