Round 17 Match Review
Oakleigh completed the Home section of the Home and Away part of the VAFA Premier C division season in fine fashion with a stirring victory over PEGS at Scammell Reserve on Saturday. With a stiff wind favouring the golf course end, the Krushers started reasonably well with first use and went into the first break with a 2 goal advantage. However, it all went awry in the second term as PEGS took full advantage of the wind and showed Oakleigh how it was done booting 8 goals to the Krushers 1 as they ran all over Oakleigh’s defence going into half-time with a 31 point lead and a load of confidence.
The Oaks needed a big third quarter to set up a win and ten minutes in even the most fervent of the Krusher faithful were having doubts as Oakleigh struggled to kick a goal but then it all changed as the goals came. 5 in all. And Oakleigh were 3 points up at the last change. There were still doubts, however, with PEGS having last use of the wind but the Krushers had other ideas and 2 quick goals gave them momentum and a sniff and the pressure shifted to PEGS who rallied to close the gap to 5 points but the Krushers were not about to give it up and kicked away again. A goal after the final bell to PEGS left them 2 goals short and a jubilant Oakleigh celebrated a sensational win. Tim Scott was deadly around the goals finishing with 6 as Steve Tolongs and Dermot Cleary added 2 each. Aisea Valentini, Zac Thiessens and Stuart Wines were just some of Oakleigh’s best players.
The reserves took the field in the early game with a bare 18 men and battled hard against a stronger opponent but never gave up and gave PEGS a real shake up. Granted they were fortunate with some umpiring decisions but that shouldn’t detract from their efforts that saw them fall 9 points short of an upset. Baden Wass, Jim Hunt and Matt White were all good for Oakleigh.
The U/19s travelled to Boss Reserve and a date with Hampton Rovers in the U/19s South penultimate round and came away with another big win although there were some injuries. The young Krushers dominated from the outset booting 7 goals to nothing in the opening term and going on to win by 84 points.
Final Scores:
Seniors: Oakleigh 15-12-102 def PEGS 14-6-90.
Goals: T.Scott 6, S.Tolongs, D.Cleary 2, Z.Thiessens, K.Hogan, C.Hogan, A.Valentini, C.Lavery.
Best: A.Valentini, Z.Thiessens, S.Wines, C.Hogan, T.Scott, K.Holden.
Reserves: Oakleigh 9-6-60 lt PEGS 10-9-69
Goals:
Best: B.Wass, J.Hunt, M.White, L.Kioussis.
U/19s: Oakleigh 18-20-128 def Hampton Rovers 6-8-44.
Goals: A.Cloke 9, Z/Pearce-Thomas 5, L.Pappon, M.Tate, C.Pinney, J.Cook.
Best: M.Tate, J.Cook, S.Ciavarella, Z.Pearce-Thomas, A.Cloke, B.Still.