Youth and high energy has been the key for Craigieburn as it turned its Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
Just four weeks ago, the Eagles were still in the relegation conversation. Now the side is just outside the top five.
Football manager Jason Andrews said they were really happy with how they were tracking the past few weeks.
“We’ve been really connected the last four to five weeks, playing a high energy high pressure game,” he said.
“We’ve been able to uncover some hidden gems in the under-18s and reserves.
“The last four weeks, including the St Albans game where we lost, we really played four quarter football and kept the pressure on the ball.”
Having had a strong defence all season, the Eagles have looked to change up their attack in recent times.
With some key talls out, the Eagles have gone small and it has worked in their favour.
“We’ve gone with some of the younger guys,” Andrews said.
“With going a bit smaller, we’ve looked to move the ball quicker into the forward line.”
On Saturday, the Eagles were able to beat Taylors Lakes.
Last time the two teams played, the Lions won a thriller.
This time the Eagles were able to control the game on the way to a 13.12 (90)-8.11 (59) win.
The Eagles led at each of the breaks, with a seven goal to one third quarter breaking open the match.
Andrews said they focused on their high energy game.
“We wanted to have that high pressure and wanted to force them into making errors and coughing up the ball and then capitalise on that with the younger players.”
Tadhg Boyle kicked five goals for the Eagles in a best on ground performance.
Andrews said he was one of those younger ones who were impressing. Harry Albon, who is spending more time forward, is another one.
The win moves the Eagles into sixth spot and they are now just a game out of the top five.
After an up and down season, which has included Shane Jacobs stepping down as coach, Andrews said they weren’t looking too far ahead.
“It’s one week at a time,” he said “It’s a challenge to play well every week.
“We’re looking to the future but why not start now?
“We’ll see what happens if we continue to play good footy.”
The Eagles face Oak Park this Saturday. The Eagles beat the ladder leaders the first time the two teams played.
In other matches, Tullamarine lost to Hillside, 13.12 (90)-12.7 (79), while Roxburgh Park lost to Oak Park, 19.20 (134)-4.7 (31).
