In a game that was crucial to Brunswick’s finals hopes, a slow start proved costly against a taller and more accurate Oakleigh outfit as they were soundly beaten by 42 points at Scammell Reserve on Saturday.

Played in ideal conditions, the first quarter was quite even in general play, but it was the Krushers who took their chances when they came, kicking the first four goals of the game, while the NOBs fluffed their lines in front of the big sticks, with a series of set shot misses. At the 22-minute mark Tom Wilson finally put one in the “G” column after a good mark in the square from a Rowan Hogenbirk bomb from the middle of the ground, but on the quarter-time siren Brunswick’s nemesis from round 2 – the Krushers’ gun full forward Luke Ashen – kicked his third to make it 5.1 to 1.4, which would prove to be a telling scoreline on the day.

Oakleigh were again fast out-of-the-blocks in the second term and after only four minutes led by 33 points, which left the NOBs to play catch-up for the remainder of the game. Three goals in quick succession – through a free to Paul Scamporlino, a clever kick on the goal line to Oscar Watt then his second from an angle – provided a ray of hope, but two quick answers restored a healthy lead to the Krushers. In a high-scoring quarter, Scamporlino slotted his second and Tas Kearney roved the pack and slammed through his first major in the seniors right on halftime, however, in between Ashen kicked a brace, to make it six for him, and the margin was 25 points.

The first goal of the third quarter was kicked after only 30 seconds by – you guessed it – the Krushers, although Scamporlino was fighting hard to keep the NOBs in the contest and snagged his third following a nice mark, but Ashen then kicked his seventh, as he was single-handedly keeping Brunswick at bay. In his first senior game for the season, Jesse Doherty provided a highlight by snapping the goal-of-the-day on the run, however, the Krushers continued have the answers with another couple, before Zephyr Hooke kicked truly from a tight angle, then Tom Wilson slotted his second. In a long quarter, the ball then lived in Brunswick’s forward half for the next 10 minutes, but they couldn’t capitalise, adding five straight behinds, which meant they still trailed by 23 points at the final change.

It barely needs to be said that Oakleigh scored the vital opening goal of the last term, franked for good measure by the next three inside five minutes to extend the margin to 47 points and blow the game apart. Scamporlino again stood tall against the onslaught with his fourth, a long set shot following some good transition from defence, before Watt kicked his third on the run. Ashen then kicked his eighth before Scamporlino grabbed himself a bag with his fifth from a classy snap around the corner.

Brunswick’s Big V squad member, Fletcher Banfield, was superb in the midfield with a mountain of possessions, while Scamporlino continued his excellent recent form. Hogenbirk was very good over four quarters, as were fellow mids Daniel Mott and Andre Jaycock. Lewis McKenzie battled manfully in defence and as second-ruck to Will Kempt, who continues to improve.

Back at Gillon Oval this Saturday in the different timeslot of midday as part of a big triple-header, Brunswick face UHS-VU as they look to atone for their close loss earlier in the season and register their sixth win. See you there!