After a disappointing Round 1 loss, 5 forced changes and with the knowledge that their next appointment was with last year’s Premiers, Round 2 was shaping up as a big task. However it has been said that the best way to judge a team’s form, is how they played out their last quarter of the previous week. This certainly seemed to be the case, as Caulfield kicked the first 3 goals of the game and had generally had SKOBs on toast for the large part of the first quarter. Noblett was dominating in the ruck and followed up his numerous hit outs with key clearances and some great 2nd and 3rd efforts around the ground. Nick Edwards got forward to kick a great goal on the run and Brett Scott was starting to give SKOBs some headaches on his wing.

The second quarter was a much tighter affair as SKOBs kicked 2 quick goals to tie the game, and then wasted a number of opportunities to kick away. Caulfield responded with a goal to the comeback kid, Nathan Guyatt, and then traded goals to make the margin 3 points at half time. The backline held admirably through numerous SKOBs attacks, ably led by Andrew Strain and Cheyne Gates.

The third quarter continued the arm wrestle, with St Kevins starting to get the upper hand. Although the hard work of Scott, Murphy & Noblett kept Caulfield in the game, as did some handy goal snaps by Bowes and Grant ‘Buddy’ Poulter. ‘Snake’ Dorman also started to impose himself in the forward line, with some great physical work, while Strain continued his control of the half back line.

The final quarter saw Caulfield play out the game with nobody on the bench, due to injuries, and this certainly stretched them on the expanses of Elsternwick Park. SKOBs started well with a goal within the first minute and although Poulter responded with his third goal of the game, SKOBs had the momentum going their way. Some SKOBs junk time goals made the margin more flattering than it probably deserved to be, however the core of the side played well, and the promising debut of Jimmy Wearne and the return of veterans Guyett and Simon Thompson gives the side something to build on in coming weeks.

Goals: Poulter 3, Pennycuick 2, Bowes, Edwards, Guyett

Best Players (in no particular order): Murphy, Strain, Scott, Poulter, Pennycuick, McCahon, Noblett, Edwards