Craigieburn believes it is in a better position than 12 months ago heading into the Victorian Turf Cricket Association senior division season.
The Eagles will enter its second season under coach Sean Bathman and are keen to build on what they did last year.
Bathman said they felt they’d had a really good pre-season.
“There has been a little bit of turnover,” he said. “I think we have gotten better with what we have bought in which is nice.
“We’ve got another assistant coach which is really good.”
The Eagles have looked to add some experience with their off season signings.
Shiran Pilana steps into the club and takes on an assistant coaching role straight away.
He is a spinning all-rounder who has a wealth of experience across several clubs and countries, including Parnel in New Zealand and in Melbourne with several clubs including Plenty Valley.
Bathman said he would not only be handy on field but would play just as big a role off field.
Taran Singh joins us from Endeavour Hills, having previously played in Adelaide.
Singh is a bowling allrounder who wants to set a new personal best this season.
Anthony Vernali, who has played with East Coburg and Glenroy, comes across from Mill Park in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association.
He is a right-handed batsman and medium pace bowler who’s looking forward to the challenge of playing in a strong competition and contributing to team success.
“We’re always looking to better the side,” Bathman said. “There’s an opportunity to get better and anything that moves us forward we will look at.”
Bathman said they lost three players from their side from last season, but everyone else had stuck around.
They had also had a few people just turn up to the club wanting to join them.
Bathman said as well as having some success, they were focused on making sure they were still having fun.
“We are doing a lot right,” Bathman said. “That comes with the dedication of the people at the club.”
The Eagles finished last season in seventh spot, but there was nothing between fourth and ninth on the ladder.
A key for the Eagles this season is to get off to a good start.
It took until round seven last season for the side to get its first win of the season.
Bathman said they were putting no ceiling on what they could achieve this season.
“We want to get a few wins before Christmas,” he said. “It’s always good to set the season up before Christmas.”
The Eagles are set to kick off their season on October 4 in a one-dayer against local rival Westmeadows.
Bathman said it was always a good battle between the sides.
In other first round matches, Tullamarine is set to face West Coburg St Andrews in Steve McNamara Shield, Greenvale Kangaroos are on the road against Moonee Valley in the Roy Picone Shield, while in the Russell Pollock Shield Jacana is set to face Williamstown Congs, Roxburgh Park is set to take on Melton Centrals and Donnybrook is set to face St Andrew’s Footscray.
