Craigieburn fought off a determined Tullamarine on its way to the Essendon District Football League division 1 grand final.
Only seven points separated the two teams at three-quarter-time and anyone who had watched the Demons’ semi-final win knew they would take the contest to the wire.
But the Eagles found another level to win 11.14 (80) – 9.4 (58).
Eagles coach Peter Bugden said the boys dug deep when they needed to.
“They stepped up in the last quarter,” he said.
“Tullamarine was incredible and showed a lot of heart. I was impressed by them and, credit to them, they stuck at it.
“[Coach] Anthony Leydin has done a great job.”
Bugden said the difference in the end was that his side ran out the game better, kicking four goals to two in the final quarter.
“We found a bit of an edge and didn’t stop running in the last quarter.
“Once we started the last quarter well, the game was in our hands.”
Bugden said knowing how far the club had come in the previous 12 months was enough motivation for his players in the final quarter . . . the Eagles avoided relegation by under five per cent last season.
“We’ve come a long way,” he said.
“To have the seniors and under-18s in grand finals and the reserves in finals means the world to us.”
Jason Cloke was the go-to man up forward for the Eagles with three goals. He was named among his side’s best.
Jeremy Page was best-on-ground, while Shannon Bennett and Garrett Heenan were also among the standouts.
Demons forward Scott McAllester was the best for the losers, also with three goals.
Bugden is expecting a physical game in the grand final against Essendon Doutta Stars, who got there with a 36-point win over the Eagles last week.
He said there was no love lost between the two sides, with the report of Josh Young in the previous match between them adding to the spice.
Young was offered two weeks for his hit on Shylo Smith but took it to the tribunal and was given four weeks.
On appeal, he was suspended for one week.
“Josh will play this week,” Bugden said.
“Getting him back is like Collingwood getting Scott Pendlebury back in the side.
“He pumps up the midfield.
“I hope they’re expecting a hard and very physical game.
“We were in front at half-time last time we played, so we know it can work.”
