Spills, thrills, 'n heartaches (and a cup)
The agony and the ecstasy were dispensed in equal dosage for SKOB fans who rode the crazy wave of thrilling finals football in two incredible matches at Elsternwick Park on Saturday. A kick after the siren that sailed through for a point was the winning point - the Premiership point - for SKOB Under 19s as their fairytale culminated in the most unlikely of Flags.
Later in the day, SKOB Seniors climbed off the canvas more than once as they threatened to pull off a major finals upset, only for Xavs to deliver the dagger blow on 33 minutes of the final quarter in an epic Preliminary Final. Xavs will go on to play Uni Blues in the A Grade decider, whilst SKOB’s gutsy late season run came to an end.
Agony, oh Agony
A brilliant warm spring day greeted fans for the highly anticipated Preliminary Final clash between two rivals who had taken vastly different paths to this game. Xav’s favouritism was as warm as the weather, with most pundits expecting them to go through comfortably, but they had been forced into making a handful of changes, and SKOB were able to name an unchanged lineup for just the first time all year. A 2:40pm start made for another long break between Reserves finishing and Seniors starting and a clash with the AFL starting at 5:15 might have had an impact on the size of the crowd, which was much smaller than anticipated. A pretty even split in crowd numbers, but not as large as you’d expect (or hope) for these two big clubs on such a day.
It was the Xavs who started brightest. Both teams were hitting the packs hard, but the red n blacks seemed to be moving it better and putting the SKOB defence under pressure. The first goal took a while, but Xavs soon had another and SKOB were looking for some relief on the pressure valve. It came in the form of a brilliant running goal from Liam Gunson who was on the end of a handball chain before running to the paint and slotting it from distance. Xavs again had the momentum and it took a great snap from Billy Bryan to give SKOB a second before Xavs kicked one post siren to go to the first change of ends 14 points up - where it could easily have been twice that. Coach Lynch implored his players to lift the work rate and they did that around the ball, but couldn’t make inroads on the scoreboard. SKOB forays forward were ending in behinds, whilst Xavs were able to land majors, so despite having an equal share of attack, by the time we ticked past 20 minutes, the lead had ballooned out to 5 goals and the game was fast drifting away from SKOB. Finally, Andrew Mathieson landed a long left foot bomb from inside the centre square to edge SKOB closer and then young Archie Dollman put his stamp on proceedings after hauling in a big grab and converting to give some hope as the teams hit the sheds. The margin at that stage was back under 3 goals and despite SKOB being one down on the bench now with Al Richards done for the day, they were hanging in there.
The third term was SKOB’s best as they went to work to put some of the ascendancy they’d gathered onto the scoreboard. Sam Tucker got the first before Archie Dollman bobbed up to kick a miracle goal from an impossible angle and kick start the charge. Tucker then marked in the square and despite his desperate need for pickle juice, was able to kick truly to suddenly make scores even. Somehow, Xavs kicked one completely against the run of play, but Doug Kerr marked strongly to make it even again as the clock ticked towards 3/4 time. Points were traded with both teams squandering late chances, and as they turned for home, it was all tied up and everything to play for. And that’s when this scribe had to leave to get to the G. Ugh.
According to all sources, the final quarter was one for the ages. Both teams had given their all in the warm conditions and as expected the game would open up. Xavs couldn’t convert from their early forays, and Ben Mansfield took full toll, putting one through and SKOB in front for the first time all day. Xavs found a response and the lead was given up again. SKOB regained momentum but couldn’t land a six pointer. Xavs did, but Archie Dollman - playing the game of his life - answered, and there was a point in it. From there it was arm wrestle time before Xavs booted two as we ticked into time on and it looked all over. But this is Elsternwick in September, where quarters go long and deep. A handy point and then Dollman and Gunson kicked back to back goals after 30 minutes. Scores level and extra time looming. With 20 seconds left on the clock it was 83 points apiece with a ball up - exactly the same scenario as a week before. Alas this time there would be no heroics for SKOB, Xavs won the clearance, booted it forward for a mark and goal. Game over and Xavs go through to the Grand Final. SKOB had ridden a wave right to the shore, but it just petered out at the last moment despite their bravest effort. A tremendous season and plenty to offer their supporters as they head off for summer. Youth was on full display throughout the finals series with Archie Dollman and Dougie Kerr in particular showing they were up for it on the big stage. Best for SKOB on the day were Archie Dollman (four goals), Liam Gunson, Sam Tucker, Jack Andriske, Billy Coates and Ben Mansfield.
A point to pinch it
In possibly the greatest fairytale finish to a season, SKOB Under 19 Premier team took out the Premiership with an after the siren behind from James Mikhael. The young man calmly took responsibility to boot the ball through from beyond the paint and send fans behind the goals into a swarming frenzy with team mates swamping Mikhael as his kick sailed through.
It was an unusual journey into the Grand Final for SKOB, but they were not going to let this chance go to waste. Perfect conditions were there for football and Coach Greeny had his team ready for the biggest challenge of all - overcoming a team that had bettered them twice in the last two deciders. Surely SKOB could turn the tables today. Brighton had won two close games through the season in a very even competition, but SKOB knew they were every bit deserving and a chance to claim the prize.
The tonners looked more composed in the early stages and grabbed the advantage when it presented. They jumped out to a two goal lead and were only pegged back by SKOB’s sharpshooting forward Darcy Hepburn. The big man was ready to put his stamp on the Grand Final and he kept his team in the contest as they headed for the first break. Hepburn was again in the action early in the second term and when Jonathan Gambaro broke the Hepburn hold on SKOB scoring, the tricolours were in front and looking strong. But that’s when the tonners stepped things up. Much like their Seniors the week before, they took control of the second quarter and hit SKOB hard, booting three in a row and taking a 12 point lead to the sheds.
James Quinlan got one back for SKOB early in the third, but Brighton were not done with yet. They dominated the next 15 minutes and stretched their lead all the way out to 26 points deep into time on of the third. With SKOB staring down the barrel and their hopes looking dashed they hit back late. Firstly through Gambaro, then on the siren, Nick Nankervis booted another to make the margin a very manageable 14 points as they went for final instructions. The tonners were gettable and the healthy support at the final huddle urged SKOB on for one last effort.
Gambaro struck first, but Brighton answered immediately. Ned Fisher found the big sticks and it was back under 10 points. Then, just as a shootout loomed, the scoring dried right up. Neither team were able to register anything until a miss from Brighton was taken up the other end where Gambaro kicked his third. SKOB now edging ever closer, but only two behinds was their return for all the attacking and when Brighton landed a goal with time running out it looked like a bridge too far - but not for SKOB.
Again they surged. Another point then big Darcy Hepburn booted his fourth and most telling goal in a Best on Ground display. With time almost expired, Ed Burley found the ball on the wing and centred an inch perfect pass for James Mikhael to swallow up and set himself for the kick of destiny. Waking back confidently, the siren alerted all on the ground and in the stands that this would be the last kick of the match. Any score would win it for SKOB, but if it fell short from 50 we would be going to extra time. The kicked sailed wide of the big posts but went far enough to register the score that delivered SKOB an incredible premiership win. Kudos to both teams for such a brilliant display of football - and Brighton still holds a 2-1 lead in deciders - but today would be SKOB’s day. Darcy Hepburn was awarded the medal for BOG and the other best for SKOB were Sam Pitot, Henry Timothee, Alfie Kidman, James Mikhael and Jack Morice
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