Another challenge, another victory for Craigieburn in Essendon District Football League division 1.
Facing Tullamarine, a side which will be around the mix come finals time, the Eagles stepped it up another level in the 20.12 (132) – 7.11 (53) win.
PICTRUE GALLERY
It was the 10th win in 10 matches for the Eagles and coach Peter Bugden said he was pleased his boys didn’t switch off after starting the match on fire.
“It was a four-quarter effort, which was good against quality opposition,” Bugden said.
“As a coach you definitely want four-quarter efforts against every side.
“We started really well but sometimes we’re guilty of not keeping up the work rate.
“But we put our foot to the floor against a tough opponent.”
David Courouzou was best on ground for Craigieburn. Nick Fletcher and Garrett Heenan were others to stand out.
Cameron Cloke kicked five goals, while Fletcher and Jason Cloke grabbed four each.
The scary thing for other teams is that the Eagles still have experienced players to return to the side.
“We had no Jeremy Page on Saturday and he is one of the best ruckmen in the competition,” Bugden said.
“Both our vice-captains missed the game as well … Christian McErlain is coming back through the reserves after a long-term injury.
“Our players can’t afford not to play well as there are good players in the under-18s and reserves pushing through.
“We had four under-18s play seniors this week.”
The win means a top-two spot and a second chance come finals is almost secured.
The Eagles are a game and a half ahead of the second-placed Essendon Doutta Stars with a game in hand.
The two clubs meet this weekend and victory for the Eagles would all but clinch top spot.
The last time the two teams met, in round 3, the Eagles came from 52 points down to take victory.
“No other team has taken it to us and that’s the challenge,” Bugden said.
“We’re really excited to play next week and don’t want to start like we did last time.
“We’ll hopefully get Jeremy [Page] back and Shannon [Bennett] back too.”
Elsewhere, Westmeadows slipped outside the top four with a loss to Oak Park, the Kangaroos having 28 scoring shots to the Tigers’ 15 in the 12.16 (88) – 9.6 (60) win.
In premier division, Greenvale returned to the winners’ list with a 33-point victory over Avondale Heights.
In division 2, Jacana kept pressure on the top four with a three-point victory over Roxburgh Park.
