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<\/a> and Oliver Bond<\/a> forming a particularly formidable partnership of late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n OAKLEIGH CHARGERS 2.2 | 4.5 | 6.8 | 9.13 (67) GOALS: BEST:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n OAKLEIGH CHARGERS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #9 <\/strong>Harper McCullough<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>18 disposals, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #11 <\/strong>Jai Leach<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>16 disposals, 17 hitouts, 9 clearances, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leach put together arguably his best and most complete game yet while still showing flashes of his freakish talent. The over-ager\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #20 <\/strong>Archie Fogarty<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>11 disposals, 5 marks, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fogarty has become Oakleigh\u2019s 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\u2019s ability to provide a connective target up the ground complimented the scoring threat he was closer to goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #32 <\/strong>Oliver Bond<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 7 marks, 5 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s 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\u2019s an exciting intercept-rebound double threat for next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #48 <\/strong>Zane Adams<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>10 disposals, 2 marks, 5 rebound 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fresh off a monster performance against one of next year\u2019s 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\u2019 ability to split several one-on-one contests against the rotating opposition ruck was impressive, highlighting his competitiveness and defensive craft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #63 <\/strong>Hugo Timms<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 4 marks, 4 tackles, 5 clearances<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EASTERN RANGES:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n #2 <\/strong>Baxter Sruk<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>27 disposals, 5 marks, 5 clearances, 3 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #7 <\/strong>Jordan Knapp<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>27 disposals, 10 marks, 5 tackles, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Knapp was among the key catalysts for Eastern\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #8 <\/strong>Archie Spencer<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>27 disposals, 7 marks, 4 clearances, 11 inside 50s<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #14 <\/strong>Zac Antonellos<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>15 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 2 goals<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n #16 <\/strong>Harrison Chapman<\/a> Stats: <\/strong>17 disposals, 8 marks, 1 goal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another transitional weapon at Eastern\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EASTERN RANGES 1.1 | 5.4 | 10.4 | 13.5 (83)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oakleigh Chargers: <\/strong>N. Bibile 2, A. Fogarty 2, A. Giampa, G. Lawford, J. Leach, H. McCullough, F. Woolhouse
Eastern Ranges: <\/strong>B. Sruk 3, Z. Antonellos 2, H. Chapman, M. Gillan, R. Ham, R. Hoffman, J. Knapp, R. McConnell, B. McMillan, B. Wilson<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oakleigh Chargers:<\/strong> J. Leach, O. Bond, A. Fogarty, H. Timms, Z. Adams, N. Hanegraaf
Eastern Ranges: <\/strong>B. Sruk, S. Devers, A. Spencer, J. Knapp, C. Nash, R. Ham<\/p>\n\n\n\nOakleigh Chargers<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div>Eastern Ranges<\/h5>
<\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
Forward\/Midfielder | 176cm | 29\/05\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruck | 198cm | 24\/11\/2007<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Forward | 193cm | 06\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tall Defender | 190cm | 06\/02\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Defender | 197cm | 17\/03\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Key Forward\/Ruck | 195cm | 17\/12\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 181cm | 18\/07\/2009<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 179cm | 05\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Midfielder\/Forward | 181cm | 24\/09\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forward\/Midfielder | 181cm | 04\/04\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wing\/Forward | 189cm | 06\/01\/2008<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n