St Kevin’s broke the club’s longstanding hoodoo by claiming their first-ever William Buck Premier flag in a three-point thriller against Collegians at Trevor Barker Oval.
In cyclonic Sandringham weather, SKOB’s third quarter brilliance of four unanswered goals proved the difference as both talented units displayed high quality skills despite the testing conditions.
The Lions held the ascendancy in the first term with two goals to one on the back of great work from Kenny Ong and a standout performance from Tom Penberthy. However, SKOB hit back in the second with five goals to three before compiling an elite third term.
Jock Nelson Medallist, Mitch Brown, was first-class and finished the game with two goals, while Sam Critchley marked everything in his vicinity down back for the premiers. Anthony Lynch’s tap work at stoppages was outstanding for SKOB and Ben Dowd improved as the game progressed, providing his well-known explosion from congestion in the third term.
As they have shown all year, the Lions were relentless until the final siren and after kicking three unanswered goals late in the fourth came within striking distance. Viv Michie kickstarted the Lions’ fightback in the fourth and was backed up with Courtney Hylton receiving the hands from Lachie Ferguson and slamming it home from 40m. An undisciplined free kick resulted in Will Johnson converting from the top of the square but they couldn’t quite penetrate in the final moments as SKOB worked the ball forward and saw the game out in front of their loyal supporters.
Xander Croft and Kenny Ong finished with two goals each for the Lions, while Penberthy and Sam Hibbins were their two best players alongside a Matt Jenkinson performance for the ages as he kept Jay Schulz goalless. Josh Wallis and Billy Kanakis joined Brown with multiples for SKOB.
The finale completed a sensational year of William Buck Premier football as the standard of our competition continues to grow each year. Congratulations to both sides for their seasons and to St Kevin’s for claiming their first A-Grade flag in the club’s history.
Jock Nelson Medal: Mitch Brown (St Kevin’s)
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