Krushers not just making up numbers

Posted on - Latest News, Featured, Division 1 Men's

Sig Arness

And what a beautiful set of numbers they were for the Krushers in the year’s farewell appearance at Scammell Reserve. An eight goal first term to put Therry Penola out of the contest, nine goals and the season ton for Aaron Cloke, and their tenth win in eleven starts. The jump from fourth to third is largely inconsequential, although it would have enhanced their already sky-high confidence. The Lions will have some work to do if they are to reverse the result in Sunday’s cut-throat elimination final.

In line with expectations, the Ormond v Hampton Rovers clash was another close one, and did little to suggest one or the other has to start favourite on Saturday. Elsewhere, Brunswick NOBS and Kew ended their campaigns on a high, while Preston Bullants played as if they couldn’t wait for theirs to be over. Prahran Assumption did what they had to do, but would have been gutted to realise that’s often not enough when you leave your fate in other hands.

Having come this far, the Oakleigh and Aaron Cloke juggernaut was never going to be impeded, as both team and individual blasted Therry Penola off the park in a blistering early statement of intent in front of home fans. After kicking nine and hitting the century with something to spare, the Krushers’ spearhead could not be denied man of the match honours, although Liam Gillard ran him close. Ten others also hit the scoreboard in a rampant, 106-point cakewalk over a team many thought might have their measure. Only Brock Egglestone hit multiples, Liam Flanagan and Daniel McCracken tried valiantly to stem the tide, but the Lions were left licking their wounds and searching for answers that may lead to retribution.

One is left to ponder how many cards were played and how many remained close to the chest in the dress rehearsal over at Gunn Reserve, where the result between the top two held no significant ramifications. The Hampton Rovers’ unerring accuracy kept them in front for most of the day, until Ormond applied the “wet sail” principle, registering six of the last nine goals. Eight points was the margin, eight also being the differential they held in scoring shots. There were plenty of multiple scorers, being Sam Mason (4) and Robert Chisholm (3) for the winners, while Anthony Folino and Kyle Pinto snared three each for the visitors. The Monders’ Dae Szydlik and Lloyd Anrep were named their team’s best, Oscar Roberts and Ben Kneebush featured prominently for Hampton Rovers.

On the back of a standout game and four majors from the in-form Nathan Sambevski, Kew gradually drew away from West Brunswick in another fixture where nothing was hinging on the outcome. Brin Duggan was again active for the Bears, who can at least take some positives from the back half of their year. The Westies found themselves 32 points shy of another win, despite the best endeavours of Bill Irving and Craig Mitchell.

It was all to no avail for Prahran Assumption who, as predicted, dismissed Ivanhoe in perfunctory fashion to the tune of 75 points at Toorak Park. It was the other half of the equation – the hope for a miracle at Scammell Reserve – that failed to materialise and therefore sounded the death knell on the Two Blues’ finals dreams. Tom Quinn and Jack Matherson (also 5 goals) excelled but could do no more once it was out of their control. Nathan Valkanis and Lachie Bown carried on their strong but ultimately forlorn form for the Hoes.

Preston Bullants’ disastrous second half of the season continued at Ruthven Reserve, where they handed the Division 2-bound Brunswick NOBS their third win in an eight point upset. Nick Burgin and Anthony Argento were the catalysts for NOBS, for whom Jed Carey and promising teenager Francis Evans booted three each. Liam Carter slotted four and Isaac Trickey was lively for the Bullants, who must now be wondering where it all went wrong after such a promising start, then failing in seven of their last nine games.

PREVIEW – FINALS WEEK 1

We certainly don’t have to delve too far back to get a form line on the two finals up for decision this weekend – only a couple of days in fact. What a strange quirk the random draw has delivered when we get immediate replays of two match-ups! So who has learned lessons? Where can gaps and deficiencies be bridged? Quite often the advantage lies with the vanquished who can analyse and implement areas of improvement, whereas the winners are under pressure to replicate their performance.

Saturday – Elsternwick Park

Hampton Rovers (1st) v Ormond (2nd)

There has been zero between these sides all year, no other evidence required than to go back to their classic draw in Round 8. So an attempt to construct a reasoned prognostication of this outcome cannot rely on anything factual. It may come down to who desires the week’s rest more, or – perhaps more relevant – who least likes the prospect of a possible do or die confrontation with the red-hot Krushers the following week. Mouth-watering is an understatement, and there will be plenty on hand at the competition headquarters in witness.

Sunday – Bill Lawry Oval

Oakleigh (3rd) v Therry Penola (4th)

Oakleigh carry with them the form and the hitherto almost irresistible momentum. Based on that, they will saddle up as warm favourites. If the Lions can come up with a plan to stop or even limit the output and influence of centurion Aaron Cloke, they will have made some inroads into at least mitigating, if not reversing, last Saturday’s result. But 100 plus points is a lot to claw back, and the Krushers, with the likes of Zach Pearce-Thomas, Lucas Cloke, Liam Gillard and Corey Moore, are by no means a one man band. Therry Penola will need all available Bannisters and Egglestones, plus Daniel Tadinac and Liam Flanagan at their best, to stay in the premiership race.

Photo: Mark Chapple