Hillside was made to pay for being slightly off with Oak Park proving too strong and becoming the first team through to the Essendon District Football League division 1 grand final.
The Sharks on Saturday were aiming to win through to the division 1 decider for the first time, with minor premiers Oak Park standing in their way.
The Kangaroos showed why they have been the team to beat all season, coming away with a 13.13 (91)-6.13 (49) win.
Sharks coach Mo Kaakour said the Kangaroos were too good.
“We played a quality side in Oak Park that finished on top of the ladder and how a week off,” he said.
“We didn’t play out best footy and to beat Oak Park you have to bring that for four quarters.
“Their transition footy was really good and we didn’t defend as well as we have in the past month.”
The Kangaroos led by 14 points at quarter time and the margin stayed steady at 13 heading into the main break.
Kaakour said the mood at half time was pretty good with the side still in the game despite not playing great football.
“We didn’t play our best footy in the first half and we managed to kick a couple of goals before half time to trail by 13 points,” he said.
“We thought if we started off the second half well, we might be OK and could peg them aback.
“They kicked three quick ones and put us on the back foot.”
Kaakour said they allowed the Kangaroos transition from defence to attack flow to easily with the Kangaroos key forwards kicking seven goals between them.
He said they couldn’t do that and it proved to be the difference.
Kaakour said it was several of their younger ones that were the standouts in the loss.
He highlighted Jack Tarr on the wing, Jackson Heidrich who provided run and carry in the middle of the ground, and Noak Asciak in defence as their standouts.
Kaakour the said the trio had been playing some good football for most of the year.
The Sharks season isn’t over with the side to face Craigieburn in a preliminary final on Saturday, with a grand final spot on the line.
Kaakour said they had a really experienced group which he expected to help throughout the week.
“They’ve stayed positive,” he said. “We earned the double chance.”
Kaakour said they would look to use the positive vibe from their women’s side which claimed its first premiership on Saturday.
