The first soggy Saturday of the current season in the VAFA Premier C division saw last placed Oakleigh play host to third placed Old Ivanhoe at Scammell Reserve. The injury depleted Oaks, despite having shown some improved form in recent weeks, were still frustrated and disappointed with the lack of success but also were optimistic that a change in fortunes would soon come with the eventual return of some key players and, possibly, some luck. Old Ivanhoe were, no doubt, expecting a percentage boosting win over the Krushers to help their claim for a finals berth. However, things did not go to script.
Oakleigh were quick out of the blocks with the first two goals of the match but Old Ivanhoe didn’t take long to answer in kind and it appeared early that the ’Hoes would soon stamp their authority on the match but the Krushers took the initiative and jumped out to a 4 goal lead before a late goal brought the ‘Hoes to within 16 points at the first change. Old Ivanhoe lifted in the second term to grab the lead but the Oaks persisted and went to the long break with a narrow 2 point advantage.
The half-time break did nothing to prepare the spectators, or Old Ivanhoe for that matter, for what happened in the third quarter as Oakleigh went on a rampage booting 9-1 to the ‘Hoes 3 behinds and the Krushers held an all too rare ascendency of some 9 goals at the last change. A rattled Old Ivanhoe fought back in the last closing the gap to 6 goals before another Krusher surge took the difference to 52 points at the final bell. Aaron Cloke booted 7 goals for Oakleigh with Trevor Bromley, celebrating his 250th senior appearance, added 6. Tim Scott and James Hunt kicked 2 goals each with Dermot Cleary, Liam Gillard and Pat Iaonnidis among the best players.
In the reserves match it was a pretty even affair up until half-time with Old Ivanhoe holding a 4 point advantage, however, a burst of 7 unanswered goals in the third term to Old Ivanhoe put the issue beyond Oakleighs reach and they slumped to a 65 point defeat. Josh Abela kicked 3 goals for Oakleigh with Chris Grant adding 2, Andrew Murray, Jack Van De Ven and Matt Aranha were among Oakleighs best.
The U/19s opened proceedings at Scammell playing host to undefeated powerhouse De La Salle and, despite a bright opening quarter, found the going tough against the ladder leaders and were over run in the final term to go down by 66 points. Anmol Malhotra was the leading goal kicker Oakleigh with 2, Kevin Baras, Jake Ford and Ryan Powell were in the best players.
Scores:
Seniors: Oakleigh 23.8.146 def Old Ivanhoe 13.16.94
Goals: Aaron Cloke 7, Trevor Bromley 6, Tim Scott 2, James Hunt 2, Dermot Cleary, Zac Mousoulis, Josh Revere, Nick Seel, Ben Still, Matt Wass.
Best: Tim Scott, Dermot Cleary, Liam Gillard, Pat Ioannidis, Aaron Cloke, Trevor Bromley
Reserves: Oakleigh 5.4.34 lt Old Ivanhoe 15.9.99
Goals: Josh Abela 3, Chris Grant 2.
Best: Chris Grant, Andrew Murray, Jack Van De Ven, Matt Aranha, Josh Abela, Andrew Weymouth
U19s: Oakleigh 7.2.44 lt De La Salle 16.14.110
Goals: Anmol Malhotra 2, Lucas Cloke, Chris Galanos, Jake Ford, Dylan Goodwill, Brodie Weymouth.
Best: Kevin Baras, Jake Ford, Ryan Powell, Koby Sikorski, Dylan Goodwill, Chris Galanos
