Craigieburn’s finals run came to an end but the club is nothing but proud of what it has achieved in the Essendon District Football League division 1 season.
No one predicted the Eagles to make finals, let alone a preliminary final, mid-season as they struggled to put scores on the board.
The wins started to come and with it, the confidence started to grow.
Two finals wins gave them a chance to win through to the grand final, with only Hillside in their way.
The Sharks proved too strong, winning 18.7 (115)-8.8 (56).
Eagles football manager Jason Andrews said while they were disappointed not to get the win, they were already winners this season.
“We are super proud,” he said. “The coaches are proud, the committee is proud and the whole club is proud.
“It’s been a super effort over the last eight weeks.”
The Eagles got off to a perfect start as they kicked a goal within the first 30 seconds. It was quickly two within the first two minutes.
The Sharks then got going and there was less than a goal in it at quarter time.
Hillside used the breeze well in the second quarter to open up a 27 point lead at the main break.
Andrews said they didn’t make the most of the breeze in the third quarter to give themselves a real chance.
The Sharks then put the foot down in the final quarter with seven last quarter goals.
“We were still always in the game and we tried our guts out right to the very end,” Andrews said.
“They tried their guts out no matter the circumstances or what the scoreboard is saying.”
Skipper Jamie Gorgievski was named the Eagles best as he kicked five goals as he returned to the side.
Andrews said it was another really good team performance.
“Nathan Stewart was great,” he said. “Overall it was just a great team effort.
“The backline was superb again. Blake Polley was superb in the backline, fantastic effort.”
Andrews said what the group had been able to achieve had set them up a really good building block for coming years.
He said they had learned so much.
“Every game has been a learning curve and they’ve just still learning,” he said. “It’s incredible.
“It’s almost indescribable.
“They’ll take a break for a couple of weeks now. They’ll come back ready for pre-season and that is what they’re really aiming for now.
“They’re a very tight group.”
Jack Carlyon and Cale Bettanin, who took over coaching mid-season, have been reappointed for next year in another bonus for the club.
Andrews said the players really buy into what they want to do.
“They’ve been amazing and the boys love them,” he said. “The boys hang on their every word and it’s sensational to see.
“They soak it up.”
