And we are off

Overall SKOB had a good start to season 2025, picking up 7 wins from 9 outings, but the one they craved most got away as the Seniors went down to a fast starting Old Scotch at Camberwell. The reigning premiers were sharp early, and SKOB’s radar was a little awry as they failed to make the most of their opportunities. A late rally in the last quarter got them close, but not close enough.

Elsewhere there were wins for the Ressie’s, our three thirds teams (Academy, Stingers and SKOB Dogs), Saints Gold and Green and the Under 19 Premier boys in a very promising opening round.

Premiers prevail as SKOB radar goes awry

The sun was out on a cool autumn day as the Senior Men’s team ran out at Camberwell. A big day for the hosts who were unfurling their Premier A Grade flag from 2024 - their first since 1978. SKOB rolled out a home grown 22 point outfit against the reigning champs with debuts for Jack Mahoney (back from the AFL), Conor Lynch (up from last year’s Under 19s) and Jack Romanin (who jumped from a Premiership with the Academy in his last match of 2024 - straight into the Seniors). A decent crowd were on hand and they witnessed a slick Scotch outfit jump out of the blocks, looking every bit as good as their Premiership selves. SKOB had plenty of chances in the early going, but fluffed their lines in front of the big sticks, returning just a solitary major from half a dozen pings at the posts. A sixteen point start to the home team extended out to 26 at the half as SKOB failed to make any inroads. Sam Barnett on his return from a northerly sojourn was providing a spark up forward for SKOB and around the ground the competition was even. Up forward, Scotch had too many options and were better with their conversion.

The task ahead was looking challenging enough as the teams hit the sheds for the major break, and a return of 1.5, once again to the grandstand end, really didn’t help the cause for the visitors. The margin blew out to about 41 points before SKOB started to get their game going. Booting the last before the final change, they at least carried some momentum into the final quarter. Pat Kerr then got going - kicking the first two - followed by Eliot Mahoney who grabbed his second for the game. Half way through the final term, SKOB had narrowed the gap to 14 points, and a remarkable comeback win was suddenly on the cards. Scotch responded, but Jack Darmody kept things interesting with a goal on 23 minutes. Alas, the Cards found another gear - and another goal - and that was it. Sam Critchley landed a long consolation bomb to reduce the margin to 14 points at the finish, but Scotch were worthy winners on the day. A decent effort against the competition benchmark, and plenty of positives - if not the points - for Coach Lynch to take into next week. Battling manfully as an undersized ruck, Cal Jones put in a lion hearted effort, ably supported by Cam Hodges, Luke Winter, Liam Gunson, Sam Barnett and Anthony Seaton.

Next week, a home game against old rivals Xavs, who had a day out against De La. Another challenge awaits.

Second half surge secures it for Ressies

A strong performance from the Reserves, saw them triumph over Old Scotch in the undercard. After a tight first half, SKOB lifted the tempo in term three booting four goals to one to run out winners by six clicks at the final siren. Our man on the ground Yanni was there to capture all the action in his weekly report

Footy’s Back and SKOBs Reserve’s Mean Business

SKOB footy is back! The SKOBs reserves kicked off their 2025 campaign against Old Scotch, looking to right the wrongs of last year's preliminary finals.

The SKOB boys came out on the back foot but quickly settled after the first five minutes. They took control of the midfield battle by dominating the clearances, and the backline stood strong with some quality intercepts. The ball moved end to end, and despite SKOBs looking better to the eye, the boys ended the first quarter down by a couple of points.

The second quarter saw SKOBs come out with great intensity. Their ball pressure was excellent as they continued to assert their dominance in the midfield. They looked more clinical in the forward half, moving the ball well and getting physical in the contest. The boys dominated all aspects of the game but were left wanting more after registering thirteen scoring shots in the quarter.

In coach Clough’s halftime address, he pleaded with his troops to slow the game down and create more breathing room on the scoreboard. And they delivered. The boys took care of the ball, enjoyed the majority of possession, and produced a highly efficient scoring quarter—snagging four goals from just five forward entries.

The final term began with the SKOB boys maintaining control of the game’s pace and extending the lead with another three goals. Knowing they had the lead, they managed the clock smartly and closed out a sweet thirty-six-point first-round victory.

The boys now look ahead to a massive opening home game clash at TH King against their bitter rivals next week.

Some top end talent shone through for Coach Clough, none more so than Tom Ferguson, Hudson Lefoe, Seb Duffy, Rob Larcher, Jack Ball and Ben Mansfield.

Ten year festivities turn to triumph

The Saints celebrated their 10th season of SKOB football in emphatic fashion with a monster win over a clearly understrength Melbourne Uni at Righetti on Saturday. It was a big occasion for the Saints Gold, with many foundation players on hand to witness (and in some cases still be playing) for the mighty SKOB. The MUGARS tried hard but were no match for the Saints who had all their guns firing - none more so than Hannah Smith (9) and Kate Stanton (8) who booted an astonishing 17 goals between them. Officials were racing for the record books as the two sharpshooters put on a goal-kicking exhibition. Lucy Watkin stepped out against her former team, wearing the colours her dad John Watkin (the Cat) wore so well as SKOB captain, and even managed to score a goal at Righetti. Others to star for the Gold were Molly Wilson, Emily Condon, Bree Doyle and Bella Rees

Dreamers dream

It was a dream day for the Green Machine as they unfurled the 2024 Premiership Flag - won in thrilling fashion - prior to their match with Fitzroy. Coach Mikayla was all smiles after the game as her team pulled away in the second half to win comfortably at the finish. Liz Macey and Petra Edwards did the damage up forward with a pair of twins each, whilst the better players for the dreamers were Natsai Kanhutu, Petra Edwards, Lucy Leckey, Charlotte Lupson, Gabriela Happell and Kellie Woodhouse

Third times a charm

It was three for three in the Thirds comp as SKOB registered wins for the Academy, the Stingers and our new hounds, the SKOB Dogs. At TH King, the Academy unveiled their 2024 flag before shaking off a determined Old Brighton. A strong first half did the tonners in as they were unable to match their hosts. A more even second half ensued, but by then the Academy had the game well in hand. Speaking of hand, there were nearly a handful of Mulcahy’s running out there with no less than 3 of them in the mix. And I hear there might even be a fourth on the way. Best for the Academy were James Ritchie, Joshua Willmott, Sam Mulcahy, Flynn McCallum, Patrick Croagh and Michael Naughton. Over the bridge in Newport, the Stingers saluted over Willy CY’s. Leading comfortably at the half, the Stingers doubled their output in the third and fourth to run out 52 point winners. Lachie Haig, Hamish Serpell, Noah Montague, James Hill, Jean-Paul O’Shannassy and Fintan Evans were the better performers. Burwood Reserve was the venue for the much anticipated debut of the SKOB Dogs (you’ll remember where you were then…). They didn’t disappoint their legion of fans, shooting out of the blocks with a dozen first half majors, and following up with another 10 to boot. Big bad Ben Griffin has shaken off his coaching boots and starred with half a dozen, whilst Oli Garlick claimed a handful himself. Others to star for the Dogs in a real team effort were Billy Branagan, Lachie Groves, Sam Doyle and Ben Mahony.

Premier 19s start strong - 2's go down fighting

Coach Paul Greenham had his Premier boys tuned to perfection as they stormed to a 91 point win over De La Salle in the main game at TH King. A 5.7 to zip opening term set the scene, and although Greeny would have preferred a better conversion rate, he could be no more pleased with his team’s opening salvo for season 2025. The young SKOb outfit registered 18 scoring shots in each half, a woeful 6 goal return in the first half was sharpened to 12 goals from the same number in the second. Much better. Plenty of support on hand for the first game of the season in the unders and our thanks go out to all the supporters who helped out on the day. For the Premier team the better players were Angus Phillips, Nick Nankervis, Dexter Prime, Ben Palmer, Ged Saunders and Noah Spiteri. In the earlier match, our 19 2’s just couldn’t quite match it with Old Trinity. With only a point the difference at the final change it was anyone’s game, but the visitors had a bit more petrol to spare in the final quarter and ran out with the win. A promising start for our 19 2’s nonetheless - well served by Hugh Williams, Daniel Deguara, Mark O'Mahony, Jacob McMillan, Brandon Soetanto and Jacob Choi.