Both sides struggled with numbers, particularly Huskisson who only had two fresh players for first grade, with most having to back up from reserves.

After Crittenden scored his first goal mid-way through the first half, the visitors did a good job to hold them to 1-nil at the break.

But fatigue got the better of the visitors in the second half, with Crittenden going on to complete his hat-trick, while further goals to Zac Velis and Jamie Kennedy made it 5-nil for the home side.

Both sides have had a bit of a rough trot in recent weeks, but Illaroo coach Andrew Timbs said they can take some confidence from the result.

“To score some goals was probably the most pleasing thing,” Timbs said.

“It’s kind of been the story of our season that we’ve had lots of chances, but haven’t been able to put them away.

“I think Critto [Crittenden] has overtaken his goal tally for the year just from that one game.”

While their hopes of another miracle run to the finals are gone, Timbs said they still want to finish the season on a high.

“You go out to win every game even if the season is over,” he said.

“The dead rubber games are probably the hardest to play and even though the intensity wasn’t there, I thought we played well enough to deserve the points against Huskisson.

“Now we’ve got Basin next week, so hopefully the goals keep coming and we can finish the season with a bit of confidence.”

Huskisson coach Ian Osterloh paid credit to his side for their effort, but said tired legs got the better of them.

“We did what we could, but most of our guys had to play two games,” he said.

“To only have two fresh players for first grade made it hard,” he added.

Osterloh thought his side did well to only be 1-nil down at half-time, but thought Illaroo should have been a lot further ahead.

“We were on the back foot from the get go, but it was a credit to the boys for being able to back up,” he said.

“It was nice to play against a team that was actually keen to knock the ball around.

“I thought it was a good game, played in the right spirits.”

Aaron Crittenden and Sam Leedham were the standouts for Illaroo, while Adam Quinn, Josh Fuz and Brendan Hobbs were the best for Husky.