A complete performance from SKOB today as they led from go to woah at Elsternwick Park to earn an emphatic victory over Old Melburnians. Despite sitting second on the ladder with a 4-1 record coming in to the round, SKOB have arguably not played their best football to date, but today it all came together as they dominated the contest on a cool and blustery day.
Kicking with the breeze in the first quarter, SKOB made the absolute best of the conditions, establishing an early lead and then building all the way through a quarter they dominated around the ground and on the scoreboard. Billy Kanakis was on fire early with 2 goals in the first term, but most of the scoring came from players further up the ground with midfielders and even defenders getting in on the action booting long goals with the breeze.
Although OMs had the better of the clearances in the first term, the SKOB defence were able to repel any inside 50s and kick long where Kanakis was left one-out and used his brilliance to hit the scoreboard early. The first quarter blitz saw SKOB lead 7.3.45 to 1.1.7.
Kicking into the wind in the second quarter, SKOB were able to get their run and carry game going and after an early miss to Kanakis, came again with a string of passes that ended up with Nick Wood who kicked a telling goal. Riley Bowman was making a huge difference, giving his players first use of the ball and marking at will. Sam Critchley, on his return to the Senior side, was having a great time, venturing up the ground to boot a second goal, whilst Kanakis added another. The late withdrawal of Tom Boyd from the SKOB line-up was having little ill effect as the small forwards dined out on the constant supply from up the ground, and the move of Sam Critchley to the forward line was proving a masterstroke.
Finally playing the type of footy that fans have been looking for all season, by half time SKOB had completely dominated the contest and had scored more goals (12) than they had in any match so far in 2021. A 62 point lead at the main break was just reward for the sublime football SKOB were playing.
OMs were always going to come out stronger after half time, but SKOB were prepared and ready not to let up after such a strong beginning. Any fears of a let down were quickly put to bed as they took off where they left, pumping the ball back inside 50 time and again. After a couple of early misses to his teammates, Sam Barnet (making the most of his late call up) showed how it’s done with first a set shot then a snap on the run to boot his second and third goals for the game. James Corboy wore a hard hit, dusted himself off and minutes later banged through a goal to keep the scoreboard ticking for SKOB. Shaun Kennedy - never one to miss an invitation - joined the party mid way through the term and SKOB had broken the 100 point barrier (again a first for time in 2021). Kanakis forced a turnover and slotted his 4th goal from an intercept mark, and despite a couple of late ones from OMs, the visitors were able to extend to an 82 point lead at 3/4 time.
With the result no longer in doubt, the final quarter was bereft of much sting. OM’s kicked the first with the ball sailing through on the breeze, but SKOB upped the ante and scored through Matt Arnot with a long bomb and then Riley Bowman - arguably SKOBs best - kicking a well deserved goal after a strong mark. OM's fought the game out, kicking the last couple of goals of the game to reduce the margin at the finish to 74 points.
A complete performance from SKOB who rewarded their hardy fans with a strong win.
SKOB 19. 12 126
Old Melb 7.10.52
Goals: Kanakis 4, Barnet 3, Critchley 2, Arnot 2, Ross, Matheson, Gleeson, Wood, Edgar, Kennedy, Corboy, Bowman
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