Tara Murray
Craigieburn City knows there’s plenty of hard work to do if it’s to secure a top two spot and promotion in FV state league 3 north-west.
Craigieburn sits in second spot after 18 rounds, but only five points separates the top five teams with four rounds remaining.
Craigieburn coach Michael Loche said it was pretty big for the club to be in this situation at the pointy end of the season considering it was still a fairly new club.
“We’re doing OK,” he said. “It’s a season like no other as on any given week, anyone can beat anyone.
“That is what you want. To have the exposure is really good. We have a massive junior base and the opportunity to possibly play in state league 2 in the years to come is exciting.”
Loche said the biggest thing for them this season and their improvement was greater depth in the squad.
He said it was something that had looked to add in the off season, to ensure that they have all bases covered.
“We had some significant injuries to our captain, vice-captain and a few others,” he said.
“It has not derailed our season as it would have in previous seasons.
“We wanted to build a squad that challenged at the end of the year, not just the starting 11.
“Some missed out early in the season, but it has been a squad mentality.”
Craigieburn’s run home starts with a clash with Sunbury United away on Saturday at Langama Park.
Then there is a catch up round, followed by matches with Heidelberg Eagles (first), Western Eagles (fifth) and Sebastopol Vikings (eighth).
Loche knows there will be no easy games as they aim to lock up a top two spot.
“We take it one week at a time,” he said. “We’ve been doing that the second half of the year.
“We can’t afford much of a split up.
“It’s a great opportunity but we need lots to go right to achieve a top two spot.”
