Oakleigh Amateurs went into last weekend with two teams, the seniors and the U/19s, playing in the finals and had high hopes of at least one of them making it through to next week. The U/19s, after finishing third, took on Hampton Rovers at Scammell Reserve on Saturday and started well enough going into quarter time with a 7 point lead. From there, things did not go to plan as the Rovers took control and dominated proceedings as they piled on 5 goals to 1 in the second to turn the deficit into a 19 point lead at the long break.

The second half held little joy for the Krushers as Hampton continued their march and ran over the hapless Oaks who had no answers and were swept aside by 46 points in a disappointing finish to a season that promised much. Dylan Goodwill kicked 2 goals for Oakleigh with Justin McCarthy, Harry Boontjies and Sam Carney among the best.

On Sunday, the action moved to Sportscover Arena at Elsternwick Park where the seniors took part in their first final since 2009. Playing PEGS, the Oaks were underdogs and not given much chance, especially with no recognised ruckmen due to injury. However, the Krushers were always going to give it their best shot and pushed the Bombers early before a couple of late goals gave PEGS a 5 point lead at the first change. The Oaks continued to attack but PEGS always seemed to have an answer and went to long break with a 19 point advantage.

The Krushers managed to cut that to 12 points at the last change but the effort took its toll with captain Gary Bennett limping off and not taking any further part and ruckman Josh Abela nursing a damaged shoulder and some others simply had nothing left in the tank and the Bombers took full advantage of this and piled on 12 goals in the last quarter to blow the Krushers away by 73 points. Aaron Cloke and Tim Scott were the Oaks leading goalkickers with 3 each and Jim Hunt, Chris Pearson and Liam Gillard were in the best players.

Final Scores:

Seniors: Oakleigh 10-10-70 lt PEGS 22-11-143.
Goals: A.Cloke, T.Scott 3, C.Grant, J.Murphy, C.Pearson, J.Rutter 1.
Best: J.Hunt, C.Pearson, A.Cloke, L.Gillard, T.Scott, J.Revere.

U/19s: Oakleigh 3-7-25 lt Hampton Rovers 10-11-71.
Goals: D.Goodwill 2, C.Moore 1.
Best: J.McCarthy, H.Boontjies, S.Carney, D.Goodwill, W.Harris, J.Pearce.