Hampton Rovers recorded a hard-fought victory over Oakleigh at WA Scammell Reserve on Saturday, defeating the second-placed Krushers by two points in what may prove to be a season-defining win.
The two district VAFA clubs have shared a big rivalry in recent history and it was evident on Saturday with players going in hard and giving it their all. The game had everything. Free flowing footy, plenty of scoring and some fantastic individual efforts in what was no doubt the Rovers’ most committed team effort of the season.
Of course there was some controversy and some heated exchanges. But in the end it was the Rovers’ gritty determination to come back from 14 points down to take the lead late on and hang on for a two-point away win. Guy Martyn described it as the best win in his two seasons as senior coach.
Going into the grudge clash, Oakleigh had won their previous four while the Rovers had dropped three in a row. Hampton clearly had it all to day following some disappointing efforts of late.
In reality, the margin should have been more. As it has in the past couple of weeks, the scoreboard told a tale. There was nothing in it in the first half with both sides locked-up at 5.6 (36) at the main break. The third term saw the home side kick five straight while the Rovers managed 4.5 plus two out of bounds and two that failed to make the distance. Again the fourth quarter, Hampton couldn’t kick accurately and while both sides kicked three goals each, the Rovers had three more behinds.
The game started with a rush and Stuey Burggraaff kicked the opening goal. Adam McNeil copped a boot to the eye and was forced from the field with the Rovers down to three on the bench for the remainder of the game.
Neither side could take a real advantage on the scoreboard and there was never much more than a goal in it. That was until the opening minutes of the third quarter when Hampton kicked three majors in quick succession with Pavlou, McPherson and Kyle Pinto all on target.
Hampton had come out firing after Martyn’s rev-up in the rooms during the break. He stressed the level of commitment that was required for the remaining hour of footy and that was evident from the players. Josh Schmitz was great with his attack on the football as always while Jay Dillon again played well above his size. It was also great to see Richard Atkins back in the seniors for the first time since the Grand Final as he returns from injury.
The momentum then swung as Oakleigh banged on four unanswered goals in the next eight minutes to regain the lead. Devereaux answered but a goal late on saw the home side hold a one-point advantage at the final change.
The home side controlled the opening 12 minutes of the final term, kicking the first three goals. They held a 14-point lead and the Rovers looked shaky. With Jack Wilson tiring, Nick Taylor made the switch to the ruck and that seemed to give Hampton the first use of the ball with Fletcher, Ting and McPherson coming into the game.
Goals to Pavlou and Care brought the Rovers back to touching distance and scores were soon level before Josh McPherson kicked a goal to put the Rovers in front. Several missed opportunities followed with three behinds scored by Hampton.
The home side got one back to reduce the margin to one kick, however Hampton held on and the siren sounded with the ball deep in Oakleigh’s forward line, much to the delight of the players and supporters in green and gold.
That improves the Rovers’ season record to 4-3 with a home game against bottom side Banyule next week prior to the Queen’s Birthday long weekend break.
HAMPON ROVERS 2.4 5.6 9.11 12.16 (88)
OAKLEIGH 3.3 5.6 10.6 13.8 (86)
Goal Kickers: J. Pavlou 3, M. Devereaux 2, J. McPherson 2, M. Care , J. Short , K. Pinto , S. Burggraaff , E. Turner
Best Players: M. Devereaux, J. Ting, J. Dillon, J. Schmitz, S. Burggraaff, R. Atkins
Watch the full match replay on VAFATV >
What a win!! pic.twitter.com/a5YT25RENR
— Hampton Rovers FC (@HRAFC) May 24, 2014
It was a rare away triple header at Oakleigh with the Reserves and Under 19s also taking on the Krushers. Unfortunately for them the result was as good as it was for the seniors with both sides going down.
Lachlan Wheeler played his 250th club & VAFA game in the Reserves and while the boys tried hard, Oakleigh took control in the final term and won by five goals. Jewell, Bloomfield and Kezilas were best for the Rovers.
The Under 19s faced a tough task with Oakleigh one of the leading sides. They controlled the game and ran out 55-point winners. Lachlan Cairns, Jack Stewart and Jack Daley were amongst the better players for Hampton.
The Thirds took on Old Ivanhoe at Boss James Reserve and had a disappointing defeat. In the best were Vincent Camera, Matt Ryan and Ryan Warren while Sam Cougan was the lone goal kicker.
Seniors scoreworm:
