It was a top-of-the-table clash in division 1 of the Essendon District Football League and Craigieburn left no doubt as to who is No. 1.
The unbeaten Eagles were favourites going into the match against Westmeadows after winning the previous five matches by at least 70 points and three of them by more than 100.
It was hoped that the Tigers could at least provide a close contest and test last year’s grand finalists. But it wasn’t to be and the Eagles romped home 20.9 (129)-8.12 (60).
The Tigers went into the match undermanned and their chances weren’t helped when Mitchell Church left the ground with a serious arm injury in the opening minutes.
Despite that the Tigers controlled much of the early play but were not able to capitalise on their opportunities.
The Eagles, on the other hand, were much cleaner going forward, with Jason and Cameron Cloke and Glenn Robertson making the most of their chances.
While the Eagles led by 37 points at halftime, it could have been so much closer.
But the third quarter was all the Eagles and they blew the game open with seven goals to nil.
The last quarter was much the same as the first two with the Tigers winning plenty of the ball and, in a small consolation, they outscored the Eagles four goals to two.
Eagles coach Peter Bugden said he would take a 70-point win over the second placed team in wet conditions any day.
“It was a good team effort,” he said.
“They’re second on the ladder and a good side and they took it up to us.
“Our boys focused really hard on the ball and in the end result we had a lot more possession.”
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Bugden was thrilled by the efforts of his three key forwards, who kicked 15 goals between them.
“Jase (Cloke) kicked seven, Cam (Cloke ) four and Robbo (Robertson) four and provided good focal points for us
“I thought they did really well and worked really hard as a group to trap the ball. As a result, some of our small crumbers had opportunities as well.
“When Church went off, it hurt them badly.”
Among those to benefit from the Clokes’ hard work was Samuel Laffan.
“I put him in the votes,” Bugden said.
“His work rate was sensational. He tackled really well.
“He had 10 tackles last week and I reckon he’d be up around the eight to 10 mark today.
“For someone who is 64 kilos, about 62 of them are heart.”
Skipper Brent Gordon, in his second game back from a hamstring injury, was busy in the middle of the ground, while Alex Loizou and Callum Langborne were also among the best.
Bugden took the chance to rest senior players like Cameron Cloke and Jeremy Page in the last quarter.
“We have a few young blokes in the side and when the margin is where it is at, we really want to expose them as much as possible,” he said.
“When people talk about Craigieburn being the Clokes and the likes of Josh Young, but you’ve got Dom Micallef, Nathan Perrone, Nathan Reichelt, Laffan, Langborne and Jamie Gorgievski who are all 18-19 and playing good football.
“Everything is on track.”
In another good sign for the Eagles, forward Nick Fletcher played a half of football in the reserves as he returns from injury.
Elsewhere in division 1, Tullamarine closed the gap on Westmeadows to one game with a 17.13 (115)-12.7 (79) win over Northern Saints. .
In premier division, Greenvale returned to the winning list with a thrilling 13.7 (85)-13.6 (84) win over Avondale Heights.
In division 2, Roxburgh Park took the points over East Keilor 9.11 (64)-6.9 (45).
