Oakleigh Amateur bounced back onto the winners list with a hard fought win over Therry Penola at John Pascoe Faulkner Reserve in Oak Park on Saturday. Therry had first use of the wind in the blustery conditions and probably wasted it a bit with some inaccuracy in front of goal as the Krushers managed 4 goals into it and took a 3 point lead into the first break. The Lions bit back hard in the second term booting 6 goals to the Oaks 3 to go into half-time with a 13 point advantage and the wind in the third term.

It was Oakleigh who took the initiative after the break managing a 5 goal to 2 third quarter and taking back the ascendency at the last change by 12 points. The Krushers then dominated the final term booting 7 goals to Therry’s 2 to run away by 38 points. Trevor Bromley led the Oaks goalkicking with 4, Tim Scott added 3 and Gary Bennett, Aaron Cloke, Nick Seel and Josh Revere all chipped in with 2 each. Tom Nolan, Pat Ioannidis and Liam Gillard were among the Krushers best.

Having only 6 players proved to be the major difference between the teams in the early game as Oakleigh battled to make a game of it. A scoreless first quarter and a scoreless third quarter didn’t help the cause any as the Krushers, despite battling on gallantly, went down by 60 points. Mark Bennett, Andrew Weymouth, Josh Abela and Rod Gonzalez were in the Oaks best.

The early game at Scammell Reserve saw the U/19s play host to Old Paradians in a gusting, swirling wind that made good football almost impossible. The visitors took the early running and went to the first change with a slender 2 point lead. The Oaks then took advantage of the conditions booting 5 goals to 2 in the second term and went to the long break with a 22 point advantage. Oakleigh failed to trouble the scorers in the third term but kept the Parade to only 1 goal for the quarter and managed to hold on to a 14 point lead at the last break. The visitors threatened in the last quarter but the Krushers held on to post a 12 point victory. Dylan Goodwill led the Oaks goalkicking with 4, Ryan Powell added 2 and Justin McCarthy, Harry Boontjes and Calvin Toohim were among the best.

The women wound up their inaugural season playing host to St Bedes and, although full of hope and good intentions, found the going and the opposition a bit too tough, particularly into the wind. The girls battled hard but St Bedes proved too good on the day and the Krushers succumbed by 46 points. Crystal Van and Steph Wood kicked the goals and Madelaine Bregazzi, Casey Morris and Kara White were in the best.

Final Scores:

1sts: OAFC 19.14.128 v Therry Penola 13.12.90
Goals: Trevor Bromley 4, Tim Scott 3, Gary Bennett 2, Aaron Cloke 2, Josh Revere 2, Nick Seel 2, Liam Gillard, James Hunt, Pat Ioannidis, Chris Grant
Best: Tim Scott, Gary Bennett, Tom Nolan, Pat Ioannidis, Nick Seel, Liam Gillard

2nds: OAFC 4.3.27 v Therry Penola 12.15.87
Goals: Josh Abela, Rod Gonzalez, Anthony Ashworth, Evan Lukas
Best: Mark Bennett, Andrew Weymouth, Josh Abela, Rod Gonzalez, Rhys Hildebrand-Wise, Matt Pearson

U19s: OAFC 8.12.60 v Old Paradians 7.6.48
Goals: Dylan Goodwill 4, Ryan Powell 2, Tom Gillard, Corey Moore
Best: Justin McCarthy, Harry Boontjes, Dylan Goodwill, Calvin Toohim, Shaun Vapp, Martin James

Womens: OAFC 2.4.16 v SBMT/St Peters 8.14.62
Goals: Crystal Van, Stephanie Wood
Best: Madeline Bregazzi, Stephanie Wood, Casey Morris, Kara White, Jasmine Ballastrine, Crystal Van