Oakleigh slumped to their third loss and the bottom of the ladder on Saturday after a trip to Gordon Barnard Reserve to take on Old Camberwell turned into a massive disappointment for the Krushers. Hopeful of a change in fortunes the Oaks came up against a fiercely determined home side and found themselves struggling early as Camberwell piled on the first 5 goals and had the Oaks rattled. Oakleigh did recover enough to boot 3 goals before the first change to trail by 14 points but the momentum was lost after the break with Old Camberwell running riot to post 7 goals to the Krushers 3 and take a 39 point lead into the main break.

Things didn’t improve much in the second half as Oakleigh fumbled and faltered under the Grammarians pressure but managed to kick 4 goals for the term, sadly, Camberwell kicked 6 goals and went to the last change with a commanding, and unassailable, 50 point lead. Inaccuracy by the hosts in the last probably saved Oakleigh from a bigger loss as they kicked 3-6 to the Oaks 2-3. Dermot Cleary and Aaron Cloke kicked 3 goals apiece for Oakleigh with Chris Pearson adding 2. Shane Borland, Pat Ioannidis and Zac Mousoulis were among the best players. Clint Pinney played his 50th game.

The early game the Oaks began well going into the first break with a 3 point advantage but 5 goals by Camberwell in the second term to Oakleighs 1 gave the Grammarians a 22 point lead at half-time. After an even third quarter, the home side ran away from Oakleigh to win by 10 goals. Josh Abela booted 4 goals for Oakleigh with Scott Murray, Zac Thiessens and Jack Van De Ven in the best. The one high point for the day for Oakleigh was an under manned U/19s who, with only 16 players, claimed the clubs first win for the season against MHSOB at Melbourne High School.

The young Krushers led from the outset and, but for some inaccuracy in front of goal in the third term, could have been a lot further than 35 points in front at the last change. They managed to withstand a last quarter fight back by the home side to post a 16 point victory. Lucas Cloke and Dylan Goodwill kicked 4 goals each with Corey Moore and Anmol Malhotra adding 2 apiece. James Robinson, Will Harris and Chris Galanos were among Oakleighs best players.

Final Scores:

Seniors: Oakleigh 12.12.84 lt OC 21.17.143

Goals: Dermot Cleary 3, Aaron Cloke 3, Chris Pearson 2, James Hunt, Zac Mousoulis, Tim Scott, Matt Wass

Best: Shane Borland, Pat Ioannidis, Chris Pearson, Zac Mousoulis, Andrew Murray, Gary Bennett

Reserves: Oakleigh 9.3.57 lt OC 18.9.117

Goals: Josh Abela 4, Steve Buchanan, Leroy Moeller, Nathan Miller, Josh Revere, Ben Still

Best: Scott Murray, Zac Thiessens, Jack Van De Ven, Josh Abela, Steve Buchanan, Andrew Weymouth

U19s: Oakleigh 12.19.91 def MHSOB 11.9.75

Goals: Lucas Cloke 4, Dylan Goodwill 4, Anmol Malhotra 2, Corey Moore 2

Best: Dylan Goodwill, James Robinson, Will Harris, Lucas Cloke, Chris Galanos, Corey Moore