Oakleigh played host to bottom side Banyule at Scammell Reserve on Saturday in what was a must-win match to keep their slender finals hopes alive. Despite being last on the table, Banyule have a reputation of being a dangerous side and easy to under estimate as a couple of the top sides have found out this season and Oakleigh had to be on guard against complacency. The Krushers started well enough with first use of a string wind but the waywardness in front of goal hit early and at quarter time the Oaks had 5-7 on the board to the Bears one goal. The second term started well for Oakleigh with three goals to Banyule’s one when the Krushers seemed to stop and watch the Bears slam on 6 unanswered goals to trail by 6 points at the main break.
After a less-than-impressed coach had explained the finer points of successful football to his charges, the Oaks came out and began to play accordingly, although inaccurately, and booted 5-9 to 1-3 to open up a 6 goal advantage at the last change. Oakleigh then took charge of the final quarter taking advantage of a tiring Banyule to run away with a 65 point victory. Aaron Cloke and Josh Paola kicked 4 goals each for Oakleigh with Steve Tolongs adding 3, Stuart Wines, Austin Deneys and Dermot Cleary were among the Krushers best.
Due to Banyule forfeiting their reserves what was to be a triple header became two games with a 2.5 hour break in between which made for a peculiar sort of day with the U/19s starting at 9.20 am against MHSOB. A 16 goal to one first half by Oakleigh, which included a 10 goal second quarter, pretty much put paid to any hope Melbourne had of causing an upset although they did match the young Krushers in the second half with 8 goals. It was a eventually an 79 point canter for Oakleigh with Jake Benoiton again leading the goal-kicking with 5, Nick Di Cioccio and Alex Seremelis added 4 each. Michael Tate, Luke Pappon and Chris Pearson were among Oakleigh’s best.