The Wait is over - spearhead returns and boots 11

Jarrad Waite has returned to the SKOB side with immediate impact booting 11 goals and helping his team to a big win over De La Salle at TH King this afternoon. The 86 point victory avenged the shock defeat earlier in the season and keeps SKOB within striking distance of a top two spot - even though both of those top two teams won today.

On a cloudy, cool but still day the game opened brightly and it was SKOB who had the better of the early action. Kanakis kept up his stellar run of form and was the first to hit the scoreboard with an early goal before Matthew Arnott making his SKOB senior debut kicked a goal to the raptures of his team mates. The former Tiger has had to wait a while to finally debut and he wasn’t going to waste time making his mark. 

De la are always a competitive beast and they hit back with a goal of their own after ten minutes but as he has done all year, Kanakis returned fire and SKOB had skipped away. Jarrad Waite has spent considerable time on the sidelines, but his return, along with Mitch Brown, was eagerly anticipated and heartily welcomed by the home fans. He rewarded them with a pair of snags late in the quarter although De La were able to sneak one on quarter time as the sides hit the huddle with SKOB up 5.0 to 2.0. Good kicking is good football. 

The aforementioned Brown had first say early in the second term - not content to allow others all the limelight. De La then enjoyed a period of dominance and bounced back into the game as both sides were playing open and attacking styles. Waite put a stop to this momentum, jagging his third for the game and later John Wood extended the SKOB lead. Waite was not finished yet, booting his fourth - and then a fifth goal - all before half time. As the teams headed for the sheds it was SKOB by a sizeable margin.

It didn’t take long for Waite to bring up his half dozen, booting a goal within a minute of the restart after half time. SKOB were well in control when Shaun Kennedy decided to make his own impact on proceedings, booting back to back goals before Waite bobbed up for number 7. Shortly after that it was number 8 and for the home fans it was a question now of how many. Kanakis was fading from attention so he decided to boot another, this time after a beautiful tap from Plugger Lynch in the centre. The service that Plugger was able to give his on ballers today was nothing short of magnificent and it was terrific to see him showing such form - still...

As the teams changed ends for the final time there was not much left to play for as the result was well and truly known. The coaching staff preached for no complacency though in the final quarter and SKOB were able to run it out well. Waite quickly kicked number 9 then 10 when we was found inexplicably alone  near the goal square. After a juggled pack mark, he made it 11 goals to cap a memorable day for him and the supporters. SKOB were well served all day by the returning Mitch Brown and also had Strauss and Phillips to thank, giving plenty of rebound out of defence and providing multiple opportunities from which SKOB were able to profit.

As the siren sounded, Billy Coates who was again dominant, pulled in a strong mark but missed his shot on the siren - not that it affected the scoring too much as SKOB ran out big winners by 86 points

SKOB 20.8.140 De La Salle 8.6.54

Goal Kickers: J.Waite 11, B. Kanakis 4, M . Brown 2, S. Kennedy 2, J. Wood 1, Arnott, Coates Best Players: J. Waite, M Brown, B. Kanakis, C Matheson, E Phillips, M Arnott

In other games, our Reserves and Thirds both had wins to keep their hopes of the double chance alive. Alas, our Saints Blue Women’s team were defeated in the First Semi and are out of the finals - well done to them on a great season nonetheless.

The 1994 Under 19 Premiership Team - still smiling

Earlier in the day, a terrific lunch was held where the 1994 Under 19 Premiership side celebrated their 25th reunion. With over 20 players and coaches from that side in attendance it was a well received occasion. Speeches from coach Hourigan, Grandfather Bowles and Cleo Batchelor Mike Huddo Farquarson kept the entertainment flowing. Well done to Jungle Jim Macey on co-ordinating this great reunion.