Oakleigh renewed acquaintances  with Ivanhoe Amateurs after a long absence at Ivanhoe Park on Saturday in the VAFA Division 1 third round and soon found themselves on the back foot as the hosts leapt from the blocks with 2 quick goals before the Krushers could blink. Ivanhoe were on a roll and went to the first change with a 17 point lead, a 5 goal to 4 second term increased their advantage to 22 points at the long break and the Oaks were searching for answers.

A withering spray from coach Jamie Mollo at half-time started to pay dividends in the third quarter as the Krushers cut the lead to 10 points at the final change. Questions were again asked as Ivanhoe booted the first goal of the last term but were quickly answered as Oakleigh powered up. The Krushers upped their work rate and increased the pressure and Ivanhoe began to falter and the Oaks didn’t look back answering every challenge to run out 22 point winners. Tim Scott booted 5 goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Oaks with Aaron Cloke also kicking 5, Gary Bennett, Shane Borland and Pat Iaonnidis each added 2 goals. John Rutter and Rob Holden were in the best.

The early game was a bit one-sided as the hosts proved to be too good for a struggling Krushers outfit. After trailing by 9 points at the first break, the Oaks failed to keep pace with Ivanhoe who took a 32 point lead into the long break and then added 11 goals to 3 after half-time to cruise to an 83 point victory. Josh Abela kicked 4 goals for Oakleigh with Rod Gonzalez adding 2. Chris Pearson, Baden Wass and Michael Tate were in Oakleighs best.

The U/19s played host MHSOB at Scammell Reserve and, after conceding a 10 point lead at the first change, found playing catch-up a bit too difficult as they failed to bridge the gap finally succumbing by 16 points. Lucas Cloke led the goalkicking with 4 with Ed Standish adding 2. Jacob Pearce, Harry Bootjes and Will Harris were in the Krushers best.

The women’s team attended Mazenod College to play and were given a lesson. After matching the first quarter by kicking 2 goals apiece, we started the 2nd down by 2 pts, but allowed the nodders to score 3 goals to nil to be 25 behind at the long break. The Krushers manage to win the 3rd 1-3 to 1-2 but could only manage a further point in the last to gallantly lose by 37 points. Shannen Bethune, Maleah Gridley and Ella Madigan each kicked a goal while Cassie Bethune, Eliza Yore and Marnie Guerin were among the best.

Now that the grading games are completed, the Women’s fixture should be announced later this week.

Final Scores:

Seniors: Oakleigh 20.13.133 def Ivanhoe 16.15.111
Goals: Aaron Cloke 5, Tim Scott 5, Gary Bennett 2, Shane Borland 2, Pat Ioannidis 2, Trevor Bromley, Chris Mercuri, Luke Pappon, Jon Rutter
Best: Tim Scott, Pat Ioannidis, Shane Borland, Jon Rutter, Rob Holden, Aaron Cloke

Reserves: Oakleigh 7.12.54 lt Ivanhoe 20.17.137
Goals: Josh Abela 4, Rod Gonzalez 2, Matt Wilcox
Best: Chris Pearson, Baden Wass, Michael Tate, Andrew Weymouth, Matt Wilcox, Josh Abela

Women: Oakleigh 3.4.22 lt Mazenod 8.11.59
Goals: S Bethune, M Gridley, E Madigan
Best: Jade Farrugia, Shannen Bethune, Marnie Guerin, Eliza Yore, Cassie Bethune

U19s: Oakleigh 9.16.70 lt MHSOB 11.20.86
Goals: Lucas Cloke 4, Ed Standish 2, Izaiah Elisaia, Mina Farid, Tim O’Donoghue
Best: Jacob Pearce, Harry Bootjes, Will Harris, Hayden Everett, Izaiah Elisaia, Tom Gillard.