By Tara Murray
It was heartbreak for Craigieburn Eagles as they fell just short of a Big V women’s division 1 finals series.
Needing to win both their matches at the weekend to play finals, the Eagles ticked the first box on Saturday, beating the Camberwell Dragons 69-64.
It left the Eagles with the task of beating ladder leaders, Hawthorn Magic, on Sunday to play finals.
The Eagles threw everything at the Magic and led until deep in the final quarter.
But they fell just short, losing 74-72.
Eagles coach Ben Carroll said while it was heartbreaking not to play finals, he couldn’t be prouder of the group.
This is the Eagles’ first season back in division 1, having won the division 2 premiership the season before.
“It was a really good game,” he said.
“Hawthorn are a quality team and I’m proud we were able to take it to them.”
Carroll said in the end, the Hawks lifted late to get across the line.
They took the lead with 17 seconds to go through free throws.
“We got it on our teams through defence,” he said.
“They threw a few different looks at us and we were able to fight it off.
“There was some quality play by them down the stretch.”
Carroll said in the end it was a slow start to the season that put them behind the eight ball.
He said while it was tough, it helped them in the long run.
“We had a bit of a slow start and were unfortunate with injuries.
“We had players with injuries and then their back-ups had injuries.”
Jada Bugg top scored in both the Eagles games at the weekend, with 23 and 20 points.
Carroll, who has already been reappointed for next season – his third in charge – said this season is a real building block.
“The club as a whole has shown real faith in local people,” he said.
“They’ve signed all the senior coaches already, and everyone is going to have a real crack at what we want to achieve.
“We’re getting a good start at it. With both the seniors and youth league girls not in finals, [youth league coach] Deb [Coulson] and I can have a little break and then plan for 2020.”
The Craigieburn Eagles men’s division 2 side won both its final round matches, to secure a home elimination final.
MORE BIG V NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/tom-carroll-steps-into-senior-role-at-craigieburn-eagles/
