EASTERN Ranges have kept their premiership defence alive with a 16-point win over Oakleigh in Sunday’s quarter-final clash at Mars Stadium. The victors took control during the middle part of the game, building a five-point lead to half time and building on it with their rampant third term run.

Bottom-age star Baxter Sruk was best on ground with 27 disposals and three goals as Eastern’s midfielders racked up possessions around the ground. The result sees the Ranges progress to a preliminary final matchup against Dandenong Stingrays, once again in Ballarat on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Oakleigh’s unlikely finals run comes to an end having qualified on the back of a terrific Wildcard upset over Western. The Chargers’ talls shone in each third of the ground, with bottom-age defenders Zane Adams and Oliver Bond forming a particularly formidable partnership of late.

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 2.2 | 4.5 | 6.8 | 9.13 (67)
EASTERN RANGES 1.1 | 5.4 | 10.4 | 13.5 (83)

GOALS:
Oakleigh Chargers: N. Bibile 2, A. Fogarty 2, A. Giampa, G. Lawford, J. Leach, H. McCullough, F. Woolhouse
Eastern Ranges: B. Sruk 3, Z. Antonellos 2, H. Chapman, M. Gillan, R. Ham, R. Hoffman, J. Knapp, R. McConnell, B. McMillan, B. Wilson

BEST:
Oakleigh Chargers: J. Leach, O. Bond, A. Fogarty, H. Timms, Z. Adams, N. Hanegraaf
Eastern Ranges: B. Sruk, S. Devers, A. Spencer, J. Knapp, C. Nash, R. Ham

OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:

#9 Harper McCullough
Forward/Midfielder | 176cm | 29/05/2009

Stats: 18 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal

McCullough was his combative self on Sunday, once again starting as a high forward before eventually being unleashed into midfield. The bottom-ager worked hard to connect up the ground where he used his smarts and slick hands to help facilitate transitional play. He seemed to enjoy battles against fellow 2027 prospect Baxter Sruk and proved his worth as a midfielder in the second half by bringing the ball forward in more menacing fashion. The next step for McCullough will be to finish off with cleaner and more direct kicking heading inside 50.

#11 Jai Leach
Ruck | 198cm | 24/11/2007

Stats: 16 disposals, 17 hitouts, 9 clearances, 1 goal

Leach put together arguably his best and most complete game yet while still showing flashes of his freakish talent. The over-ager’s raw athleticism was most impressive, leaping high in the ruck and having the agility to step around opponents. On the several occasions that he grabbed the ball out of the air, his turn of speed caught the eye. Leach also used his pace to chase and hunt the loose ball. His second quarter goal was magnificent, latching onto the bouncing ball before bursting past a defender and slotting home on the run. With a bit more strength and craft, he could be anything.

#20 Archie Fogarty
Key Forward | 193cm | 06/01/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals

Fogarty has become Oakleigh’s focal point up forward and played with that kind of authority on Sunday. He flew confidently for his marks and showcased a strong set of hands to bring down the ball in pack situations or under pressure on the lead. Reward came in the form of goals during the first and final terms, although there were a few more chances in between. Fogarty’s ability to provide a connective target up the ground complimented the scoring threat he was closer to goal.

#32 Oliver Bond
Tall Defender | 190cm | 06/02/2009

Stats: 15 disposals, 7 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Bond was an intercept marking machine on Sunday, reeling in several impressive grabs off opposition kicks. He held firm in one-on-one battles but caught the eye when flying third-up, attacking the aerial ball with vigour and plucking it cleanly at the top of his reach. The bottom-ager’s playreading was defiant of his age, while his composure was just as high level. Bond distributed the ball calmly by hand and foot, never being rushed nor putting a foot wrong throughout the day. He’s an exciting intercept-rebound double threat for next year.

#48 Zane Adams
Key Defender | 197cm | 17/03/2009

Stats: 10 disposals, 2 marks, 5 rebound 50s

Fresh off a monster performance against one of next year’s leading prospects, Adams once again held firm down back. His first big moment was an outstanding intercept mark just inside defensive 50, attacking the ball hard and leaping over the top of the contest. He provided aerial assistance throughout the day and was just as capable of mopping up at ground level, proving a reliable figure under pressure. Adams’ ability to split several one-on-one contests against the rotating opposition ruck was impressive, highlighting his competitiveness and defensive craft.

#63 Hugo Timms
Key Forward/Ruck | 195cm | 17/12/2009

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 5 clearances

Another of Oakleigh’s promising bottom-age talls, Timms provided ample fold in the ruck and a mobile target up forward. The Northern Territory native competed hard in the air and remained involved on the follow-up, showing great poise and agility for his size. As a forward, he would often present up the ground and quickly wheel around to send the ball long inside 50. With a strong frame and good work rate to apply himself in each phase, Timms owns his space in each role.

EASTERN RANGES:

#2 Baxter Sruk
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 18/07/2009

Stats: 27 disposals, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 3 goals

Sruk plays at an unbelievably high level so consistently and continued his monster run of form on Sunday. The bottom-age star was most dangerous in the attacking phase, showcasing elite transitional running to help surge the ball from end to end. He was clean and poised in the clinches while using his favoured left foot to perfection in front of goal, sinking three majors to compound his impact from midfield. Sruk’s ability to spread and cover ground also saw him drop back to accumulate in the defensive half, chipping away to find a path forward. He’s built for finals.

#7 Jordan Knapp
Midfielder/Forward | 179cm | 05/01/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 10 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal

Knapp was among the key catalysts for Eastern’s decisive third quarter, facilitating plenty of transitional play with his slick hands and smart running. The skipper looked sharp with ball in hand, often emerging from packs untouched and popping up with uncontested possessions in all parts of the ground. His decision making by foot was a little shaky but he fed teammates effectively by hand amid some seriously good combination play through the middle of Mars Stadium.

#8 Archie Spencer
Midfielder/Forward | 181cm | 24/09/2008

Stats: 27 disposals, 7 marks, 4 clearances, 11 inside 50s

Spencer seemed to do everything with intent on Sunday, once again running rampant in midfield. The powerful and tough ball-winner swooped on each ground ball and used his explosive first few steps to clear the packs, although tended to blaze away by foot at times. Despite that, Spencer’s ability to drive his legs and launch deep inside 50 was an asset. He was neat by hand and hunted the opposition to ensure nothing came easy in the cut and thrust of stoppage play.

#14 Zac Antonellos
Forward/Midfielder | 181cm | 04/04/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals

It was a mixed bag for Antonellos on Sunday, as he showed his patented blend of toughness and tricks. The wiry utility rode contact well and applied heavy pressure around the contest while remaining clean when winning his own ball. He did his best to impact the scoreboard, finishing with two goals but spraying a few chances as his eyes lit up in a few panicky attempts. Still, he’s the type of player you want on your side in the big moments.

#16 Harrison Chapman
Wing/Forward | 189cm | 06/01/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 8 marks, 1 goal

Another transitional weapon at Eastern’s disposal, Chapman did his best work when streaming forward into open grass. The athletic wingman timed his runs to perfection, waltzing past on the overlap or peeling off ahead of the ball to help drive it into attack. He snapped a classy goal in the second term and covered the ground well to accumulate in the back half, although remains a little patchy across four quarters. It is clear, though, that Chapman’s traits are suited to his current role on the outside.

#19 Sam Devers
Defender | 189cm | 27/03/2008

Stats: 26 disposals, 8 marks, 6 rebound 50s

Having played an instrumental role in the latter stages of Eastern’s Wildcard Round upset, Devers carried that form into this game. He was his side’s main distributor from defence, racking up plenty of ball and using it effectively by foot. The most impressive part of that was his willingness to move it on quickly, never resting on his laurels or allowing Oakleigh to set up down the line. Devers’ speed and attacking instincts drew him further afield where he could intercept and reload, shifting gears seamlessly throughout the day. He’s a great combination player on the rebound.

#30 Charlie Nash
Key Defender | 193cm | 20/05/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 5 marks

Nash seemed to grow in confidence as the game wore on, showcasing his usual athleticism with added acts of strength and physicality. A heavy tackle late in the third term led to a brief scuffle and he carried that aggression into the final term. Playing on a range of tall opponents, Nash looked comfortable playing off the back shoulder and used his speed to close in on the contest. He can continue to work on honing his strength in those one-on-one battles, but is effective as a loose.