Oak Park bounces back after two straight losses

Oak Park is back on the winners list for the first time in a month after a stirring victory over Taylors Lakes with a key factor returning to the Roos’ game style.

Oak Park coach Todd Clark believes his side have rediscovered their identity.

After back-to-back losses, the Roos got back on the winners list with an 11.12 (78) to 6.12 (48) victory over Taylors Lakes.

It’s a result which moved Clark’s side one game clear in the race for the Essendon District league division 2 double chance.

While it was important to get the four points, it was the way his side went about it which impressed the Oak Park mentor the most.

“We just started running again,” Clark said.

“The last few weeks when we were depleted, we were just stagnant and when that’s the case it’s easy to defend against and makes it hard for us to score.

“We had five guys — Daniel Rajab, Jesse Hotchkin, Ryan Smith, Hirsi Twomey and Scott Gilliland — come back into the side and some of those added some height which was key.

Ryan Smith returned for Oak Park on Saturday. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It’s pretty challenging at the moment with our lists, there’s unavailabilities for different reasons and every club is facing the same thing.

“It’s important you can bank those wins when you’re going through a bit of a tough period.”

Among the better performers for Oak Park was off-season recruit Clayton McCartney.

The former Rumbalara and Woorinen forward booted four goals in a best on ground display while Jack Kennedy booted three.

“He’s pretty sharp,” Clark said of his key forward.

“He is the cousin of Taj McCartney (who didn’t play at the weekend) and he has fitted in without any issues. Clayton likes to be that deep forward and have space to make the most of his opportunities.

“There have been times where we’ve thrown him in the middle, along with Blair Cronin because of the clientele we’ve had available.”

Oak Park is hopeful of having all three McCartney boys back on the park together again soon.

Oak Park will next turn its attention to a clash with the winless East Sunbury to kick start its second half of the season.

Despite the Thunder sitting at the foot of the ladder, Clark isn’t taking anything for granted.

“If you’re a little bit off any team can beat you,” he said.

“They’ve got some real quality and we won’t be taking them lightly. We don’t see any game as easy.

“I think the standard of Division 2 has considerably jumped over the past couple of years.”

Taylors Lakes will look to bounce back against Hadfield.