Pioneers sink in the Square mud

OAKLEIGH charged to an emphatic 59-point victory against the Bendigo Bank Pioneers in the AFL Victoria TAC Cup under-18s football clash on Saturday at Golden Square.In a match that was crucial to the finals prospects of both clubs, Oakleigh dominated in many areas.Despite the heavy rain and greasy conditions, the Chargers set up wave after wave of attacks throughout the first half.Oakleigh’s long-kicking game, numbers at the contest, and teamwork continually put the Pioneers under pressure.The Chargers were first to goal through Jayden Hoegel in the sixth minute.A Bendigo defence led by Macorna’s Matthew Ladson, Donald’s Lucas Anderson and Irymple’s Brad Eagle worked hard to cut off many of the Chargers’ attacks.Back in the Pioneers’ line-up after a successful national championships campaign with Victoria Country, Eaglehawk’s Kallen Geary trapped the ball brilliantly on the half-back flank on the scoreboard wing.Geary’s pass went to Mildura’s Brian Fenton, who in turn kicked to Mitchell Bruns from the Cohuna Kangas, for the Pioneers’ first goal in the 21st minute.Consecutive goals by the Chargers put them in front by 15 points at quarter-time.In the second term, Oakleigh scored 3.1 to a point.Andrew Gaff’s goal on the run was followed by Oakleigh teammates snapping goals from the many packs that formed.The Pioneers were hamstrung for most of the second half, with Martin Pettifer (cork) and Dustin Martin (ill) unable to play on.Key defender Julian Lockwood had also withdrawn from the clash because of illness.Oakleigh’s pressure never let up in the second half.A soccered goal by Hoegel was followed by Justin Van Unen’s snapshot to lead 55-8.The Pioneers rarely went inside 50m, as Oakleigh played the basics so much better.Van Unen soccered another goal as Oakleigh kicked on to lead 69-8 at three quarter-time.To the Pioneers’ credit, they fought on to win the final quarter.After starring in defence in many of this season’s matches, Anderson went forward and kicked the Pioneers’ second goal of the contest.At the final siren, Oakleigh led 11.11 (77) to 2.6 (18).Pioneers’ coach Mark Ellis said it was a disappointing performance on a day the team had so much to play for.“We just didn’t adapt to wet-weather football,” Ellis said.“Oakleigh fielded its strongest team for the year, and played the basics so much better than us.“The basics you are taught from Auskick up just weren’t done often enough by our players,” said Ellis.A positive sign for the Pioneers was the play of Ladson in an on-ball role.“Matt has worked really hard in defence all season, attacks the footy, and played well all match,” said Ellis.Bendigo’s best included Echuca’s Jordan Williams, Eaglehawk’s Matt Gilmore, Calivil United’s Matt Smith, Kyneton’s Ben Saliba, and Eaglehawk’s Kallen Geary.The Pioneers travel to Coburg next Sunday to take on the Calder Cannons from 11am.