Oakleigh Amateurs had a great opportunity to create some space between themselves and the dreaded “Relegation Zone” on Saturday at Scammell Reserve when they played host to bottom side Old Camberwell, sadly that opportunity went begging as the Krushers had rings run around them for three and a half quarters by an enthusiastic Old Camberwell side intent on getting off the bottom. It would seem that having a week’s break does not do the Oaks any good as for the second time this season they’ve failed to fire after a bye. Oakleigh were left rueing a dismal first term after a last ditch offensive fell 6 points short at the final siren. The Wellers leapt out of the blocks with a 5 goal first term as Oakleigh struggled to find any rhythm or system and, for that matter, the goals. A 20 point quarter time difference became a 29 point half time difference as Old Camberwell continued to dominate, particularly through the middle.
Had the Wellers kicked truly during the third term the game may well have been over at the final change but a 3-7 return to Oakleigh’s 3-3 had the Krushers 33 points down going into the last quarter. With Old Camberwell opening up a 7 goal lead early in the last, it looked grim for the Oaks but a late resurgence saw Oakleigh close within a goal before the bell. Why it took that long to finally take some control in the match remains a mystery but it did give the Krusher faithful a brief glimmer of hope. Gary Bennett and Aaron Cloke led the goal kicking for Oakleigh with 3 each, Tim Doherty and Trevor Bromley added 2 each and Chris Mercuri, Liam Gillard and Pat Ioannidis were among the best players.
The reserves game was a close affair with the lead changing countless times but ultimately was heart breaking for Oakleigh who faltered in the dying minutes to let Old Camberwell snatch a 7 point win. The Oaks held sway by 11 points at quarter time, the Wellers by 3 points at half time, Oakleigh by 8 points at three quarter time so the last term was going to be a tough slog which saw Old Camberwell prevail. Jake Benoiton kicked 5 goals for the Oaks with Leroy Moeller, Adam Mathieson and Andrew Weymouth among the best.
The early game had the U/19s playing host to Old Paradians in what turned out to be a rather bad day for the visitors. The young Krushers took full advantage of an undermanned opposition and went on a goal kicking rampage booting 7 in thefirst, 9 in the second, 5 in the third and another 9 in the last allowing Old Paradians only 1 goal in the first term. The Oaks had 12 goal kickers with Dylan Goodwill and Ed Standish booting 5 each and Corey Moore, Hayden Everett and Brodie Weymouth adding 3 each. Hayden Everett, Lucas Cloke and Kevin Baras were among the best players.
Scores:
Seniors: Oakleigh 12.12.84 lt Old Camb 12.18.90
Goals: Gary Bennett 3, Aaron Cloke 3, Tim Doherty 2, Trevor Bromley 2, Pat Di Siervi, Tim Scott
Best: Tim Doherty, Chris Mercuri, Liam Gillard, Gary Bennett, Pat Ioannidis, Aaron Cloke
Reserves: Oakleigh 10.4.64 lt Old Camb 10.11.71
Goals: Jake Benoiton 5, Rod Gonzalez, Kevin Harris, Leroy Moeller, Matt Pearson, Brodie Weymouth
Best: Leroy Moeller, Adam Mathieson, Jake Benoiton, Andrew Weymouth, Jack Van De Ven, Corey Moore
U19s: Oakleigh 30.24.204 def Old Paradians 1.2.8
Goals: Dylan Goodwill 5, Ed Standish 5, Hayden Everett 3, Corey Moore 3, Brodie Weymouth 3, Kevin Baras, Lachlan Dalton, Mina Farid, Anmol Malhotra, Jordan Peeler, Ryan Powell, Robert Smith
Best: Hayden Everett, Lucas Cloke, Kevin Baras, Corey Moore, Ed Standish, Dylan Goodwill