Many of us felt it was going to be a danger game at Scammell Reserve against a side with not a lot to play for except pride. But of course clubs like Oakleigh always play with that passion and make it a tough assignment. Car access and fried hot chips gave the faithful a different taste of suburban football. But obviously the canteen hadn't catered for the Bloods throng as they were all out of pies b4 half time - who ate them all? It was blowing a northerly gale so the toss, and the subsequent first quarter were always going to be important. A boggy centre also meant the game was going to be played on the wings. The home side had first use so the defensive side of our game had to be perfect. It became apparent that it had been decided that the best form of defence was attack because we played with lots of run into the wind, with the midfielders getting plenty of the footy. Frogga in his 100th game was clearly in for a big one, while Laz and Case were early winners on their respective wings. Perhaps not surprisingly the Oakleigh goals came from long shots, including one from just inside North Road. But goals to Harro and Al (Alexander to his mother) Johnston ensured we were well placed at the first change. But of course the efforts in the first quarter would mean little if we didn't back it up with a few goals in the second. Step up Vossy! Four goals for the quarter, 26 attempts at mark of the year and it was just about game over. The run was still there, Case was still grazing on his own, Hammer and Roberts were showing their customary excellent form while Corey Millard and Comby were ensuring the few Oakleigh forward forays were met with the required resistance. So at the (lack of) pie break, we went in with a commanding 38 point lead after a seven goal to zip second quarter. The message from the cockroach was very clear - keep working hard and the rewards will come. The second half opened with a couple of early Oakleigh goals but that very much the exception. The boys were still hungry for a scrap and kept up their aggressive running and attack at the footy. Importantly we were winning the ball out of the middle and this was decisive when kicking into the draft. Oakleigh ended up kicking three goals for the quarter but we more than matched that with three of our own. We went into the last quarter with a very handy seven goal lead and while we marginally won the last quarter, maybe we could have extended the lead a little further. But Oakleigh, to their credit were having a real crack. Al Johnston was still proving very effective at Centre Half Forward, while Dougy was using that unusual kicking style very effectively. We managed to run out comfortable winners in the end and with enough of a percentage booster to claim second spot on the ladder, albeit by the smallest of margins. So for the final round we take on Old Essendon at McKinnon. As the ladder below shows, we are currently second, with St. Kevins, Old Ivanhoe and Uni Blacks all in the mix to determine the final order. St Kevins play Rovers at Rovers, OI play St Bernards, while Blacks take on Oakleigh at home. Of course the first objective is to win on Saturday and afterwards it will probably come down to percentage to determine the final order. It is shaping up as a terrific final round of footy in a competition that has been close all year. OAKLEIGH 3 4 3 6 6 7 9 12 66 OLD HAILEYBURY 2 4 9 8 12 13 15 19 109 OLD HAILEYBURY Goal Kickers: B. Voss 5, A. Johnston 3, L. Siapantas 2, F. Mohammad , D. Mason , A. Brown , N. Harrison , S. Fitzgerald Best Players: F. Mohammad, A. Johnston, B. Voss, C. Millard, A. Brown, M. Douglas 1 OLD CAREY 17 13 4 0 0 0 1830 1147 159.55 52 2 OLD HAILEYBURY 17 11 6 0 0 0 1661 1353 122.76 44 3 ST KEVINS 17 11 6 0 0 0 1622 1328 122.14 44 4 OLD IVANHOE 17 11 6 0 0 0 1514 1268 119.40 44 5 UNI BLACKS 17 11 6 0 0 0 1445 1260 114.68 44 6 ST BERNARDS 17 9 8 0 0 0 1533 1548 99.03 36 7 OAKLEIGH 17 9 8 0 0 0 1528 1612 94.79 36 8 HAMPTON ROVERS 17 6 11 0 0 0 1614 1691 95.45 24 9 OLD ESSENDON 17 2 15 0 0 0 1227 1790 68.55 8 10 MHSOB 17 2 15 0 0 0 1107 2114 52.37 8 ________________________________________ The Reserves went down to Oakleigh in the early game on the weekend. Sec continued his fine form while Gilly and Macca never stopped trying. The second quarter probably cost the boys a closer result when the home side were able to kick three goals into the wind. OAKLEIGH 5 6 8 7 11 11 14 13 97 OLD HAILEYBURY 0 2 2 4 2 4 4 5 29 OLD HAILEYBURY Goal Kickers: T. Gill , J. Bayard , T. Tyrell , M. Brewer Best Players: M. Seccull, D. McCormick, P. Silberer, S. Erikson, T. Gill, L. Skelton ________________________________________ The U/19s were also up against the elements. With a full squad the boys were more than competitive against AJAX. But there was a feeling that the conditions suited the home side more than us visitors and they were able to play the game on their terms. AJAX 5 4 8 8 8 10 11 11 77 OLD HAILEYBURY 3 0 4 0 6 2 6 5 41 Next week the guys take on Hampton Rovers in their lst game for the year and a game which is quite winnable if they play with the same spirit. ________________________________________ LAST HOME GAME LUNCHEON We will be having a luncheon at McKinnon for the last home game for the season. There won't be too many formalities but just an excuse to look back at the home and away season and hopefully look forward to finals footy. Once again the boys on the BBQ and the Ladies in the kitchen will be serving up their finest. For non members/sponsors, it is $25ph and we look forward to everyone coming along. KIDDIES IN MAGENTA AND BLACK We encourage all parents to bring the little uns in the club colors this Saturday. They will be able to lead the side out if wearing the famous magenta and black. While I think No 35 is the most popular, there are plenty of Ones and twos going around so it would be great to have them all along.
Last Modified on 13/01/2011 23:03