By RORY O’NEILL
OAK Park was on a mission.
They needed to win by at least 70 points to secure fourth spot in Essendon Ford Division 1.
They started with a rush, kicking eight unanswered goals in the first quarter, all to individual goalkickers.
At the other end of the ground, Matthew Morelli made his presence felt but was unable to hang on to his marks.
By the end of the quarter, Oak Park were well on the way to secure the fourth spot, leading 8.1-49 to 0.3-3.
With Cameron Hare and Dean Clare on fire in the second quarter the Kangaroos had put 11 majors on the board before James Vistarini was able to score the only goal for the quarter for Taylors Lakes.
The visitors continued to miss targets by foot, whereas Oak Park’s foot passing was deadly accurate.
At the major break, the Oakers were on track as they led their opposition by 70 points, 12.8-80 to 1.4-10.
Taylors Lakes began to get more of the centre clearance breaks and started to restore some pride after half time.
Vistarini was everywhere, kicking another four goals in the quarter, whilst at the other end, Travis Anderson was roving well and kicking goals.
When the players changed for the final time ends, Oak Park led 18.9-117 to Taylors Lakes 5.7-37.
Ruckman Rhys Bloomfield continued to dominate for the home side.
Sonny Briz provided a lot of grunt for the Lions, but with Anderson clear and Hare converting, the Kangas were able to put on five goals to the Lions’ 3.3 for the quarter.
With a final score of 23.11-149 to 9.7-61, Oak Park completed its mission.
Their outstanding victory put them into fourth place ahead of Hillside by slightly more than one per cent.
After the game, an elated coach Ben Chapman confirmed that the difference between the two teams on the day was that his boys “had something to play for”, but he was impressed with how the opposition played out the match.
He believes that for Oak Park to stay in the race for the flag, they need to play consistent football without lapses and make sure that they’re not overawed by the occasion.
Taylors Lakes coach Sam Tankard was disappointed with his team’s performance on the day, but was full of praise for James Vistarini, both during the match and throughout the season.
He said that given his team’s salary budget, he was hoping to achieve somewhere between six and eight wins for the season.
His team ended up winning six matches, but he was pleased with how well his younger players had developed.
OAK PARK | 23.11-149
Best: T. Anderson 5, D. Clare 5, C. Hare 4, J. Valentino 2, R. Bloomfield 2, R. Harris, J. Pascu, B. Cox, D. Rajab, B. Cronin
Goals: D. Clare, C. Hare, J. Pascu, R. Bloomfield, T. Anderson, J. Valentino
TAYLORS LAKES | 9.7-61
Best: J. Vistarini, S. Briz, C. Monaco, N. Kennedy
Goals: J. Vistarini 5, M. Morelli, C. Tripodi, D. Walachowski, N. Kennedy
