It was a case of profound heartbreak for Craigieburn in the Essendon District Football League division 1 grand final.
For three and half quarters the Eagles managed to keep the margin around the two-goal mark and looked set to launch a bid to overtake Essendon Doutta Stars late in the game.
But as they struggled to kick consecutive goals, the Eagles instead found themselves fighting an uphill battle to get in front.
As with the last two times the teams met, the Stars were able to run out the game better on their way to premiership glory.
Kicking four goals to two in the last quarter, the Stars won 15.11 (106) – 11.16 (82).
The Eagles’ day got off to a bad start with forward Nick Fletcher withdrawing before the game. He was replaced by Daniel Nolan, who hadn’t played a senior game in a month.
Nothing separated the two teams in the first quarter, with key forwards – Jason and Cameron Cloke for the Eagles and the Stars’ Aaron Kite – proving a handful.
Josh Young, who returned to the Eagles after suspension, kicked two first-quarter goals.
In the second quarter, the Stars seemed to have the answers every time the Eagles attacked.
Each Eagle goal would be quickly followed by a Stars’ six-pointer.
Even when the Eagles had an extra man after Blair Cronin was given a yellow card, the Stars had all the answers.
The Eagle forward line was dealt another blow when league-leading goalkicker Cameron Cloke injured a hamstring in the second quarter. Cloke remained on the field, playing out of the goal square for the rest of the quarter and third quarter before finishing the game on the bench.
This left Jason Cloke as the focal point.
Eagles coach Peter Bugden said losing Fletcher and Cameron Cloke didn’t help the cause.
“It was a big loss, having Nick out of the side and then Cam did a hamstring … but that’s footy,” he said.
“Cam played on deep and he toughed it out for a while, but it was disappointing not having him at full strength.”
With his side having been within striking distance for much of the day, Bugden was left to rue a third quarter in which the Eagles had most of the play.
They had several chances to take the lead but missed shots they should have nailed.
When Jason Cloke scored the first goal of the last quarter it looked like the Eagles were about to pounce – but that’s where the charge ended.
Any hopes went out the window when Christian McEarlain was sent from the field for a hit behind play.
The Stars kicked late goals as they continued to run but the Eagles had run out of puff.
“The third quarter, when we kicked 2.6, didn’t help our cause today, but I thought our boys fought the game out well and tried hard all day,” Bugden said.
“There has to be a winner and a loser … hopefully its burn deeps within the boys and we will be back bigger and stronger next year.”
Jeremy Page was the best for the Eagles, providing a target around the ground and taking several crucial marks.
Jason Cloke kicked five goals and Young kicked three.
The Stars’ Shylo Smith showed why he is the dominant midfielder in the competition and was named best on ground.
Despite the disappointing result, Craigieburn showed it was a long way ahead from 12 months earlier when the club narrowly avoided relegation.
“Our under-18s were in the grand final, our reserves played finals and we were 24 points away from winning a grand final,” Bugden said.
“We are in really good shape … the boys are going to have to fight hard for a place in the senior side next year, which is the way we like it.”
The Eagles under-18 side lost to Doutta Stars in their grand final, going down 119-112.
