Last Round Drama - Senior's stay Second
Well I certainly didn’t see that coming…
An incredible weekend of footy with games featuring SKOB teams decided by 3 points, 1 point, 8 points and 1 point - while across the competition in Premier, all matches ebbed and flowed with big leads hauled in, last minute heroics, teams staying up, then heading down, finals positions shuffling right the way to the finish and at the end of it all - status quo. In the Seniors, SKOB held on to second spot despite going down in a heartbreaker at Brighton Beach Oval, reeling in a 40 point deficit in the third quarter to fall by the merest of margins. Results at Camberwell - where Xavs came late to beat Old Scotch - meant that they would hang on to the double chance. The Reserves won on a goal to Vlad Stevancevic with the last kick of the game in incredible scenes. On Sunday, the Saints Gold came back from a mile behind to storm into the Grand Final - defeating Old Scotch by 8 points. Then in an all time thriller, the Saints Green held on for dear life to claim the Women’s Division 4 Premiership by a point over MCC. What a weekend.
Seniors courageous comeback falls just short
With every game in the final round of Premier having a bearing on either finals positions or relegation - or in some cases both - fans eyes may have been fixed locally, but ears were locked on the broadcaster as they gave constant around the grounds updates, with thumbs busy scrolling the live app to get the latest scores across the comp. At Brighton Beach Oval the equation was simple - win and stay second. Of course when you’re playing the top team who have not lost at home this season, that’s a bit easier said than done. The wind sock was as full as the lunch goers after a tasty spread put on by the locals, and when the home team won the toss and kicked to the favoured end, that simple task was looking tougher by the minute. Not that it seemed to bother SKOB at the start who began with plenty of spirit and determination. The opening exchanges went the way of the visitors who had the temerity to score the first goal into the howler - but that seemed to spark the Redlegs into action. Having held out for 17 minutes, the SKOB defence copped the full might of the Brighton attack as they belted home 6 goals in a row to take a 31 point lead into the first change - ouch!
Now it was SKOB’s turn with the wind at their back and they made a good start, kicking a couple of majors early to eat into the margin, but Brighton play their home ground so well and they responded with two of their own. Tom Jok, back from a few weeks off, booted his second of the term, but again Brighton were able to answer and at the main break, SKOB had made very little inroads into the margin. Trailing by 28 points when they hit the sheds and facing the prospect of Brighton sailing with the spinnaker at full hoist for the next 30 minutes, things were looking bleak for the tricolours. Compounding this, news from Camberwell had Old Scotch slightly ahead on the live ladder, although the Roys were making things interesting, leading Collegians by 22 and keeping hopes of their survival alive. A result for the Brunswick St boys would leave the light on for Xavs, so they had plenty of incentive and could perhaps throw the lifeline back to SKOB. Meanwhile the Bernies were not exactly making life easy for themselves, struggling at home to already relegated OM’s, and over at Uni Oval the students were neck and neck in their local derby.
Back to the Beach and the game was heading in a predictable direction. Two goals to Brighton pushed the margin out to 41 points, and although SKOB responded with a couple, Brighton answered both of these and on 22 minutes the lead was back to 40. It looked all over for SKOB and eyes were now firmly on the live score app, hanging on updates from Camberwell. But Tucker kicked a second for the term, then Tom Jok snagged another one minute later. With a further goal added before the siren, SKOB had reduced the 40 point margin down to 21, and were now coming home with the breeze. The momentum shift was as quick as it was powerful and with the first three goals in the final quarter the margin was down to just three points. The home team had been rocked by the swift and determined fightback from SKOB. The wall went up and it was a slug fest to the finish line. A point to the locals made it 4, but then 3 minor scores to the visitors saw it squeezed to one point. A final attack looked like SKOB had snatched it until a decision went against them and Brighton held on for the win.
Whilst the result looked as though it would consign the Seniors to third spot and a knockout final, news came through from Camberwell that Xavs had kicked two late goals to snatch the game from Scotch and leave SKOB in second spot on the table. It means that the two clubs who had just fought out an incredible last round at Brighton Beach Oval will also face off next week in the Second Semi final. Scotch will play Collegians in the other final after the Lions overcame the brave Roy Boys who couldn’t get the result they craved at Harry Trott. An amazing finish to a very long home and away season and we are not done with yet.
Best for SKOB were Luke Winter, Liam Walters, Andrew Mathieson, Anthony Seaton, Ben Mansfield and Patrick Kerr
Ressies win it at the death
There wasn’t as much on the line in the Reserves game as for the Seniors given that neither team could change their ladder position regardless of the result, but no-one seemed to tell the players that, as they put on an absolute ripper of a contest, separated only by the last kick of the game. SKOB knew they were going to finish top two but also were aware they might face the tonners in the finals, so were keen to put a full effort into this encounter. First use of the breeze went to the visitors and they struggled to make it count on the scoreboard as Brighton were able to match SKOB goal for goal until a late one to Coach Clough’s men gave them a 7 point advantage at first change. The Tonners managed it a bit better in term two, kicking four goals in a row, but SKOB were able to bookend these with two snags to the South Rd end and were in the hunt at the half with just four points deficit to their hosts.
SKOB then made a right meal of it when they had the breeze in the third. Six straight behinds and a return of just 1.7 for the quarter despite having the strengthening gale behind them. To further rub salt in, Brighton scored a late one against the run of play and SKOB went for jelly snakes with a solitary point buffer. Up against it would be a fair assessment of their chances as teams swapped ends for the final time. With nothing really to play for, SKOB could have been excused for going bruise free in the last and saving some petrol for the following week - especially when Brighton kicked one to retake the lead after two minutes - but not these boys. Billy Bryan got on the end of some good play and goaled to put SKOB back in front. A couple of behinds later, Brighton then kicked a goal to snatch back the lead. As the clock looked like running out, Vlad Stevancevic booted one through with seconds remaining to give SKOB the win. Amazing stuff. Best for SKOB on the day were Hamish Reimers, Lachie Merrett, Pat Croagh, James Jaensch, Tom Pirola and Tom Davidson.
Gold go straight to Granny
It was all Saints day on Sunday with the Golds and the Greens in action at Elsternwick Park. First up was the heavyweight showdown between the Saints Gold and Old Scotch Stars in the Second Semi final in Women’s Premier. These two teams have led the way all season and are every tipsters pick to play in the Grand Final, but a win would mean first in, and neither team was looking at taking the long road to the Big Dance. This was the game to make your play. Winning the toss was a good start for the Saints and they had the better of the early going with the wind behind them. They couldn’t land a six pointer though, and were stunned on 15 minutes when Scotchies kicked one into the breeze. At first change SKOB were down by 5 points and looking a little shaky. The Stars stretched their lead in the second but the Saints held up pretty well knowing they had to stay in touch or the game would get away from them. A half time deficit of 12 points was manageable but just before the main break Scotch booted another to make it 18 points.
A three goal deficit when you haven’t kicked one for a half seemed a mountain to climb, but then SKOB went to work. As it was in last year’s Grand Final, the stage was set for Kate Stanton who took the game by the scruff of the neck. Setting one up for Tess Cattle, Kate then kicked the next one to put SKOB right back in the game. A mark and goal to sharpshooter Sarah Cameron put the Saints in front after 16 minutes. They were on fire now and added an important fourth goal when Ash Summers booted one late. The net result of the quarter was a 27 point turnaround, but having just seen what damage could be done with the aid of the breeze Coach Tommy knew they would need a massive effort in the last quarter to get into the Grand Final.
A mark and goal to Sarah Cameron on 7 minutes was a huge boost as it meant SKOB could play controlled football and deny Scotch any easy avenues to score as time was chewed off the clock. The Stars managed to break through on 20 minutes, but by then SKOB had the game in control. Shortly afterwards the siren sounded and the Saints were into the Grand Final. They might well face the same opposition in a fortnight, but will enjoy the week off to rest up and have a huge crack at it in two weeks. Best for the Saints were Annabelle Embelton, Kate Stanton, Lauren Suleiman, Emily Condon, Jessica Joyce and Tess Cattle.
Green Day! Dreamers take the flag
With the dramatic comeback from the Golds in the Semi, all focus was now on the Saints Green as they ran out to play MCC Women’s in the Div 4 Grand Final. Having first use of the breeze was a big help for the Greens but they found a very well set up MCC team tough to break down. With players strategically positioned behind the ball, the MCC were able to intercept the Saints shots on target and repel each SKOB attack. A goal to the Glenhuntly Rd end was a jolt to the Greeners who saw the clock ticking down rapidly and not much to show for it. Jess Mounas then won a free for a push and took little time slamming it through for SKOB’s first goal right on quarter time. A three point lead was then defended superbly by the Saints in the second term - setting up a template to follow in the last. They held MCC goal less with the breeze and took a two point lead at the main break giving them confidence they could repeat this in the second half.
With players returning to the ground through an enthusiastic guard of honour, the game stepped up a notch as the healthy crowd found its voice. The ball went end to end and the MCC team again shocked SKOB by scoring into the breeze. Petra Edwards, sporting a shiner for the ages, then put her own stamp on the game. Firstly taking a strong mark at Centre Half Forward, her shot landed in the goal square where the quick acting Lauren Barnes sharked the pack and snapped through a critical six pointer. Shortly afterwards Edwards kicked to the wing, then followed the kick, intercepted a hand pass and was off to the races. One bounce and then another as she streamed goal wards. The shot was on target until a desperate lunge from the MCC goal keeper detoured the ball through for a behind. Jess Mounas had a long shot drift just wide and as the siren sounded for the last change SKOB held a slender 3 point lead.
With the wind blowing hard to the MCC end in the last quarter it was looking tough for the Saints, but they had held out in the second quarter and had belief. One shot missed and another was rushed through and after 10 minutes SKOB had used up their lifelines - the lead was only a point and still tons of time to play. Then the rain came. It made the ball slippery and it was all about territory. For what seemed like ages, the ball was parked on the far side pocket, with SKOB able to work it to the wing but no further. The MCC couldn’t break the SKOB wall though, and time was ticking. Charley Lupson and Lucy Leckey were incredible as their team mates dug in around them. Ball up after ball up as players wrestled for possession. More minutes ticked by. The countdown clock had long expired as we went into 22 minutes. More ball ups. One last attack launched by the MCC, the ball was rushed out by the SKOB defence. 24 minutes gone and with hearts in mouths and supporters wondering what had happened to the timekeeper, the final siren sounded. SKOB had won by a point.
Petra Edwards was rightly awarded the player of the match and with Charley Lupson, Lucy Leckey, Edenn Baczyk, Jess Mounas, Lauren Barnes and a bunch of happy teammates, were premiership medal winners. Remarkably, only 4 players from the 2022 flag were amongst the Greeners today, with a bunch of new faces - and others like Bella Stephenson who “finally got one” - enjoying the spoils of a thrilling grand final. Congratulations to the Greeners and well done to the MCC team for putting on such a fantastic contest.
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