Zac Thiessens – 100 Games
A soggy Saturday and the “Slippery When Wet” signs should have been put up around Scammell Reserve for the fifth round of the VAFAs Premier C season where Oakleigh played host to old friends Parkdale. The constant rain had made a mess of the central wicket area and other parts of the ground which made staying on your feet a little tricky. After a few minutes of arm wrestling as both sides sought ascendency, it was the Vultures who got the breakthrough but the joy was short lived as Oakleigh struck back going to the first change with an 8 point lead. The Krushers then broke the shackles in the second quarter carving up the Parkdale defence to boot 5 goals to the Vultures 1 taking a 34 point advantage into the long break.
Accuracy in front of goal all but disappeared in the third term as Parkdale set the pace adding 2-5 to the Krushers 4 behinds leaving Oakleigh leading by 21 points at the last change. The Vultures continued to press at the resumption and closed the gap to 16 points before the Krushers broke their goal drought with 2 replies but Parkdale kept coming and had cut the deficit to 17 points when the bell ended proceedings. Aaron Cloke was Oakleigh’s main goal kicker with 3 and Tim Scott added 2. Dermot Cleary, Keith Paisley and Pat Di Siervi were among the Krushers best.
In the early game, Zac Thiessens 100th,the Krushers struggled to come to terms with conditions and a sharp opponent. The Vultures took off early keeping the Oaks goalless in the first term and by half-time Parkdale held a 32 point lead. Things didn’t improve after the break for Oakleigh as the Vulture defence continually repelled the Krushers attacks allowing only 2 goals for the second half whilst Parkdale’s forwards booted another 6 and ran out 61 point victors. Will Manning, Chris Mercuri and Adam Mathiesson were among Oakleigh’s best.
The U/19s travelled down to Harry Trott Oval to meet up with Collegians in their U/19 South clash. In a tough slog in the soggy conditions an inaccurate Oakleigh emerged victorious by 21 points in a low scoring affair. Sahil Bhanwil, Jake Lever, Anmol Mahotra and Alex Seremelis shared the goals with one each and Clinton Pinney, Luke Pappon and Mason Ansell were in the best players.
