Tara Murray
After a bright start to the Essendon District Football League division 1 season, everything that could go wrong has for Craigieburn.
The Eagles won four of their first five matches but have since lost their next six games and gone back into the pack.
Eagles coach Shane Jacobs said it had been a really frustrating season.
“We have been hit by some injuries,” he said. “We beat St Albans in round three and we now have 11 out of that team.
“We’ve been decimated with injuries but it’s been good to get some games into the kids.”
Jacobs said after not having any injuries last season, they thought they had enough depth this season with their additions.
He said in hindsight they’ve been found out with numbers this season.
Adding to the Eagles injury woes are the departures of Jake Carlisle and John Bellino.
Bellino had kicked 21 goals for the Eagles, while Carlisle had 17 and was co-captain this season.
Jacobs said losing both does hurt their structure.
“We decided to part ways and go separate ways,” he said. “Unfortunately it didn’t work out with those two.
“We go back to work and do what is best for the club.”
Jacobs said Harry Albon, Cade Gordon, Johnno, Kyle Williams had been some of the shining lights coming up from the under-18s.
“They’ve played vital roles for us at senior level,” he said. “They’re doing great but it’s hard to replace the guys who are injured.
“We are playing with five under-18s at the moment, it’s not all doom and gloom as we’re getting games into young guys.”
Jacobs said they will get some guys back before the season is out, but others are ruled out for the rest of the season with long term injuries.
The Eagles have a bye this weekend with Jacobs saying that it would give some of those guys who aren’t far from returning a chance to be fit for the next game.
Despite losing their past six games, the Eagles still remain in finals contention.
Jacobs said they were just focusing on hopefully getting a few more wins in the run home.
“We have a young group and when you lose six in a row, the boys are feeling it,” he said.
“They are still rocking up to training and doing everything on Saturdays. We haven’t put a line through the year, hopefully we can get a few more wins on the board.”
Jacobs has already been appointed for the next couple of seasons.
He said he was keen to stick with the process going forward.
