St Kevin’s Old Boys held on against a
fast-finishing Collegians outfit in their
top-of-the-table clash and claimed a
seven-point win at St Kevin’s College. Leading by 14 points at the last break, SKOB kicked away to a four-goal lead before the Lions finished with a flourish and brought the margin to single digits. Billy Kanakis kicked another four goals in a dominant display for SKOB and Henry Parkes booted three.
Sam Critchley and Mitch Brown were particularly influential for SKOB, while Courtney Hylton and Al Fahie were standouts for the Lions. SKOB now move one game clear of the Lions at the top of the William Buck Premier ladder.
See match report from the Leader Newspaper below.
FROM THE PRESIDENT
It was a great weekend on a range of fronts for SKOB.
Off the field, Foundation Day at the College was a tremendous day. Sponsored by Simpson Constructions (who have been a sponsor for 30 years) - the sense of community was tremendous. We were able to highlight the importance of the SKC Foundation (giving young men who would otherwise not be able to afford it – an education at the College) at pre and post game events.
The pre game lunch paid respect to Past and Recently retired players. Tim Corrigan did a fabulous job honouring Pat Aughton, Tom Simpson and Ben Dowd. Whist we can’t quite offer a lap around the oval in the back of a Mercedes (from Toorak Mercedes) … we can honour our recently retired players appropriately. Anthony Lynch (who must have done some serious media training!) did a superb job on the Q&A with the boys too. Also, Perc McArdle was finally awarded his Life Membership and was entertaining in his response to Pup’s words.
The Seniors was a mixed bag with the Reserves losing to Collegians and the Firsts recording a hard fought victory. The Seniors are now a game clear on top of the ladder.
The Unders to the rescue!!
A highlight of the weekend was the U19’s. We had 26 new player registrations for the weekend – 25 of them were SKC boys who answered the call to assist the seriously depleted lists (a curse on cheap European airfares!).
It is a tremendous credit to Tony (“The General”) Phillips and Jon Taylor that they have created such a strong environment that so many school boys are so keen to play. A clear highlight was Life Member Hartley Stone’s son. Conor Stone is in Year 10 at the College. He played in the Premier Division team that beat 2nd top placed Old Scotch. As coach Jon Taylor said post game:
“Conor was the youngest player out there, yet he was tough & hard, composed, clean and made good decisions. Showed maturity beyond his years.” The joy this performance gave Jon was palpable. We are extraordinarily lucky to have men of the calibre of Jon Taylor in our midst. Apart from his football and coaching expertise, Jon delivers a level of passion and pastoral care to the group that is rare.
In addition, the U19 (2) side beat St Bernard’s. They now site comfortably in the four. The Under 19 (3) team continued their rich vein of form to roll St Bede’s Mentone. Under the tutelage of “The General” – the boys just keep on improving. Now 6th on the ladder and only 1 game outside the four – the team is doing the club proud.
The U19’s provided a number of players who were promoted to fill the gaps left by our travellers in the Seniors (Reserves side). They all acquitted themselves admirably.
The other great U19 (eligible) player was Lachlan Farrugia playing in the Seniors. Lachlan in the VAFA Rising Star nominee this week. In 2017 Lachlan played 4 games for SKOB Under 19 Premier side whilst completing Year 12 at St.Kevin's College where he played 1st XV111 football. Lachlan started this year with the SKOB U19 Premier side before being promoted to the Reserves in Round 4. After consistent performances he was the promoted up to the Seniors in Round 11. Likened to Jeremy McGovern from West Coast Eagles he is a running backman, taking intercept marks to launch a counter attack. His effective left foot finds his target with pin point accuracy. Lachlan is well liked player who comes across as laid back and seems to fly under the radar but is determined and committed to developing his skills and cementing his place in the SKOB Senior team in 2018.
Gold against the odds ..
The Thirds Gold team (with only 19 players, 18 after one went down before half time) were simply too committed for an Old Melbournians outfit playing with 6 on the bench. It was an outstanding display from the boys. The Thirds Green team had to forfeit (repeat aforementioned curse on said airlines on the cheap flights!).
Saints
Both the Saints teams played Fitzroy but were unable to secure a win (triple that airline curse!!). The Premier team appear secure in the four with three games to go. The Reserves remain a “mathematical” chance to make finals too.
Masters
Also, the Masters got up in a close one against Brunswick at TH King. The result made it 6 wins from 9 SKOB teams fielded for the weekend. Well done all.
Finally, three more things:
Volunteers. Thanks to all our volunteers – particularly the past players who realise the debt they owe volunteers in the years they were playing and are able to help out now. Very simply, without all these people – the games enjoyed by 212 SKOBers every weekend would not occur.
Support. It was a poignant moment post game when Pana Karageorgiou spoke to the group. Pana has left for London this week. If work opportunities present he may be away for a few years. Pana spoke about his love for the club and the support it has afforded him in the difficult period post his Father’s passing. He is certainly a credit to his entire family.
Leadership. Post game I was with the team in the rooms when a player was having tape on his shoulder removed. Clearly not “manscaping” enough – the experience was painful as the tape ripped a lot of hair. As he winced (maybe he screamed!) in pain from the experience he was still able to extend a simple “thank you” to the trainer who had helped him. Well done Shaun. Leadership can come in many forms. In a separate incident - after a SKOB player was felled behind play in the Thirds Gold game great leadership was on display from all players. Troy McMaster is to be commended in particular for refocusing the players and urging them to keep playing the ball….. which of course they did to perfection.
Sponsor Focus.
The sponsor of the Foundation Day lunch was Simpson Constructions. They are a successful and growing organisation with a committed focus on adding value to projects requiring a high level of skilled supervision and coordination. Since commencing operations in 1984, the team now includes professional engineers and project managers, experienced supervisors, highly trained construction personnel and skilled subcontractors. They have built a formidable reputation for supplying quality civil contracting work at a competitive price.
Acker and Tom are key members of the SKOB Community. We thank them for their long term and ongoing commitment to the Club.
St Kevin’s gets the result against Collegians
The top-of-the-table heavyweight clash between St Kevin’s and Collegians didn’t disappoint.
After four quarters of toe-to-toe footy, SKOBs snatched a seven-point win.
With less than half a percentage point separating them, Premier’s two top guns served up a showcase, with SKOBs hanging on 15.7 (97) to 13.12 (90).
St Kevin’s held a 21-point advantage at halftime that was whittled down to 14 at the last break and, though the Lions surged and outscored SKOBs four goals to three in the last term, it wasn’t enough to get them home.
“We seemed to get a few goals ahead and they came back at us. It was that type of day,” St Kevin’s coach Tom Williams said. “We were really happy with this win today and I really didn’t know what to expect. It was a case of two depleted sides playing each other but to get the win was great for us”.
Both SKOBs and Collegians had a number of players away on holidays. Add in injuries and VFL call-ups and the top flight teams had a different look about them.
“It is the usual thing where in June and July VAFA teams have players away on holiday,” Williams said. “It’s the thing that annoys me but it’s also the thing that I love about VAFA footy and we had to plan for it. Knowing players will be away on holiday we put a concerted effort into our young guys and we have unearthed some good young players and that really helped today. Players like Lachlan Farrugia from our under-19s. He got his opportunity and now he is in our best 22.”
Final Scores: SKOBFC 15.7. 97 def Collegians 13.12. 90
Goal Kickers: B. Kanakis 4, H. Parkes 3, F. Keely 2, A. Clough 2, S. Barnett, P. Karageorgiou, G. Gleeson, B. Lloyd
Best Players: S. Critchley, M. Brown, L. Farrugia, W. Coates, H. Parkes, F. Keely
AROUND THE GROUNDS IN PREMIER
Old Xaverians claimed their fourth victory of the season while simultaneously ending Old Scotch’s four-game winning streak, defeating their rivals by 54 points at Toorak Park.
De La Salle registered a much-needed 47-point victory over Old Melburnians at Waverley Oval. Having lost their past four games and sitting ninth on the ladder with three wins, De La rose to the occasion with seven goals to four in the first half.
St Bedes/Mentone Tigers made it two wins from their past two games as they defeated Old Brighton by 72 points at Brighton Beach Oval.
A goal in the dying minutes helped Old Trinity solidify to their spot in the top four as they edged past University Blues by four points at the Daley Oval.
Under 19 Big V Squad Named
Five SKOBBERS have been named in the initial 30 man squad. Congratulations to Michael Jose Romero, Cameron Hodges, Ned Reeves and Sam Barnett on their selection.
Under 19 Premier Reserves
Round 12 saw the U/19 Premier Reserve team head down to St Bernards College for an important game as St Bernards are third and we are fourth on the ladder with St Bernards a 1 1/2 games (6 points) ahead of us with De La Salle one match behind in 5th.
With a large number of U/19 players away the team of 21 had a number of thirds players in the side to assist. The match started with St Bernards winning the toss and kicking with a strong wind behind them, but the SKOB’s came out full of determination and held St Bernards to 1 goal three, kicking 2 goals 2 points against the wind to take a five point lead into quarter time. A highlight in the quarter was a great snap out of the pack goal by Lewis Spinazzola which got the boys fired up.
The second quarter saw the boys take full advantage of the wind, with great ball use, the boys were full of run and were disciplined with long direct kicking into the forward line. They were full of attack kicking 5 goals 3 point taking a 31 point lead into the half time break.
The third quarter saw St Bernards come out full of attack with a last big effort utilising the wind, they kept SKOB’s goalless in the quarter and kicking 5 goals 2 points, the boys never gave up the fight in the quarter and were very good at slowing the tempo of the game late in the quarter to stop St Bernards taking the lead, SKOB took a 1 point lead into the last quarter.
The last quarter saw the boys take the game on again trying to make use of the wind, but St Bernards had a sniff and were trying to play the game on their terms, but the SKOB boys played disciplined football and kept St Bernards to 1 point, kicking 2 goals 2 points themselves. SKOB again slowing the game down in the closing minutes to protect the win. It was a great well fought win by the boys to get back to back wins and move two games clear from De La Salle and half a match off third.
Goals: Spinazzola 2, Wilson 2, Harrington 2, Sweeney 1, Doyle 1, Donald (B Dog) 1.
Best: Great team effort by all players.
SKOB MASTERS 2018 – ROUND 7 MATCH REPORT
by David “Mako” Makohon
Super Sunday at T H King Oval brought the crowd out with Nick O’H resembling Floyd Moneybags with his entourage on the hill cheering the SKOB Masters’ on. Usual Scribe Father John Fogarty was off on a spoken world tour of regional Victoria spreading the good word on the SKOB Masters’ campaign this year. Like all campaigns you have your peaks, troughs and gritty wins and this game was hinting at a StraussShank Redemption with some twists and turns at the finish, but we will get to that later. ‘Meat Axe’ Strauss was skippering the side and the troops were fired up at the start seeing the bionic man Frank ‘The Tank’ Marchesani back to assist ‘Lime Cordial’ John Murray with team duties. It was great to see some familiar faces with Chucky and Joyce back for their first games of the year.
SKOB had a great support crew with the sons of the SKOB Masters’ running the H20 as well as our future Masters Centreman Matt Doherty. The Shark tunes were back and the new playlist was getting Pete Muztech cutting some shapes and pumped up for the extravaganza ahead.
The first quarter started with the SKOB Masters’ all over the contest putting their heads over the pill and Grandmaster Flash Lucas was back in town and showing how it’s done with his relentless attack on the footy. The midfield was getting some great service from Juicy J Mac whose terrific tap work was getting gobbled up by the brothers Marchesani. Sucos Marchesani loves it juicy and was in everything in the first quarter kicking truly on the run. The SKOB Masters’ slammed on the first 3 goals before Brunswick had time to score, Estonia Roses was the beneficiary from a plethora of 25 metre penalties as the opposition’s frustrations were boiling over early. It looked like it was going to be a cakewalk but to Brunswick’s credit they came back and hit the scoreboard with a few majors. It would have been a few more if not for some strong contested marking from the Minister of Defence Patty Mount, who was just returning from Point Cook after the “Get Funked” musical experience. The backline was working well together with great rebound from Floyd O’H, Shark and Wayne ‘Rock’ Cornell. First quarter finished with the SKOB Masters’ up by four points.
At the first break Coach Rock highlighted our need to lower the eyes, reward the leads and burn Brunswick with our run. Men do listen especially to the wise words of the Rock and the SKOB Masters’ came out in the second charging through the corridor and putting the ball on a platter for Stone Roses who continued his goal scoring season with a couple of majors in the quarter. ‘Maff’ Shannon had his own footy for parts of the quarter putting on an audition for Stuey Powell in the crowd for a Big V call up for next year. Pete Muztech wanted a part of this and was lapping around the pockets dining on Maff’s crumbs and snapped a lovely goal from the pocket. In a Pete repeat of the first quarter the fossils let Brunswick back into the contest. The beards of Brunswick had survived and thrived from Ramadan and you could tell the difference from our last encounter as they were full of beans and playing like Moses by splitting the middle of SKOB pressure with every forward thrust and kicking the last two goals of the quarter.
At the main break, the lads were treated to a mixed lolly bag buffet, the Lucas mega mix getting more attention than a late night kebab on Sydney Road. The sons of the SKOB Masters’ sons were dishing out the amber cordial (John Muz changing his stripes) and giving the old fellas some pep talks about following your kicks and tackling hard. Who says youth is wasted on the young as those messages were taken on in the third quarter with the SKOB Masters’ running hard to start the quarter. The SKOB Masters’ kicked the first through some strong marking from Sharpcutz Shannon breaking the pack open Sir Charles Curnow like and kicking truly. Dave ‘Rigatoni’ Sheehy was marking everything across the backline and thwarting the constant threats from Brunswick. The SKOB Masters’ were pushing the ball forward but like dodgy doner kebab it was getting sent back with interest. ‘Potato Head’ Ireland was running hard both ways to prevent further damage from these turnovers, his work ended in a nice finish from the Tribe called Conquest who was presenting a great target up forward. Grandmaster Lucas was showing his usual dash and flair around the packs. However, with a couple of injuries including Tim 25 years in footy and never done a string’ mozzing himself with a snapped string the SKOB Masters’ run was waivering in the second half. At the last change, the SKOB Masters’ were up by two goals, no bench and the game in the balance.
The last quarter was an arm wrestle with the SKOB Masters’ tough running being match with Brunswick’s accurate finishing. Maff was still running hard on the wings and switched straight into the centre to Wayne Rock who delivered it on a platter for a lovely finish from Jumping Joyce. The Marchesani mob were tackling and running hard across the ground and pressing SKOB forward. However, Brunswick found ways forward and continually put the SKOB Masters’ backline under pressure. That’s when the tough answer the challenge and it doesn’t get much tougher than ‘Rigatoni’ Sheehy putting his nut over the pill and stopping a number of Brunswick bombs coming forward. Like Ahmed in the Castle, we prefer these Brunswick bombs than the bombs in Beirut, either way Shutdown by name Shutdown by nature was dismantling them and saving the day. With seconds ticking away the SKOB Masters’ were under the gun and luckily the siren sounded with SKOB Masters’ getting out of jail like Andy Dufresne the skipper Strauss got through muddy waters and relieved to get a win and continue the momentum in our 2018 campaign. The final result was a 3-point win, not the prettiest of victories but a jailbreak has a different kind of beauty to it.
Scores SKOB MASTERS 3.4 8.6 9.9 11.10.76 BRUNSWICK 3.0 5.0 8.1 12.1.73
Goal Kickers: Matt Shannon 3, Matt Stonehouse 2, Pete Murray 2, David Sheehy, Tim Joyce, Ben Marchesani, Pete Conquest.
Best Players: David Sheehy, Matt Shannon, Matthieu Lucas, Ben Marchesani, Jake Ireland, Pete Murray
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