Chris Hogan
Oakleigh slipped to their second loss in as many weeks on Saturday when they played host to ladder leaders Marcellin at Scammell Reserve. They also slipped to seventh on the ladder and almost out of contention for a finals berth, however they are still only a game from fourth and have a better percentage but with only three games to go they’re under pressure to win them all. The Krushers looked good in a reasonably even first term until a bit of a concentration lapse gave the Eagles a 15 point advantage at the first break. The second quarter proved to be the Krushers downfall as Marcellin got their run going and booted 5 goals to Oakleigh’s 2 going to the half-time interval 29 points up and looking very dangerous.
Oakleigh lifted in the second half but their recent goal-kicking woes came back to haunt them and though they attacked relentlessly they couldn’t convert enough to haul in the Eagles. Going into the final term 22 points down, the Krushers again dominated the attack with Austin Deneys booting 4 goals for the quarter but, sadly, everyone else missed and Marcellin held on to win by 11 points in what was a frustrating but entertaining game. Josh Paola added 3 goals with Steve Tolongs kicking 2 and Chris Hogan in his 100th Senior game, Andrew Murray and Aisea Valentini were in Oakleigh’s best.
The reserves fared better than last week but still struggled to keep pace with the Eagles for three quarters going into the last 5 goals adrift. The Krushers lifted but their accuracy in front of goal deserted them booting 1-6 for the term effectively blowing their chance of unlikely win with Marcellin running out 26 point victors. Matt Aranha played his 50th game, Dan Costigan led Oakleigh’s goal-kicking with 3, Chris Mercuri, Ben Hogan and Shaun Taylor were some of Oakleigh’s best.
The U/19s were guests of Beaumaris at Le Page Park and started strongly booting 5 goals to 1 in the first term. The Sharks lifted in the second quarter with 4 goals to the Krushers 3 but could add only one more goal for the game as the Oaks took complete control to run away with an 80 point win. Jake Benoiton’s goal-kicking form continued with 7 with Nick DiCioccio adding 3 and Sahil Bhanwal and Jake Lever kicking 2 each. Michael Tate, Luke Pappon and Joed Cook were also in the best players.
Final Scores:
Seniors: Oakleigh 11.19.85 lt Marcellin 14.12.96
Goals: Austin Deneys 4, Josh Paola 3, Steve Tolongs 2, Liam Hard, Tim Scott
Best: Austin Deneys, Chris Hogan, Andrew Murray, Josh Paola, Aisea Valentini, Dermot Cleary
Reserves: Oakleigh 10.12.72 lt Marcellin 15.8.98
Goals: Dan Costigan 3, Leroy Moeller 2, Rod Gonzalez, Nathan Miller, Emmanuel Catalla, Jake Paola, Simon Way
Best: Chris Mercuri, Ben Hogan, Dan Costigan, Shaun Taylor, Rod Gonzalez, Adam Matthieson
U/19s: Oakleigh 19.11.125 def Beaumaris 6.9.45
Goals: Jake Benoiton 7, Nick Di Cioccio 3, Sahil Bhanwal 2, Jake Lever 2, Joed Cook, James Grigoriou, Ankush Malhotra, Anmol Malhotra, Luke Pappon
Best: Jake Benoiton, Sahil Bhanwal, Nick Di Cioccio, Michael Tate, Luke Pappon, Joed Cook
