Craigieburn is getting used to being the hunted, not the hunter, in division 1 of the Essendon District Football League.
Last season saw the Eagles become a genuine premiership contender for the first time in many years and Eagles coach Peter Bugden is hoping last season wasn’t a one‐off.
They lost just five games for the year, including three to eventual premier Essendon Doutta Stars.
“We’ll be favourites at the start until the dust settles, having made the grand final last year,” he said.
“It a different kettle of fish [being favourites].
“I think the club is fantastic shape. We’re in a lot different place from where we were a few years ago.
“We needed to consolidate the young boys and get them to work harder and now it’s about filling gaps with handy players to get back into premier grade.”
After adding several high‐profile signings last season, the Eagles hope they have added the finishing touches this time round.
Doutta Stars premiership player Aaron Kite will join the club pending clearance issues, adding more fire power to the forward line.
Glenn Robertson is another handy forward and Ryan Bongetti comes across from the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
Harley Short and Jake Piggott have joined the club and are expected to bring hardness to the backline.
While the club has added more top‐end talent, Bugden says the some of the younger players will again push for spots.
Sammy Laffan and Jamie Gorgievski, who both played in the grand final, and Dominic Micallef and Nathan Perrone had all had good off‐seasons.
Bugden said it was likely the Cloke brothers would both remain in the forward line despite the extra fire power.
“It’s always an option to put Jason down back and Cam in the ruck,” he said.
“They enjoy playing together. I don’t think we’ll change too much.”
Among the outs are Scott Hamilton, Daniel Nolan, Brenton Cox and Daniel Mackertich.
“Scott has taken on a reserves coaching gig and wouldn’t have played anyway after knee surgery,” Bugden said.
“Daniel is coaching Wallan and Brenton and Daniel are his best mates and have gone with him.
“I’m confident we can bring in guys to replace them.”
Bugden said making it back to the grand final was on the agenda this season.
“The expectation is we can make the grand final and anything can happen once you are there,” he said.
“I’ve coached four grand finals, for two wins and two losses.
“Last year was a good effort to get within a goal late in the game with Nick Fletcher missing and
Cam Cloke doing his hamstring.
“We’ve got a little bit more top‐end talent and if we can manage them throughout the year and get double chance we’ll go a long way.”
Craigieburn kicks off its season against Oak Park on April 9.
