Somewhere...

The Under19 Premier team have stormed into the Preliminary Final next weekend with a come from behind defeat over Old Scotch in a thrilling First Semi Final on Saturday night at Elsternwick Park. The win was SKOB's first in finals this year and put a stop to a series of close losses that have ended the season for our Saints Green, Stingers and now Vipers in U19 SD3. The Vipers were unable to overcome Monash Blues in the Preliminary Final on Saturday morning and their year is now done. 

Greeny's shoots fire themselves into Prelim

A dramatic lightning storm arrived right on game time on Saturday as the team's were about to emerge from the shed's. A short delay was announced and the worst of the weather passed on and out to the hills, leaving behind just the stunning backdrop as the game got underway. With a tricky breeze and a slippery ball in play, the skills were tested as both teams applied a typical finals like pressure. Scoring in these conditions was going to be harder than uphill Ice Hockey, and so it proved with the Cardinals the only team able to find a major in the opening term. Slim pickings resumed in term two, although SKOB were at least able to finally get on the board through Pat Harmon who managed to jag one through from distance to finally settle some nerves in the coaching box and up on the hill. Until that point it had been all Old Scotch, but as the teams headed for the sheds at half time, the pendulum was ever so slightly starting to swing the other way.

The third quarter saw the arm wrestle continue as Scotch seemed to find an answer whenever SKOB grabbed back momentum. As the team's hit the final huddle it was the Cardinals by a single major - with everything to play for in the last. Again the team's traded early strikes as SKOB looked to make inroads into the lead as the clock became a factor. The ball was with Tom Egan who converted from a set shot to put SKOB in front for the first time and as the minutes ticked by, they had the ball parked firmly in their forward line with the supporters on SKOB Hill urging them to deal the knockout blow. From a daring kick in, Scotch tried to pinch it, but it was turned over at half back and Kip Merton, playing just his third game at this level, heaved one through to send the crowd into a frenzy. With Scotch now in full attack mode, James Quinlan ran on to a long ball and squeezed home another to the roars from the hill, and SKOB were into a Prelim. A terrific contest from both teams that showcased finals footy at its best. Coach Greeny now shifts his focus to Old Xavs and the Prelim next weekend. The win ensuring that our Seniors will have company on the training track during the week as they prepare for their own knockout final.

Better players for Coach Greeny were Henry Timothee, Ed Burley, Hamish O'Brien, Darcy Hepburn, James Quinlan and Pat Harmon

Not to be for brave Vipers

Heartache for the Under 19 SD3s who gave a good sight in their preliminary final against Monash Blues but found the students too strong in the finish. A bright start from SKOB was looking promisiing as they entered time on in the first with a handy lead, but the Blues rallied late in the term to kick a couple and wrest back momentum and control. Monash took full hold in the second quarter and built again in the third to open up a 37 point lead late in the term before the final change. But SKOB were not done with yet. A late goal before the break gave them hope, then a blistering start to the final term turned that hope to belief as the crowd started to get behind the young SKOBBERS. A clever dribble goal by Charlie McKay, then another long bomb from Hugo Hennessy gave a whiff of a miracle as the Vipers reduced the margin to 12 points with time on the clock. But the Blues managed to score one against the run of play and it was all done. A brave performance from our youngest players, none more so than Jack Hannan, Charlie Callan, Gianni Iannarella, Oliver Schofield, Joshua Martin and Charlie McKay