All SKOB teams return from the bye weekend ready to tuck into the last third of the season with vigour. Some are gearing up to lock in spots for a finals campaign whilst other teams are looking to finish with momentum to take into 2024. Whatever the motivation, there's plenty to play for in the next 6 rounds - see below.
It wasn't a week off for everyone at SKOB with a number of our stars earning a call up to play for the Big V at Elsternwick Park.
Big V News
Two cracking games were held last weekend over the bye with the Men's and Women's Big V teams taking on the combine from the Perth Football League. The Men's Senior game saw the teams level when the final siren went, and overtime was required to separate them. The VAFA squad pulled away in the second period of over time to claim a thrilling win, with SKOB's Luke Winter earning the "Spirit of the Big V" award for his performance (30 touches and 2 goals). In the early game, the women's team - captained by our own Bree Doyle - had a strong win over the PFL. SKOB Saints had 4 representatives in the team with Kate Stanton, Sarah Betts and Molly Simpson joining Bree Doyle in the winning side. Molly Simpson has had a great run of late having recently been promoted to the Hawthorn VFLW side as they made a charge for the finals. Kicking goals in both her games with the Hawks who bowed out in the Elimination final, Molly joined a large list of Saints who have joined VFLW lists this season to further their football journey. Some of whom may be returning to SKOB for the last part of the season.
Braddles inducted as a Champion
A huge accolade for SKOB legend Mark Brady when he was inducted as a Big V Champion yesterday. Braddles joined SKOB in 1993 after a couple of seasons with Old Scotch where he was first selected for the Big V. Despite SKOB residing at the time in D Section, Braddles was an ongoing presence in the Big V lineup until the end of 1997 when he left to work in Sydney, returning in 2004 and helping SKOB into the B Grade grand final.
He was due to play game #100 in that Grand Final until a hamstring injury at training saw him cruelly miss the decider. Braddles pulled on the boots again in 2021 for the Masters to finally reach 100 games. A three time Senior Best and Fairest winner and centerman in the Team of the 90's, Braddles was a key ingredient in helping SKOB rise to A Grade during the late 90's. A true champion of SKOB already, he joins Rob Gross (inducted 2015) as the only SKOB players to have achieved the tremendous honour of being champions of the Big V. Proud parents Ray and Loretta were on hand to celebrate along with former mentors and teammates at the ceremony last Friday. Congrats Braddles.
Coming up this week
As mentioned above we are about to hit the final third of the season and there are some crucial games coming up this weekend. It all starts on Friday night with not one but two of our Under 19 teams coming out to play under the lights. The Premier boys are at Brindisi St in Mentone to take on St Bedes, whilst the Div 2's are at Packer Park to play Old McKinnon/Glen Eira. On Saturday the Men's Seniors return to TH King after a decent road trip and welcome an old foe in Uni Blues for a huge encounter that pits 2nd and 4th on the ladder with massive implications hedging on the result. The Reserves precede that encounter with a game against Uni Blues whilst the Academy also play the Blues, starting at 9.20am. Our Div 4 Under 19's are at Southern Reserve in Mentone to play St Bedes on Saturday and the Saints Green Machine play West Brunswick at Righetti at noon. The Women's Gold and Blue are at Piranha Park in Coburg on Sunday with the Lions desperate to win to keep their finals chances alive and the Saints keen to keep the heat on ladder leaders Kew. Should be a ripper. Finally on Sunday at 3:00pm, the mighty Masters take on De La Salle for the Molan Cup. Get along and support SKOB wherever and whenever you can.
A special note we will be keeping TH King open Saturday night for the Port vs Pies game on the big screen. Bar open etc. All players, partners and supporters welcome.
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