KRUSHERS DISAPPOINTING.

Oakleigh surrendered any hopes of a finals berth with a disappointing effort against arch rivals Hampton Rovers in a tough contest at Boss James Reserve on Saturday. Poor kicking for goal has dogged the Krushers all season and this game was no exception with Oakleigh starting well with the first two goals of the game and Stuart Wines playing his 50th game but they failed to press home the advantage with inaccuracy taking a slender 2 point lead into the first break. The second quarter was Hamptons booting 4-3 as the Oaks squandered opportunities for a 1-4 return and a 15 point deficit at the long break.

Oakleigh rallied in the third but hopes of a Krusher resurgence were dashed when a lapse late in the quarter allowed the Rovers to open up a 21 point lead by three quarter time. The Oaks continued to battle hard in the last but the pressure and the effort took it’s toll and Hampton skipped away to a 40 point victory. Aaron Cloke worked hard all game and booted 5 goals for Oakleigh with Tim Scott and Steve Tolongs adding 2 each. Aisea Valentini and Chris Hogan were in the Krushers best.

A goalless first term in the early game pretty much set the tone for what was a disappointing day for Oakleigh as the reserves could manage only one goal for the first half as Hampton opened up a 33 point lead by half-time. Also plagued with inaccuracy, the Krushers worked hard but couldn’t repair the damage done and fell by 37 points. Chris Lavery booted 2 goals for Oakleigh with Aaron Binns, Josh Revere and Baden Wass among the best.

The U/19s once again proved to be the only shining light for the day with a thumping 76 point win over Peninsula at Scammell Reserve. After a relatively quiet opening term booting 2-5, a 6 goal second quarter put the young Krushers in charge and a 7 goal third term put the game to bed as Oakleigh ran rings around the Pirates whose poor kicking for goal cost them dearly. The goalkicking honours were shared around by Oakleigh with Anmol Malhotra and James Grigoriou booting 3 each and Jake Benoiton, Joed Cook, Jack Davidson and Michael Tate adding 2 each. Luke Pappon, Tom Nolan and Clinton Pinney were in the Oaks best.

Final Scores:

Seniors: Oakleigh 11.12.78 lt Hampton Rovers 18.10.118

Goals: Aaron Cloke 5, Tim Scott 2, Steve Tolongs 2, Liam Hard, Stuart Wines
Best: Aisea Valentini, Chris Hogan, Aaron Cloke, Luke Andreatta, Andrew Murray, Gary Bennett

Reserves: Oakleigh 4.14.38 lt Hampton Rovers 10.15.75

Goals: Chris Lavery 2, Manny Catalla, Adam Matthieson
Best: Aaron Binns, Josh Revere, Baden Wass, Manny Catalla, Dan Mercuri, Adam Abel

U/19s: Oakleigh 19.10.124 def Peninsula 7.16.58

Goals: Anmol Malhotra, James Grigoriou 3, Jake Benoiton 2, Joed Cook 2, Jack Davidson 2, Michael Tate 2, Sam Ciavarella, Jake Lever, Ankush Malhotra, Tim Michael, Luke Pappon
Best: Luke Pappon, Tom Nolan, Clinton Pinney, Brodie Weymouth, Nic Di Cioccio, Jack Davidson