Less than two per cent separates Craigieburn and Hadfield in the battle to avoid relegation from division 1 of the Essendon District Football League.
On Saturday, the Eagles again showed they are no easybeats, losing 17.8 (110) to 14.12 (96) against Oak Park.
PICTURE GALLERY | Oak Park v Craigieburn
“The boys tried hard, we did not throw in the towel. We were three or four goals down more than once and we fought back,” coach Peter Bugden said.
“It was a team effort. Our captain Brent Gordon had a brilliant game, Braydon Hardstaff, who is 17, played really well and Jordan Lobosco did some courageous things.”
Meanwhile, going into this weekend’s final round, the Eagles are eighth and Hadfield ninth of nine, with the team that finishes bottom to drop to division 2.
So close are they on percentage that their ladder positions changed on Saturday even though both teams lost.
For the Eagles, whether they stay in division 1 or not doesn’t change the long-term goals.
“Nothing changes,” Bugden said. “I’ll be coaching next year – I have already been reappointed.
“Credit to the boys, they have not dropped their heads. In the last nine rounds especially, they have been bringing lots of energy.
“We’ve had 15 under-18 boys play senior football this season and it was always going to take time to gel.
“We’re rebuilding and we’ll have to do the hard yards no matter what division we’re in.
“We will get back to premier division.”
The Eagles face finals-bound Taylors Lakes in the last round, while Hadfield meets Oak Park.
“We have to lick our wounds and come out to play in the hardest game of the year,” Bugden said.
In other division 1 matches, Tullamarine bounced back from a disappointing loss to defeat Westmeadows.
The Demons held the Tigers scoreless for the first three quarters while piling on the goals to win 18.17 (125) to 2.4 (16).
In premier division, Greenvale’s finals hopes all come down to this week’s match against Keilor.
After defeating Pascoe Vale, the Jets need to win against the Blues to stay alive. Lose and the Blues will secure a finals spots.
