KRUSHER HEART ATTACK
In confronting scenes at Whitefriars College on Saturday an Oakleigh reserves player suffered a heart attack and had to be revived twice before he could be taken to hospital. Moments after the quarter time siren Oakleigh’s Andrew Crothers collapsed. He was immediately pounced on by the Whitefriars and Oakleigh trainers who, along with a player and a member of the support staff, performed CPR until the ambulance arrived. After being revived a second time, Mr Crothers was stabilised and regained consciousness before being rushed to Box Hill Hospital. The good news is Mr Crothers recovered and spent the night in hospital for observation. The reserves match was abandoned as a result and the senior players were given the option of playing or calling their game off as well but both sides chose to play and the match went ahead.
Given that the Oakleigh players had just witnessed one of their own fighting for his life, they, along with the Whitefriars team, could be forgiven for just going through the motions but, to their credit, both sides had a real go. Whitefriars were first to open their account and looked fired up to win their third match of the season but the Oaks were not about to let that happen particularly when there’s a spot in the finals on the line. The Oaks hit back but the Friars enthusiasm saw them go to the first change with a 7 point lead. The Krushers lifted their game in the second booting 3 goals to 1 and, due to some wayward kicking, probably should have been further in front than 10 points at the main break.
The third term was a fairly even affair with the hosts shaving the margin to 9 points at the last change. Oakleigh again threatened to blow the game open in the last term jumping out to a 26 point lead midway through the quarter but a combination of a spirited rally by the Friars, some fumbling and poor delivery by the Oaks along with some bewildering decisions by the umpires saw the difference cut to 13 points at the final bell. Aaron Cloke was the Krushers leading goal kicker with 5, Trevor Bromley added 3 and Leroy Moeller along with Chris Grant chipped in for 2 each. Tim Michael, Adam Mathiesson and Jim Hunt were among the Oaks best.
The U/19s played host to Hampton Rovers at Scammell reserve and, after two straight losses, bounced back onto the winners list after proving too good for the Rovers. The Oaks got off to a great start booting 5 goals to 2 in the opening term to take a 22 point lead into quarter time. Another 3 goals to 1 in the second term gave the Krushers a 37 point lead at the main change. In a low scoring third quarter, the Rovers fought back to cut the deficit to 27 points but the Oaks held control in the last and cruised to a 32 point victory. Dylan Goodwill kicked 4 for Oakleigh with Harry Boontjes adding 2, Corey Moore, Hayden Everitt and Mina Farid were among The Krushers best players.
Oakleigh Amateurs Football Club would like to extend their sincerest thanks to Whitefriars Football Club, particularly their trainers, for their help averting a tragedy on Saturday. Your efforts were magnificent and won’t be forgotten. From all at Oakleigh, Thank you.
Final Scores:
1sts: OAFC 13.11.89 v Whitefriars 11.10.76
Goals: Aaron Cloke 5, Trevor Bromley 3, Chris Grant 2, Leroy Moeller 2, Tim Scott.
Best: Tim Michael, Aaron Cloke, Jim Hunt, Adam Matthiesson, Chris Mercuri, Kevin Holden.
2nds: Match Abandoned.
U19s: OAFC 12.8.80 v Hampton Rovers 7.6.48
Goals: Dylan Goodwill 4, Harry Boontjes 2, Hayden Everett, Mina Farid, Griffin McPhee, Corey Moore, Jett Murphy, Ryan Powell.
Best: Corey Moore, Hayden Everett, Mina Farid, Dylan Goodwill, Calvin Toohim, Ryan Powell.
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