Harry Kelly booted four as Healy's Heroes put down the SKOB challenge.

Coach Healy reports:

The OX Reds travelled to T H King on Saturday to take on the team that we beat in last year’s 2nd semi-final – SK Gold. The 2SF was probably our best effort of 2016 so the challenge was there with a very different side in 2017 to get an early-season edge over them.

The side for round three had an incredible 17 changes and late withdrawals from Stanley, Dan Prowse and Van der Kley didn’t make things any easier !!

After losing Captain Courageous Fletch Nugent in the opening minutes, the game settled into quite the arm wrestle, with both sides strong at the contest and not allowing run or quick ball movement.

One goal each in the opening quarter, but then a marked change  in the second as the OX Reds began to win the ball at clearances and more effectively move it into a now functional forward line. Kelly, Watkin and Sharkey were all looking dangerous, while Lowe, Ingham and Ongorato were quelling any SK moves forward and proving hard to score against.

After taking a well-earned three goal lead into the long break, our boys poured on the pressure in the third quarter to increase the lead to five goals at the last break. Beaton, De Lutis, Cleeve, Bishop combined with Berry and Curtis to ensure SK could not get enough of the footy to gain any momentum.

The home team rallied in the last quarter mainly off the back of a series of centre clearances and excellent snap goals and were able to reduce the margin to under three goals but our lads steadied, showed good poise and ability to hold onto the ball under pressure to record an excellent 5+ goal victory.

With our large list, the rotation system will continue in the coming weeks … it’s great everyone has bought into the system and our training numbers continue to be huge.

This week we’re back to the scene of the crime to take on an improved SK Green – another focussed effort can bring us a fourth straight win.

Thanks to Sama x 2, Buff et al for the great support they provided Timmy this week.

See you all at Como at 6-20 on Wednesday !!

St Kevins OB Gold  1.3-9    2.4-16    3.5-23     6.7-43

Old Xaverians Red  1.2-8    5.5-35    8.6-54   11.10-76

Goal Kickers: H. Kelly 4, C. Bishop 2, S. Cleeve, J. Delutis, E. Watkin, P. Nunan, F. Keramitsis
Best Players: M. Lowe, T. Ingham, S. Cleeve, B. Curtis, J. Delutis, M. Sharkey

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