Oakleigh wound up their 2014 campaign on Saturday hosting premiership aspirants Monash Blues at Scammell Reserve. Hopeful of finishing the season on a high note, the Krushers went on the attack early but the goal-kicking woes that have dogged the team nearly all year also surfaced early with the Oaks going to the first change with 1-8 on the board and 7 points in arrears. With the breeze favouring the golf course end, the Krushers continued to attack and began find the target but after hitting the lead they began to spray their shots again and after 4-8 took an 11 point(instead of a 10 goal) lead into the long break.

The Blues came out after half-time full of run and ripped the advantage back from a bewildered Oakleigh slamming on 8 goals to the Krushers 1 and went into the final quarter with a 32 point lead. But Oakleigh, with last use of the breeze, hit back but couldn’t hit the target and wasted their chance of causing the upset with another wayward display in front of goal. Despite having most of the play and scoring opportunities, the Oaks booted 3-8 in the last to the Blues 2-4 and lost by 22 points finishing the season in sixth position. Aaron Cloke booted 5 goals for Oakleigh with Andrew Mase, Liam Gillard and Gary Bennett among the best players.

In the early game, a brave but undermanned Oakleigh took it up to their more fancied opponents but, with only one player on the bench, couldn’t maintain the necessary pressure and fell short by 11 points after a spirited last quarter effort. Tom Golik booted 3 goals with Adam Mathiesson adding 2. James Farandha, Corey Moore and Simon Way, in his 200th game, were in Oakleigh’s best.

Down at Boss James Reserve, the U/19s took on Hampton Rovers and after a bright start where they kept heir hosts to one goal for the first half went off the boil in the second half adding only 2 goals to the Rovers 5 to lose by 6 points in a disappointing finish and a dull day for Oakleigh. Jake Benoiton booted 4 goals for Oakleigh with Luke Pappon, Michael Tate and Nick DiCioccio were in Oakleigh’s best. Having finished second, the young Krushers now take on Ormond in the second semi final on Saturday for the right to go through to the grand final.

The Oakleigh Amateur Football Club presentation night will be held on October 3rd at Merrimu Receptions in Chadstone.

Contact the club for details or visit the clubs website at oakleighafc.com.au.

Final Scores:

Seniors: Oakleigh 9.27.81 lt Monash 15.13.103

Goals: Aaron Cloke 5, Austin Deneys, Josh Paola, Tim Scott, Steve Tolongs
Best: Andrew Mase, Liam Gillard, Aaron Cloke, Gary Bennett, Liam Hard, Dermot Cleary

Reserves: Oakleigh 7.7.49 lt Monash 9.6.60

Goals: Tommy Golik 3, Adam Mathiesson 2, Chris Lavery, Nathan Miller
Best: James Farandha, Corey Moore, Simon Way, Aaron Binns, Tommy Golik, James Connellan

U/19s: Oakleigh 6.5.41 lt Hampton Rovers 6.11.47

Goals: Jake Benoiton 4, Nick Di Cioccio, Michael Tate
Best: Luke Pappon, Michael Tate, Nick Di Cioccio, Jake Benoiton, Sahil Bhanwal, Tim Michael