He came closest in 1958, when down by 3 with 90 seconds to go, a set shot hit the post, allowing Port Adelaide to hold on for a 2 point win.

[2] Not involved in coaching at any team in 1961, Oatey saw the Bloods win the SANFL premiership, convincing him to return to the league.

He went to Sturt, coaching there from 1962 to 1982, and leading the league team to seven SANFL Premierships (a record at the time) including the famous five in a row from 1966 to 1970.

Through his time at Sturt, Oatey was one of the early instigators of the greater use of handball as an attacking option, which is often apocryphally attributed to the VFL's Ron Barassi, particularly within Victoria.

In the 1978 Queen's Birthday Honours, Oatey was appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for services to the sport of Australian football.