KRUSHERS WAYWARD BUT WINNING.

Oakleigh senior mens team, sitting fifth on the ladder, played host to last placed Whitefriars on Saturday at Scammell Reserve in the D1 ninth round and managed to put the Krusher faithful through some worrying times on what was a perfect day. Starting well, the Krushers had 2 goals on the board quickly and were looking ominous when they seemed to switch off and let the ‘Friars dictate the terms of engagement. The visitors relished the situation, booting 6 goals for the quarter, and went to the first change with a 17 point advantage. The Oaks shook off their lethargy in the second term booting 5-5 to the ‘Friars 2 behinds to take a 16 point lead into the main break.

Another 5 goals to 2 in the third had Oakleigh 34 points in front at the last change and in control, but Whitefriars kept coming cutting the margin to 24 points at one stage before the Oaks settled and kicked 36 points clear at the bell. The difference quite possibly should have been somewhat greater had the Krushers

kicked a little straighter in the last term and had a better return than 2-11. Trevor Bromley, Pat Ioannidis and Tim Scott each kicked 3 goals for Oakleigh with Aaron Cloke adding 2. Gary Bennett, Andrew Murray and Chris Pearson were in the Oaks best.

The early game was a pretty even affair with never more than a few points separating the two sides at each interval. A wayward Whitefriars took first quarter honours with a 5 point lead at the first change, the Oaks, by virtue of a 6 goal second term, went to the long break with a 6 point advantage. Not to be outdone, Whitefriars hit back in the third and took a 2 point lead into the last break. The Krushers had had enough of these tit-for-tat shenanigans in the final quarter and upped the intensity banging home another 6 goals in the last to win by 26 points. Veteran Josh Revere put in a BOG performance booting 5 goals for Oakleigh with Rod Gonzalez and Zac Thiessens adding 3 apiece, Chris Grant and Josh Abela chipped in with 2 each. Matt Pearson, Andrew Weymouth and Ash Kitts were

among the Krushers best.

The womens team went to Centenary Park East and a date with SBMT/St.Peters AFC. After trailing by a goal at the first break, the Oaks hit back to level the scores at half-time. A huge third quarter effort saw the Krushers boot 5 goals to nil and take a stranglehold on the match at the last change. Another strong last quarter by the Oaks kept the hosts to 1-2 as they added 2 goals to run out victors by 35 points. Stephanie Wood led the Krushers goalkicking with 3 , Ella Madigan and Casey Morris added 2 each with Adrienne Ringin, Crystal Van and Bonnie Nolan among the best players.

The U/19s travelled to Hampton to take on Hampton Rovers and the Oaks were a bit slow out of the blocks managing only 2 goals to the Rovers 7 by half-time. A better second half saw the Krushers keep the home side goalless in the third term as they cut the deficit to 18 points at the last change but a wayward final term cost the Oaks in the end as they booted 2-7 to 1-2 to fall 7 points short. Mina Farid kicked 2 goals for Oakleigh with Will Harris, Chris Galanos and Harry Bootjes among the best.

Final Scores:

Seniors: Oakleigh 15.23.113 def Whitefriars 11.11.77
Goals: Trevor Bromley 3, Pat Ioannidis 3, Tim Scott 3, Aaron Cloke 2, James Hunt, Leroy Moeller, Chris Pearson, Jon Rutter
Best: Pat Ioannidis, Gary Bennett, Andrew Murray, Chris Pearson, Trevor Bromley, Adam Matthiesson
Reserves: Oakleigh 17.11.113 def Whitefriars 13.9.87
Goals: Josh Revere 5, Rod Gonzalez 3, Zac Thiessens 3, Chris Grant 2, Josh Abela 2, Evan Lukas, Nathan Miller
Best: Josh Revere, Matt Pearson, Zac Thiessens, Andrew Weymouth, Brodie Weymouth, Ash Kitts
U19s: Oakleigh 6.14.50 lt Hampton Rovers 8.9.57
Goals: Mina Farid 2, Will Harris, Tim O’Donohue, Tom Gillard, Ed Standish
Best: Mina Farid, Will Harris, Chris Galanos, Harry Boontjes, Hayden Everett, Justin McCarthy
Womens: Oakleigh 10.3.63 v SBMT/St Peters 4.4.28
Goals: Stephanie Wood 3, Ella Madigan 2, Casey Morris 2, Jasmine Bellastrin, Cassie Bethune, Meghan Walkden
Best: Adrienne Ringin, Crystal Vann, Bonnie Nolan, Jasmine Bellastrin, Cassie Bethune, Laura Walkden