A best on ground performance by Sam Tucker helped SKOB Seniors to a great come from behind win over reigning premiers Collegians at Harry Trott Oval on Saturday. The Ressies held on in a nail biter in the earlier game, whilst across the street at Ross Gregory the Saints Gold flexed their muscles in a powerful performance over the Lions whilst the Saints Blue found the purple army a bit too good on the day. At TH King it was honors shared with Old Scotch as the Academy went down in a close one but the Stingers got the chocolates. Elsewhere on Saturday we saw the 19 2's claim their first win for Krusher and Jacko, and the Green Dream reign supreme over Elsternwick. The round finished off on Sunday with the 19's Premier coasting to a big win at Caulfield whilst the 19 3's found their hosts too strong.
Trott finally tamed
The Harry hoodoo has been overcome in emphatic fashion as SKOB won for the first time since 2019 at the venue that has not been a happy hunting ground for the Senior Men. In the process, SKOB played party pooper to their hosts who were unfurling the premiership flag they had so convincingly won against the same opposition in 2023. As was mentioned in the preview though, there were many changes to both lineups from the previous year's decider to this weekend. With the ceremony of the flag unfurling out of the way, the players got down to business. Keen to get off to a good start, SKOB did just that, holding their opponents goalless in the opening term, whilst sneaking away to a handy lead at the first change. Collegians were always going to respond and they did this in spades in the second quarter, upping the pressure and piling on the pain as they edged ahead at the main break.
The third quarter was looking like much of the same as the hosts extended their lead to 15 points half way through. From then on it was all SKOB as the visitors began to lift around the contests and got some reward for their efforts on the scoreboard as players started to split the middle of the sticks - having been a bit wayward in the opening half.
Keeping the momentum going into the final period, SKOB were again a little off with their kicking, but with sheer weight of possession and time in their front half they were able to nail a couple of majors and register a terrific win. The backline was able to repel any threatening advances and kept the goal umps calicos in the holster at their end.
For a second weekend, fans and players alike were bathed in glorious sunshine and the football on display was first class. The visiting supporters were rewarded with a terrific contest and a first rate performance by SKOB - none better than Sam Tucker, Liam Walters, Bill Coates, Angus Hart, Jack Andriske and Rob Larcher
Whilst great to break the Harry Trott hoodoo SKOB have another tough assignment on the road next week as they venture out to the Snakepit to meet St Bernards who are back in the top flight and showing they are more than competitive in their two outings to date.
 Ressies notch first win of the season.
Our man on the ground Yanni was at the Trott to compile his report:
"SKOB’s reserves showed up eager to even the ledger at Harry Trott Oval, the boys having one main goal in mind; Getting more physical in the contest.
The first quarter was a scrappy affair as both teams vied for the early scoring lead. The ball was magnetized to the far side of the field which led to minimal scoring opportunities. Despite this, goals from Daniel Aplin and Thomas Williams left the boys optimistic by the quarter-time break.
The SKOB’s boys looked to take advantage of the scoring end in the second quarter as they held most of the possession and had the footy in the forward half entries. Despite the two-goal lead and the forward half dominance, the boys felt they didn’t take full advantage of their overall dominance.
After the halftime break, the boys picked up with all the momentum they had gathered from the second quarter as the game turned scrappy once more. The back six held up strong, pushing out the pressure from the opposing team as they slowed down the pace of the game, keeping their two-goal lead.
The final turn heated up as the boys pushed for the four points as the game intensified. The boys found themselves on the back foot as scoring opportunities dried up. The backline was prominent as they stood up to maintain the boys' position on the scoreboard.
The boys left very happy and ecstatic to get their first win of the year as there’s a lot to look forward to this season.
Best Players: Tom Pirola, Tom Davidson, Flynn Clark, Cooper Chaffey, Luke Mazzeo, and Daniel Aplin.
At TH King, the Academy team were fast out of the blocks against Old Scotch and looked to be set for their first win of the season. A lapse in the second term saw the visitors bite back at hit the sheds with a ten point lead. Coach Ollie's boys threw everything at the contest in the second half but were unable to bridge the gap and went down by 7 points. Best for the Academy were Jack Romanin, Joshua Peake, Liam Foo, Jack Liszukiewicz, Matthew Canning and Michael Naughton
In the early game at the King, the Stingers stretched clear after a close first term, building their lead throughout the day and going on to a big 71 point win over Old Scotch. The Will brothers seem to have the secret sauce at the moment and are getting the best out of their big squad - none more so than Jack Rawlings, Zach Close, William Pearce, Jesse Battistella, Hugo Read and Julian Chaffey.
Gold get going to tame the Lions
Just across the road in Albert Park, the Saints Gold and Blue were also up against Collegians. In the main game, the Saints Gold burst out of the blocks and had three goals to zip at the first change. The lions came out roaring in the second stanza and fought their way back into the match to leave the game tightly poised at the main change. Blessed with key forwards Kate Stanton, Sarah Cameron and Hannah Smith, SKOB had too much firepower. The three pronged attack kicked two goals each and after another 3 goals to zip third term, the Saints had the game sewn up.
Coach Tommy was happy to leave this tricky assignment with all 4 premiership points. Aside from the aforementioned forwards, SKOB were best served by evergreen Bree Doyle, Zara Guss and Isobel Upfal
For the Blues, it was another great effort against much stronger opposition. The Saints couldn't get much going in the first half but stayed in the hunt, and after a very good third quarter they were right in it at the final change. Alas, they came up short in the final term but found the best out of Mischa Beaconsfield (once again best for the Blues), Poppy Somerville, Dom Garcia, Lauren Barnes, Alex Bland and Eliza Doble
Gee it doesn't take much for Rich Lewis to find his coaching boots again. Coming out of a very brief "retirement" to step in for a week in charge of the Green Machine, he got the Saints clicking from the get go as they recorded a comfortable win over Elsternwick. Posing for the post-game selfie in the sunshine, the dreamers looked like very happy campers with the result. Best players for the Greens were Genevieve Holden, Georgina McEwen, Charley Lupson, Jessica Mounas, Isabella Caldera and Anna Lewis.
Sunday specials propel 19's to big win at the Heath
The under 19 Premier team bounced back from the disappointment of last week with a big win on Sunday over Caulfield. Up forward, the three pronged attack of Zane Greenham (6 goals), Jack Luscombe (5) and Nick Dynan (4) were unstoppable as they ran riot in the second half - piling on 9 snags in a big last quarter. Zane (son of Paul) Greenham was best afield with Sam Jones, Jackson O’Malley, Oscar White and Conor Lynch all dominant. A great response from the entire team was just the tonic for the coaching staff this week. The 19 2's broke through for their first win of the system, delivering Coaches Krusher and Jacko a huge result with their big win over Mazenod at Central Reserve. After a tight first half, SKOB put the throttle down in the third and ran right away with it in the final term. A nine goal to one second half a measure of the visitor's dominance. It was a big result for the 2's and they'll take great confidence from this week going forward. Best for SKOB were Liam Hepburn, Noah Spiteri, James Hunt, Mark O'Mahony, Thomas Batchelor and Hudson Lefoe. Finally, on Sunday the 19 3's battled hard early but couldn't keep pace with Caulfield in the second half and went down by a sizeable margin that didn't reflect their tireless efforts. In a division that pits them mostly against 2nds teams, the 3's are giving their all each week and had Tom Devine, Luke Farmelo, Lachlan Manning, Nicholas Woolrich, Will Hearn and Will Horn in the best this round.
With thanks to VAFA and Sarah Withers for the snaps this week
