EDFL: Why Oak Park will shape the Division 2 finals

Oak Park only appears to be getting stronger with the EDFL finals only a week away with key figures expected to return as the Roos look to have a big say on the finals make up.

Oak Park finds itself in almost the perfect position.

The Roos sit top of the EDFL Division 2 ladder, all but assured of the minor premiership with one game to play, and coach Todd Clark still needs to fit several key players back into the side.

On Saturday they accounted for Coburg Districts, 19.14 (128) to 11.8 (74), in a result which pushed the Lions out of the top-five.

There were also positive signs for Clark in the reserves with senior regulars Bailey Taylor and Taj McCartney making their respective returns.

Ruckman Hirsi Twomey could also be available for the final home-and-away season game against Sunbury Kangaroos this coming weekend.

“We’re going to have a few headaches at selection heading into the finals,” Clark said.

“Sometimes it’s a good position to be in as a coach but it’s really tough for those guys who might miss out. Fortunately our reserves are going to play finals as well which means we can have some guys rolling through there as well.

Oak Park’s Cam Milich. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“We’ve built a list to create the pressure on spots. After we lost those couple of games earlier in the year we were able to get back on track and that was helped by getting some experience back in.

“At the start of the year, our target was to make the top-two. We’re not too concerned with the prestige of finishing first.

“We always knew the top-two, would give us the double chance and the best opportunity to get back to the grand final.”

Oak Park’s victory at the weekend was built off the back of a strong eight-goal to two first quarter.

Despite Districts threatening to come back in the second term, the visitors eventually regained momentum.

According to Clark, there were no drastic changes during the time where the opposition got on top.

“They came pretty hard and to our boys credit they took it upon themselves, I can’t take any credit for it,” he said.

“There was obviously some messages through the rotations, but we didn’t got throwing players out of position or anything like that.”

Oak Park coach Todd Clark. Photo: Hamish Blair

Despite knowing they’ll face Taylors Lakes in the second semi-final in a fortnight, Clark said he didn’t want to flirt with his side’s form against Sunbury Kangaroos.

The Roos themselves moved into the top-four at the weekend and will be desperate to lock in their own finals spot.

“We rate them as a good side,” Clark said.

“Last time we faced them, it was a case of everything going right for us and everything probably going wrong for them.

“We’re going to have a fight on our hands.”

Cam Milich was named best for Oak Park with Ryan Smith, Zac Graham, Daniel Rajab, Corey Field and Travis Anderson also impressive.