Oakleigh Amateurs claimed fourth spot on the ladder and a shot at the finals in the VAFAs Division 1 final round on Saturday at Scammell Reserve. Hosting the always dangerous Ivanhoe in a must win match, the Oaks were a little slow out of the blocks as the visitors claimed the first 2 goals of the game, any concerns held by the Krusher faithful were quickly put at ease as the Oaks, although inaccurate, kicked the next 5 goals of the quarter to take a 21 point advantage into the first change. The second term saw Ivanhoe get a case of inaccuracy in a fairly even quarter as the lead was increased by a slender 4 points to give Oakleigh a 25 point lead at the long break.

The third term belonged to the Krushers as they piled on 6 goals to the ‘Hoers 2 and went to the final change with a 52 point lead and one hand on fourth spot. An Ivanhoe fightback in the last quarter spurred the Oaks on with 12 goals booted for the quarter, 7 to Oakleigh and 5 to Ivanhoe with the Krushers finishing 61 points up and finals bound. Aaron Cloke was particularly pumped booting 8 goals for Oakleigh with Tim Scott adding 3 and Gary Bennett, Chris Grant and Josh Revere chipping in with 2 each. Jon Rutter, James Hunt and Pat Ioannidis were in the Oaks best.

The early game was a bit less dramatic than the previous week as a polished Ivanhoe proved too good a makeshift Oakleigh outfit copping the end result of injuries. The ‘Hoers got away well with a 5 goal to 1 opening term but the Oaks hit back in the second with 4 goals to trail by 25 points at the main change. Sadly, a scoreless third term by the Oaks did little to help their chances of a good finish to the season as the visitors took their advantage to 64 points at the last change and effectively wrapped up proceedings. The Krushers battled hard in the last quarter but ultimately fell by 77 points. Josh Abela was the Oaks main goalkicker with 5. Brodie Weymouth, Matt Pearson and Haiden Boyes were among the best.

The U/19s travelled to Ramsden St. Oval for a date with Fitzroy and came with the win to finish the season in third spot and the finals. In a low scoring first quarter, the Oaks managed to hold sway by 9 points at the break. A somewhat inaccurate second term by Oakleigh saw them post a 4-10 return to the ‘Roys 2-1 and go to the long break with a 30 point lead. A more accurate third quarter had the Oaks increas their advantage to 42 points at the last change and, after a pretty even last term, they emerged with a 43 point win. Izaiah Elisaia, Dylan Goodwill and Aaron Planksken each kicked 2 goals for Oakleigh with Corey Moore, Justin McCarthy and Griffin McPhee among the best.

Final Scores:
1sts: OAFC 21.19.145 v Ivanhoe 11.18.84
Goals: Aaron Cloke 8, Tim Scott 3, Gary Bennett 2, Chris Grant 2, Josh Revere 2, Trevor Bromley, James Hunt, Pat Ioannidis, Nick Seel
Best: Tim Scott, Jon Rutter, Aaron Cloke, James Hunt, Pat Ioannidis, Tom Nolan

2nds: OAFC 8.5.53 v Ivanhoe 17.18.120
Goals: Josh Abela 5, Haiden Boyes, Rod Gonzalez, Gonzo Valenzuela
Best: Josh Abela, Brodie Weymouth, Matt Pearson, Haiden Boyes, Rod Gonzalez, Ash Kitts

U19s: OAFC 11.19.85 v Fitzroy 6.5.41
Goals: Izaiah Elisaia 2, Dylan Goodwill 2, Aaron Planksken 2, Chris Galanos, Pat Kennedy, Corey Moore, Ed Standish, Calvin Toohim
Best: Aaron Planksken, Corey Moore, Justin McCarthy, Griffin McPhee, Dylan Goodwill, Chris Galanos