Tara Murray
Craigieburn City is ready for the new challenge ahead of it in FV state league 2 north-west.
After finishing second in state league 3 north-west last season and earning promotion, Craigieburn continued its rapid rise up the ranks since forming a senior men’s team in 2016.
Craigieburn coach Michael Loche said it was pretty exciting for the group to play at the higher level.
“It has come around quickly,” he said. “It’s been a good break and we’re looking forward to the new season.
“It’s a big thing for a club like us to be testing ourselves against quality opposition that have been around a lot longer than we have
“We’ll get the chance to play against some very big clubs which is exciting.”
Loche said they had improved their squad from last season, adding some quality players to the squad.
John-Paul Shamoon, Adam Burchell, Eoghan Rafferty, Amit Thapa and Ryan Lewis have all joined the club.
“We’ve got a couple of boys from overseas,” Loche said. “We’ve also got some players who want to play at the higher level.”
The biggest signing for Craigieburn though is a familiar name, Jordan Connerton.
Connerton has played six seasons for the club previously and has been a star goal scorer for the club, scoring 109 goals in four and a bit state league seasons.
He didn’t play last season after hanging up the boots but has come out of retirement.
Loche said they know what to expect from the striker.
“He has a lot of respect from the playing group,” he said. “He makes us much more potent and when we get chances he will finish them more likely than not.”
Loche said this season for them would be about finding their feet at this level.
“Whatever we do this year we will be better for it,” he said. “We won’t set any limitations on this year and we’ll take every week as it comes and see where it takes us.”
Craigieburn City was in action on the the long weekend against Berwick City in the third round of the Australia Cup.
Loche said before the match that he didn’t know much about them and it would be a good challenge for them in the heat.
“It’ll be good to see the boys under a bit of pressure and have something to play for.”
Berwick claimed the win 2-1 to move onto the next round.
Andrew Fragle was the goal scorer for Craigieburn.
