Round 15 Match Review.

Oakleigh continued their winning run making it three in a row with a hard fought victory over North Old Boys at Scammell Reserve in Saturdays VAFA C grade round 15 fixture. Having come off second best in their last meeting, Oakleigh were keen to make amends and keep their quest to avoid the relegation zone on track. The Krushers had first use of a strong wind and made a bit of a mess of it booting 1-10 with NOBS answering with 1-2. Oakleigh fared much better against the gale in the second term adding 4 goals and kept the visitors to 3-4 taking a 12 point lead into the main break.

A low scoring third quarter saw North sneak closer to the Krushers before a couple of late goals steadied the Oaks and gave them a 17 point advantage going into the last change. With NOBS having the wind in the last term, the Oaks knew they had to work hard and, as the rain came, they pulled out all the stops and made a mockery of the conditions piling on 5 goals to the visitors solitary point and ran away with a 48 point win moving up to seventh spot on the ladder in the process. Steve Tolongs celebrated his return to the seniors with 4 goals with Trevor Bromley also adding 4. Pat Ioannidis, Kevin Holden and Chris Hogan were among Oakleigh’s best.

The early game saw an undermanned Oakleigh work hard to stay in touch with NOBS going into half-time 10 points in arrears before a scoreless third term set the cause back dramatically. A late charge in the final quarter came too late and the Krushers went down by 22 points. Will Manning booted 3 goals for Oakleigh in a best-on-ground performance with Kieran Hogan and Baden Wass also among the best.

The U/19s travelled over the Mentone Grammar Playing Fields for the battle of the top two with Old Mentonians in the U/19 South 15th round and prevailed after a tough contest in tough conditions emerging victors by 19 points. Ben Still kicked 3 goals for Oakleigh with Austin Deneys and Joed Cook adding 2 each. Michael Tate and Andrew Mase were in Oakleighs best players.