Oakleigh let themselves down with a lacklustre second half in their first home game where they hosted fierce rivals Peninsula in The VAFA Premier C division second round. Another slow start by Oakleigh saw the Pirates strike first and open up a handy lead before the Kruskers could open their account. The Oaks managed hit back with 3 goals and go into the first break trailing by 5 points. In the second term Oakleigh took all the running and peppered the goals but couldn’t convert booting 8 points to take a 1 point lead before Peninsula slotted a late goal and kept the 5 point advantage at the long break.
After half-time Oakleigh fell away as the Pirates lifted the tempo adding 6 goals and effectively putting the game out of reach for the Krushers. The final change had Oakleigh 38 points in arrears and under the pump. The Pirates kept the pressure up as Oakleigh faltered and, despite a couple of goals which lifted Oakleigh hopes briefly, ran away to a 49 point victory. Steve Tolongs led the goal kicking for Oakleigh with 2 as Pat Ioannidis and Luke Andreatta worked hard.
The Reserves bounced back after last weeks’ defeat with a stirring 41 point victory over Peninsula. Jumping away to a 12 point lead at the first change, the Oaks had to weather the Pirates counter attack which, had it not been so inaccurate, may well have seen the Krushers trailing at the main change.
As it was, the Oaks managed to hold on to a 13 point advantage at half-time and after a 9 goal to 4 second half posted a comfortable win. Josh Paola celebrated his return with 5 goals for Oakleigh with Tommy Golik, Ben Hogan and Jack Van Den Ven adding 2 each. Aaron Binns, Adam Matheisson and Chris Mercuri were among the Krushers best.
The U/19s opened their season with a hard fought 2 point win over Old Haileybury at Princes Park in Caulfield. An inaccurate Oakleigh managed to get over line with Chris Pearson and Jack Davidson booting 2 goals each. Andrew Weymouth, Scott Murray and Matt Aranha among the best.
