Craigieburn is hoping for a little luck in Big V men’s division 2 this season.
The Eagles seemed to be one of the teams to beat for much of last year, before injury and players’ unavailability hit them hard come finals time.
Their season ended with a four‐point loss in the preliminary final.
Eagles coach Dennis McNamara said the side was on track to play finals again.
“Only injury will prevent us from playing finals,” he said.
“Hopefully, our younger guys are at the age to start taking on a bigger role.
“They are 24 or 25 now and they’re becoming men and can take the lead and not be in the background.”
All but one of last season’s team returns, with Eric Miraflores joining division 1 side Keilor.
“We’ve picked up some good local players,” McNamara said.
“I’m expecting some of the other guys to step up to fill the gap left by Miraflores.
“The likes of Blake and Jai Dickinson and a couple of juniors will help fill the role.”
McNamara said Lachlan McNabb, Gene Vocale, Sheldon Malcolm and Declan Stockdale would all make senior appearances this season after playing with the youth league side.
The Eagles originally signed 2012 premiership player Paul Sciandis to play this season, but work and other commitments meant he could not commit.
The coach said having the same line‐up would be beneficial.
“It is much easier in preparation when you’re not bringing players into the system,” he said.
“Everyone knows what we expect of them. Bringing players up from the youth league side and having them step up means they know the system, too.”
McNamara said the disappointment of last season would spur the players on this year.
“We missed out on a grand final by four points,” he said.
“We were leading with two minutes to go . . . it was the luck of the draw, their shots fell and ours didn’t.”
The Eagles start their season against Mornington on Sunday.
