Starting with the best news first, the Academy are premiers after overcoming Old Xavs in an absolute thriller. The Green Machine are into the Granny with a win in the Second Semi. The 19s Premier have secured the double chance in a Round 18 playoff with uni Blues and the Ressies had a comfortable win to stay on track for top two. It was heartbreak for the Stingers who almost pulled off the upset of the season, going down by four points to the unbeaten Old Xavs. Saturday saw the Seniors suffer a disappointing loss to Uni Blacks and surrender second spot for now. Our Saints Gold dropped their first game of the season and handed top spot to Old Scotch. Finals hopes were dashed for the Blues, after a loss to Old Scotch in Premier Women's Reserves. The Div 2's and Div 4's finished out their respective seasons with fighting efforts in the last game of the year. The Club went 4 for 10 over the weekend - with one cup.
Premiers!...Academy wins dramatic grand final
If ever there was a crazy game of football - this was it. Insane weather that went from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again. Footy played in near darkness one minute and glorious sunshine the next. A dramatic break for lightning - twice. Teams changing ends and hitting the sheds and huddles more times than you could count. The final margin under a single kick and an upset premier taking home the trophy - it had it all.
Running on to the park minutes after their clubmates nearly pulled off a miracle win in the Div 1 decider - going under in heartbreaking circumstances - the Academy might have believed that the gods were against them, but given the manner in which their Stinger mates had served it right up to the favourite and nearly toppled them, they also may have believed they could actually get it done.
Xavs had plenty of the early play in their half but weren't able to translate this dominance on the scoreboard. Two late goals in the first term saw SKOB go to the huddle with a one point margin. The claret and stout men jumped away again at the start of term two, but a nice pass from Willmott to Canning that resulted in a steady set shot kept SKOB in the hunt. Canning booted another running snap but Xavs were able to respond each time and went to the sheds with a slight advantage. It was all to play for in the second half - but the dark clouds were hovering.
Joey Martin kicked a ripper at the 5 minute mark of the third term as rain began to fall. the wind dropped and the footy got slippery - it was going to be a real slog to the finish line. Canning booted his third to put SKOB in front in the grand final but Xavs responded in the fading light to reclaim the lead. A near miss to Harry Mulcahy put SKOB a point behind and then a fabulous rebound from the backline by Sam Doyle ended in a clunking mark to DMac. The big fella calmly slotted it as the Academy once again claimed the lead. Enter the drama...
Just as the ball was taken back to the centre the umpires called the game off for lightning. Teams headed for the sheds to wait it out. Officials were busy officiating to work out what the scenario was if the game could not continue. As it stood, the team in front would be awarded the game. Surely, this was no way to win a Premiership?
Fortunately the skies cleared - then they didn't. Back to the sheds. A few minutes later, back to the ground. Amazingly the third quarter still had a minute or so to go. The game continued, then a quick change for 3/4 time. With the clock now well past 5:00, the final term began and SKOB scored the first of a few handy points. A miracle snap out of the pack from Ollie Doyle made the margin 13 with 8 minutes gone. Again Xavs found an answer at the 13 minute mark to reduce the margin to 7. Then followed 3 behinds to SKOB as they tried but could not land the final dagger. The door was ajar and then on 23 mins Xavs snagged one from the boundary - 4 points in it. How much time left? Not enough for Xavs and too much for SKOB. The ball went end to end, then Xavs had one last shot. It was marked on the line and cleared by SKOB who ran the ball to the other end of the ground. A free awarded for a hold with the siren sounding seconds later - SKOB were home.
It was a tremendous contest - two contests really. Both Grand Finals decided by less than a kick with each club claiming a win. This one super sweet for the Academy. They'll party hard.
BEST: Jack Romanin, Matthew Canning, Harris Carlin, Oliver Doyle, Andrew Butler and Jack Liszukiewicz
Heartbreak for the Stingers as they come up agonisignly short
It doesn’t get more heartbreaking than a four point loss in a grand final when you are steaming home on the breeze and the siren is the only thing that beats you. The Stingers gave their absolute all against Old Xavs who had not been beaten all season.
Grand finals are different beasts and the Will Brothers knew that if you’re in it, then you can win it. The game started in warm and windy conditions out at Whitefriars and Skob started well. They outplayed their more favored opponent in the first term and with goals to veteran Caldow and to Julian Chaffey they hit the first huddle with a 3 point lead. It was a real arm wrestle in the second period with a great goal to Xander Dietz being a highlight for the underdogs. Xavs replied to give themselves the lead by 6 points at the main break.
The third term is the premiership quarter and Xavs struck first, but that man Ricky Caldow responded and when Dietz kicked another great running goal there was only a point in it. Two in quick succession by the claret and stouts as they took their chances created a gap, but a brilliant tackle and smooth finish by Chaffey brought skob a goal closer.
Into the last term with Xavs up by two goals which became three after just a few minutes. It looked like SKOB would just roll over but they showed they are made of sterner stuff and dug deep. Caldow marked and goaled and shortly after booted his fourth. The sprightly 42 year old who became a life member this year when he passed the 200 game mark was dragging the stingers over the line. Could they get there? A terrific goal saving tackle from Haig rescued the game for SKOB. with the ball heading into their forward line it looked like they might pinch it but the siren sounded to break hearts - but not the spirit of this fantastic team that gave everything in the finish and almost pulled off the upset of the year in Thirds Div 1. Congratulations to Old Xavs and commiserations to the Stingers who were brave to the end.
Black and Blue
It was the broadcast game from Uni Oval on Saturday, and with the ground bathed in early spring sunshine, there was plenty of anticipation for a classic contest ahead. Blacks came into the game with good form on the back of two wins, whereas SKOB were looking to gain back some touch having had a week to freshen up. The opening exchanges promised a shoot out as Blacks booted two then SKOB replied with two of their own, all before 10 minutes had elapsed. An entertaining first term saw the home side lead by seven points at the change before SKOB got their game going in the second quarter, booting three in a row and skipping out to a 12 point advantage. Sam Tucker and Eliot Mahoney were giving headaches for the Uni defence and providing good targets up forward. The lead was reeled in to just 4 points by the main break, but SKOB were able to kick clear again just after teams resumed for the second half.
The game turned in the middle of the third quarter, just after Eliot Mahoney’s fine goal had given the visitor’s a handy 11 point buffer. SKOB won it from the centre and had possession in attack when a scuffle occurred back in the centre of the ground. A free kick and then a 50, which took Blacks to the square for a certain goal, flipped the momentum back to the home side and they finished the quarter with a further two goals to take the lead into the last.
With so much to play for in the final term, SKOB got away to a good start, with Jack Darmody kicking a goal from a tight angle to wrestle back the lead. The Blacks won it back shortly afterward, then held out for a long period as scoring dried up completely. A terrific mark and then goal gave the home team a buffer going in to time on and it looked difficult from this point. Blacks had their defence set up to repel and resist the SKOB advances, although there were a couple of chances late to steal the game that went wide of the mark. Uni were able to hold on in the end and all but secure their tenure in Premier for another season. Kudos to them on the victory - which is their third in a row - but for SKOB this was a bitter blow.
And so for the second year in succession, SKOB have gone 0-2 at the Uni Oval. All four of these matches have been decided by less than 10 points and in all games St Kevins have had more scoring shots. What is it about this venue that proves to be such a hoodoo for SKOB? Second spot on the ladder has now been ceded to Scotch, and although they can regain it with two rounds to go, it’s now dependant on the Cardinals dropping at least one in the run home. It does present a challenge, but second spot is not the main focus for the team who are desperately trying to pull themselves out of a late season funk. Next Saturday the Snowdogs come to TH King, also looking to win to avoid the drop, so will be another major challenge. It’s the last home game of the season and we’ll be counting on a big crowd on hand at the pre-game lunch and afterward as we look to bounce back.
Best for SKOB were: Luke Winter, Sam Tucker, Elliot Mahoney, Angus Hart, Liam Walters and Jack Andriske
Ressies do enough
The Ressies did what they had to do and that was secure another 4 points to get them one step closer to securing the double chance. Uni Blacks have not won a game this season in the reserves but they gave SKOB a battle all the way to the wire, refusing to let their visitors get away with an easy kill. Well ahead half way through the third term, SKOB were jolted by three quick goals to the Blacks as they hit the last huddle with the game still very much in the balance. Two snags to open the final quarter put the game to bed, but Coach Clough will be looking for a more even effort in the final two weeks as the team sharpens up for the business end.
Better Ressie’s were: Billy Bryan, Tom Davidson, Jack Byrne, Tom Sullivan, Tom Williams and Liam Mahoney
Saints drop their first
They say a loss is never a bad thing to have when you’ve been up for a while, so Coach Tommy won’t lose too much sleep over the result on Saturday that saw the Saints Gold lower their colours for the first time all year. In reality this game had more hype than it needed as there will be at least another if not two clashes between these two teams coming up in the next few weeks that will have a lot more riding on it than this Round 17 battle. It was a weird old battle with the heat just adding to the fire from two teams at the top of the tree. After a slow start the Saints got their noses in front on half time, responding to the Cardinals opening two goals with two of their own. An injury that required a stretcher in the third quarter cut some time off the clock and then the final term was pure arm wrestle stuff with neither team able to make inroads on the scoreboard. This suited the home team who had the lead and made it to the final siren with the five point margin intact. If both teams win next weekend then Scotch will finish the season on top as minor premier, before they meet again in a much anticipated Second Semi. Watch this space. Best for the Golds were: Emily Condon, Lauren Suleiman, Charity Russell, Annabelle Embelton, Kate Stanton and Mischa Beaconsfield
For the Blues, the finals dream is over. A stacked Old Scotch line-up were too classy for the Saints. SKOB needed to win to retain any hope of playing in September but were swept away by a team that barely resembled the squad assembled last time they met. It’s been a great run from Coach Strauss and his team who rebounded from a very slow start to the season to even be contending at the pointy end, but alas they were unable to get there in the finish. They have one more game to play for the season and will be looking to finish on a winning note. The best of the Blues were: Jess Joyce, Eliza Doble, Georgie Nolan, Brigette Snell, Michaela Weinstein and Elysia Burvill
Greeners keep Dream alive - off to the Big Dance
Sunday brought better news for the Saints franchise with a win to the mighty Green Machine in the Second Semi final played out at LaTrobe. Having sat out the first week of the finals on account of finishing top in a final five format, the Greens were a bit slow out of the blocks. Finals footy can do that, and the Greens knew they were in for an arm wrestle as the first quarter went goal less. With only 18 players to select from after some eligibility challenges (let’s just leave it at that) the Saints were all going to have to dig deep to progress to the Granny. Battling hard into the breeze they again kept their opponents goal less for the quarter (the third) and then put through a sealer in the last to sail into the big one. A magnificent effort for the Greens who will be looking to repeat the 2022 triumph in a fortnight’s time. Greenest of the Greens were: Lucy Leckey, Lucy Straford, Molly Harrington, Jessica Mounas, Philippa Stephenson and Petra Edwards
Double chance grabbed as Premier lock in top two
The double chance was on the line at the Under 19 Premier game at TH King and the game lived every bit up to the hype. Two very good teams came together with a delicious carrot on offer for the winner. The sun came out and offered an early spring finals like atmosphere to the contest. A tight first quarter then saw things open up a bit more in the second as both teams were able to hit the scoreboard. The score was locked at 32 apiece at the main break with the Uni Blues edging marginally clear in the third term as the two teams went for jelly snakes. The SKOB coaching staff pleaded for a big effort in the last and the home team responded in the best way, finishing with a five goal haul in the fourth to put a gap on their opponent and then get to the line 15 points to the good. The win putting them into second spot as the home and away season closes. It will be a tough challenge against table topping Old Brighton in the semi, but SKOB have found form at the right time of the year. Three goals to Nick Dynan and a couple to the Duffman gave SKOB the edge up forward. They were best served by Xavier Duke, Paul Parakilas, Sam Jones, Liam Hepburn, Liam Edwards and Ben Ball.
Our Div 2’s and Div 4’s finished out the season on Saturday at TH King. Both teams went under to teams heading for the finals, but they each gave a great effort and should be proud of the way they finished out the season. For Krusher and Jacko’s lads, the better players were Seb McNamara, Francis Mancini, Luke Farmelo, Zach Gleeson, Harry Ryan and Daniel Deguara whilst for Griff’s boys the best were Archie Dollman, Aiden McGrath, Jack Elsworth, Val Scopelliti, Iggy Murphy and Ed Harmon.
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