An awful injury to Michael Pisker following an accidental clash in the third quarter of the Senior game at TH King has shocked everyone at SKOB as well as the wider VAFA community from which messages of support and thoughts have been widely and gratefully received. Sadly the incident affected us all deeply and we will be brief in the news this week. The Seniors went on to defeat Uni Blues on Saturday in a low scoring game at TH King. An important win was recorded by the Reserves who found Uni Blues a very determined opponent. Earlier the Academy picked up another four points with a win over Fitzroy. On Sunday the Stingers reversed an early season loss to AJAX by beating them well at Albert Park. Again it was three for three in the Saints world. The Gold team had to work hard for the points against the MUGARS who put up a great show with the scores even at half time. The Golds pulled away in the second half. The Blues got on top early against the MUGARS and had a comfortable victory whilst the Greens received a forfeit from MCC. In the 19s our Premier team had a terrific win at a windy, wet and wild Willy. The Div 2’s fought hard but were always up against it at Parkdale and an incredibly undermanned Div 4’s team battled right to the end but were no match for the Willy 2's at Righetti. Overall the club registered 8 wins from 10.
Another important step
On a difficult day, the Seniors managed to record an important win over top four aspirant Uni Blues at TH King. SKOB were comfortably ahead for most of the contest where scoring was difficult for both teams. The win keeps SKOB two games clear of the chasing pack and a game off the league leaders in Premier as the top five all triumphed over the bottom five in this week's round of results.
Best players for SKOB: Liam Gunson, Nicholas Sing, Andrew Mathieson, Alastair Richards, Lachlan Farrugia, Luke Winter
No Bye Hangover for SKOB’s Reserves
Our man at the ground, Yanni was back in action and saw it all unfold at TH King.
"SKOB’s return after a long layoff to TH King, looking to keep their form and increase their chances of finishing in the top two by the end of the season.
The Reserves came out with their foot on the accelerator, with fantastic ball movement they generated ample forward half entries. Despite their forward half dominance, the SKOB’s boys only came out with a slender lead.
The second quarter brought a change in the weather conditions. As the wind picked up and the rain came through, the ball movement became more and more difficult, leading to a scrappy affair. The defence found themselves taking responsibility. Notably, Jack Byrne and Thomas Andriske, with his 100th game, stepped in, helping the boys hold the backline. Meanwhile, William Pearce snagged a red-time goal, keeping the boys in front heading into the major break.
The 2’s came out fresh with energy. The midfield really gave them the opportunity to get the ball forward. The boys won the scrappy one-on-one duels, which led to goals from Thomas Feehan, Liam Mahoney, and William Pearce, capping off his day with his fourth goal, stretching the lead in the boys' favour.
The final term came around, and SKOB’s boys looked like they were going to blow the game apart with the number of forward half entries that they had, but unfortunately, with their inaccuracy in front of goals, they couldn’t translate it into scoreboard pressure. Despite their inconsistency in front of goal, with the good work the boys put in during the first three quarters, they were able to come away in front.
Despite the conditions, the boys were satisfied with the win in front of the home crowd. Coach Clough was also happy with the performance but said, "the next three-week period is important for the team for where we want to be at the end of the season."
Thanks to Sarah Withers for capturing some of the action from the Ressies at TH King.
100 up for Tom
All at SKOB were pleased to see popular clubman Tom Andriske chalk up game 100 in the Reserves win on Saturday.
Tom has been a stalwart in the Ressies and will be a big factor in their charge for a spot in the finals at the pointy end of the season.
Well done Tom, and thanks to younger brother James Andriske for the photos.
Academy get to work
Our man on the scene was there early on Saturday to capture all the action:
"Three games out from finals and facing an opponent that they had previously held scoreless it was a case of having everything to lose as the Academy squared off against a young Fitzroy team that included 6 U19 players.
Challenged by the coaching staff to prepare and play to their own self-set standards and to show the same respect to every opponent The Academy boys started and finished the day with a very pleasing 4 quarter effort that saw them comfortably prevail by 9 goals, winning each quarter by 2-3 goals.
In heavy and greasy conditions that were never going to be conducive to fast, free-flowing football the young SKOB team, brought the work rate that is fast becoming their hallmark. Jack Liszukiewizc ran tirelessly all day and was a driving force at the stoppages. Luke Beverage’s Love Child, journalist Ed Bourke, continued his month of solid football giving both aerial and ground cover and was a rock in the back line. Up front, The Academy’s version of Tony Modra, James Ritchey, blond hair dashing and weaving was creating head-aches for the young Lions’ backline. He even got muddy. Oli Doyle, in the absence of the big bros Sam, took the midfield apart with solid support from Liam Foo.
With 2 games to go against the Scotchies and Trinity who are both vying for a top four spot the squad has swithed to a finals footing and head to Camberwell on Saturday morning to try to stich up 2nd spot on the ladder and secure the double chance come finals time."
BEST: Jack Liszukiewicz, Edward Bourke, Oliver Doyle, James Ritchie, Daniel McCarthy and Liam Foo
The Stingers were seeking redemption on Sunday for an early season loss to AJAX - the team sitting one spot ahead of them on the table. It was a statement game for the Stingers and the Will Brothers had the boys well prepped for the task ahead. SKOB were on top early and never let up as they increased their advantage throughout the contest to run away comfortable victors in the finish to the tune of 51 points - swapping spots on the ladder in the process and setting themselves up for a strong finish to the home and away season with just two rounds to go.
James Hill led all comers with 5 goals, and the best were Lachie Haig, Sam Mercuri, Julian Chaffey, Christian Dachs, Sam Close and James Fabbro
Saints shake slumber to slip by Students
The Saints Gold were in prime time on Saturday - playing the MUGARS on Uni Oval at 2pm in the shadow of the spires, and at half time had found themselves with a fight on their hands. The MUGARS are not having the best of seasons, but they took it right up to SKOB who needed to pull out all stops after the main break to shake off their sleepy start and go on to record the win. That they were able to keep Uni scoreless in the second half was a testament to their renewed vigour after the break and with multiple goal scorers they had more breadth in attack. A solid win in the end, but not without a scare.
Best for the Saints were: Tess Cattle, Lily Davies, Bree Doyle, Ashleigh Summers, Tessa Boyd and Paige Duffy
Smooth blues take the cues
Coming up against the bottom team can sometimes be a dangerous proposition for a team returning from a two week break, but Coach Strauss had his side prepped and ready for action. The Blues led wire to wire and showed no signs of losing the groove as they accounted for a determined MUGARS team. The win keeps them just inside the four in a very competitive race.
For the Blues the best were Mischa Beaconsfield, Sienna Vallejo, Steph Taylor, Rachael Wilson, Molly Howard and Isabella Hoal
Wet and wild Willy - no worry
The Under 19 Premier team scored a vital away win at Williamstown to keep them in the bold ink on the table for another week. Fearon Reserve in Williamstown has been a tricky venue for visitors and the weather Gods made it no easier on Saturday, blowing a wintry gale and dousing the players in chilly icy rains off the Bay. But for Coaches Longy and Greeny their boys were well prepared for both the conditions and the opposition and were able to take charge from early on, establishing a five goal lead at the half before running out 44 point winners at the finish. SKOB outscored Willy in each of the four quarters, which no doubt pleased the coaches the most as they put in a full game effort across the board.
A massive challenge awaits next weekend as SKOB face the new league leaders Old Scotch. The margin last time they played was a single point to the Cardinals, so it will be all hands to the wheel again for SKOB if they want to stay in touch of the top teams.
Better players for the Premier team were: Benjamin Palmer, Oscar White, Liam Edwards, Noah Spiteri, Zane Greenham and Roshan Fernandes
The U19 Div 2's had to shift their home game down to Parkdale which probably didn't help their cause, but they gave a good effort, despite being outclassed by the "away" team. SKOB were best served by Sebastian McNamara, Justin Willmott, Will Batchelor, Sam Crack, Zachary Gleeson and Nelson Conwell.
Our Div 4's were critically undermanned as they worked valiantly to get enough players to be competitive on the park at Old Rigret. Late signatures were found and the team ran out the game well but were no match for the Willy CY 2's team. Best were: Jack Elsworth, Sebastien Salom, Billy Branagan, Henry Jones, Valentino Scopelliti and the newly signed Josh Bayley.
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