On Saturday at Scammell Reserve, Oakleigh Amateurs paid tribute to one of their favourite sons, club legend, champion and all round nice bloke, Trevor Bromley on the occasion of his 300th game. They also played host to top side PEGS. Up to round 12 and every game important in regard to a finals berth, the Oaks needed to get the points in this one and what better incentive could you have than a respected teammates 300th. After the pre-match tributes were done and the banner broken it was down to business and it didn’t take long before Bromley got involved booting the opening goal which brought roars from the growing band of Krusher faithful. PEGS answered quickly but the Oaks retaliated with two quick goals and were looking dangerous before two late goals majors to the visitors levelled the scores. A goal before the bell, though, gave Oakleigh a 7 point lead at the first change. After the break Oakleigh went on a rampage booting 6 unanswered goals including a candidate for goal of the year from Bromley with a snap from an impossible angle on the run. A similar shot form the other side of the goal square by Tim Scott also featured in the highlights reel as the Krushers took control. A couple of late goals to PEGS added a bit of respectability to their total but the Oaks went to the long break with a 46 point lead.

PEGS came to Oakleigh as ladder leaders and teams don’t get to be on top of the ladder by pure chance it’s usually because they’re a very good team. Such is the case with the Bombers. After half-time the visitors hit back with a vengeance booting 9 goals for the third term and narrowing the gap to 5 points before the Krushers rallied, going into the last change with an 11 point advantage. The scene was set for a massive final quarter and the crowd was not disappointed as both sides threw themselves into the contest. Oakleigh managed to kick away but pulled back as the Bombers closed the gap to 4 points midway through the term. The Oakleigh backline found themselves under enormous pressure but stood tall to hold the visitors at bay as the team continually pushed forward in search of a score. A late goal brought cheers but the siren brought a deafening roar as the Krushers prevailed by 10 points and gave Trevor Bromley a milestone game to remember. It was quite a sight as family, friends, supporters, Oakleigh and PEGS players and coaches formed a guard of honour to applaud the champion from the ground. The Oakleigh goalkicking was led by Aaron Cloke with 8 in a best-on-ground performance with Bromley adding 6 and Tim Scott chipping in with 2. Apart from Cloke and Bromley, Ben Hogan, Corey Moore, Tim Michael and Luke Pappon were in Oakleigh’s best.

The early game was a one-sided affair, unfortunately, with a struggling Oakleigh proving no match for a slick and ruthless PEGS outfit. The Krushers battled gamely but had no answers as the visitors took control early didn’t let up winning by 128 points. Scott Murray, Dylan Ruddy and James Chapple battled hard for Oakleigh.

The U/19s went to Aquinas College for a danger game as Aquinas are always a problem on their home turf. After a bright start, with Oakleigh booting 3-1 to one behind in the opening term, the Oaks were held goal-less in the second quarter and went to the long break with a 7 point lead. An improved third term gave the Oaks a bit of breathing space at the last change with a 14 point lead but the Krushers had to withstand a hard finishing Aquinas and held on to win by a point. Chris Galanos and Ryan Powell kicked 2 goals each for Oakleigh with Justin McCarthy, Mina Farid and Jacob Pearce among the best. The Krushers women were given a forfeit by Yarra Old Grammarians and had an intra-club practice match at Scammell in which Cass Bethune was adjudged best afield.

Final Scores:

Seniors: OAFC 18.7.115 V PEGS 16.9.105
Goals: Aaron Cloke 8, Trevor Bromley 6, Tim Scott 2, James Hunt, Corey Moore
Best: Aaron Cloke, Trevor Bromley, Ben Hogan, Corey Moore, Tim Michael, Luke Pappon

Reserves: OAFC 0.3.3 V PEGS 19.17.131
Best: Scott Murray, Dylan Ruddy, James Chapple, Mark Bennett, Chris Grant, Zac Kennedy

U19s: OAFC 7.11.53 V Aquinas OC 7.10.52
Goals: Chris Galanos  2, Ryan Powell 2, Izaiah Elisaia, Dylan Goodwill, Pat Kennedy
Best: Justin McCarthy, Mina Farid, Chris Galanos, Ryan Powell, Jacob Pearce, Callum Gillard

 Womens: OAFC defeated Yarra Old Grammarians by forfeit