Round 17 Match Review

Oakleigh finished the VAFA Premier C season on a high with a bruising win over Old Camberwell at Gordon Barnard Reserve on Saturday. The hosts started well and jumped a sluggish Oakleigh in the opening term taking a 13 point lead into the quarter time break. The Krushers hit back hard in the second quarter lifting their work rate and moving the ball with more confidence which returned 7-5 for the quarter to the ‘Wells 4 goals and gave the Oaks a 10 point advantage at the long break. Had the Old Camberwell siren not been little more than an impotent squeak at this time the lead would have been more as none of the three field umpires heard it before Old Camberwell marked in front and goaled.

The third term was a grind as the ‘Wellers clawed back the lead keeping the Oaks to 1 goal for the quarter. It was a bad term for Oakleigh who lost Jim Chapple to a broken nose and concussion and full back Steve Buchanan to a broken leg. These setbacks seemed to inspire the Krushers who upped the intensity in the last quarter and lifted again as Old Camberwell began to wilt. Six unanswered goals put Oakleigh in the box seat and a late goal to the ‘Wells left them 26 points adrift at the final siren, which by now was audible. Trevor Bromley was back to his best in front of goal with 6 as Dermot Cleary added 5 and Lee Barrand 2. Aisea Valentini, Pat Ioaniddis and Chris Hogan were in Oakleighs best.

The Oaks reserves were no match for their hosts after a tough first half and trailed by 42 points at the long break but an improved second half saw them keep pace with the ‘Wellers but they still fell by 50 points.

The U/19s played host to Monash Blues at Scammell Reserve in the U/19s South final round and the main topic of interest was how many goals Aaron Cloke would kick. Needing 14 to reach 100 goals, Cloke booted the 14 and probably should have kicked more but for some wayward shots. Despite this inaccuracy, Oakleigh kicked 14 goals in the first half and 12 in the second half and finished the match 139 points in front of an outclassed Monash.

Final Scores:

Seniors: Oakleigh 17-11-113 def Old Camberwell 13-9-87.
Goals: T.Bromley 6, D.Cleary 5, L.Barrand 2, S.Tolongs, T.Scott 1.
Best: A.Valentini, P.Ioannidis, C.Hogan, D.Cleary, P.Holden, J.Hunt.

Reserves: Oakleigh 8-8-56 lt Old Camberwell 15-16-106.
No match details available.

U/19s: Oakleigh 26-18-174 def Monash Blues 5-5-35.
Goals: A.Cloke 14, C.Grant 3, J.Cook 2, Z.Pearce-Thomas, J.Lever, A.Mase, L.Pappon, L.Gillard, A.Deneys, M.Tate.
Best: L.Pappon, C.Pearson, J.Cook, M.Tate, A.Deneys, A.Cloke.