Amateurs finished an unhappy season falling to minor premiers Caulfield Grammarians at Scammell Reserve on Saturday in the VAFA Premier C division final round. Despite their best efforts, the Oaks couldn’t keep up with the flag favourites after a bright start gave the Krushers a 4 point lead at the first change. The second quarter, however, was all Caulfield’s as they booted 8 goals the Oakleigh’s 1 and took a stranglehold on the match with a 35 point advantage at the long break.
A spirited third quarter by Oakleigh gave the faithful some hope of an upset cutting the lead to 24 points at the last change but the Fields managed to shake off a tenacious Oaks in the last quarter to win by 44 points. Aaron Cloke led the Oaks goal kicking booting 4 with Trevor Bromley adding 3 and Tim Scott chipping in with 2. Liam Gillard, Tim Doherty and Tom Nolan were among Oakleigh’s best players.
The reserves game started badly for Oakleigh who failed to score against the wind in the first term as Caulfield slammed on 7 goals. An improved second term saw Oakleigh boot 5 straight goals to the Fields 1 and go to the main change 28 points adrift. The second half, though, belonged to Caulfield as they booted 7-10 to the Oaks 2-2 to run out victors by 66 points.
Oakleigh finished the year in ninth place and are now consigned to D1 division next season and the task of rebuilding and returning to Premier C, hopefully in 2018.
Scores:
Seniors: Oakleigh 12-17-89 lt Caulfield Grammarians 19-19-133
Goals: A.Cloke 4, T.Bromley 3, T.Scott 2, D.Cleary, L.Cloke, T.Doherty 1.
Best: T.Scott, L.Gillard, T.Doherty, T.Nolan, C.Moore, L.Cloke.
Reserves: Oakleigh 7-2-44 lt Caulfield Grammarians 15-20-110
Goals: J. Abela 2, S.Rodrigo 2, C.Pearson, Z.Thiessens, B.Weymouth 1.
Best: L.Pappon, C.Pearson, A.Murray, A.Weymouth, B.Weymouth, S.Johnstone.
