By Tara Murray
It’s said that some players are made for finals football and Billy Morrison is one of them.
For the second time in three years, Morrison has starred in an Essendon District Football League grand final.
In 2017, it was with Jacana to help break their premiership drought in division 2.
On Saturday, he was instrumental in Craigieburn claiming its second division 1 premiership in four years.
On both occasions, Morrison has been awarded the best on ground medal.
Speaking after the Eagles win against East Keilor in the grand final, Morrison was quick to praise his teammates.
“The boys did a grouse job and made it really easy for me,” he said.
“I just tell them where I’m going to tap it and they do the rest of the work.”
Morrison finished with 13 touches, six marks and a goal. He also had the majority of the Eagles 47 hit outs.
Eagles coach Lance Whitnall was full of praise for the big man after the game.
“He just loves the big stage,” Whitnall said.
“His hands are like he has grip on them and he was all over the place.
“He pretty much rucked the whole game on his own.
“He’s still a young bloke like the rest of the group.”
Morrison said the decision to move from Jacana to Craigieburn late last year, was about wanting to stay in division 1, with Jacana being relegated.
He has been one of the standouts not only for the Eagles, but also across the division 1 competition as a whole.
“I’ve been coached by Lance [Whitnall] before and I really liked him as a coach, Morrison said.
“He called me up and said if I wanted to stay in this division, Craigieburn is the place to be, and it definitely was.
“The boys straight away made me feel part of the team. Day one of pre-season it’s like I’ve been there 10 years.
“I couldn’t speak higher of the boys.”
The 24-year-old, who has already signed on for next season, said he was looking forward to the next challenge, premier division.
“I would love to put in a good pre-season … And just try and play in premier division and show what I can do in premier division.
“I want to challenge myself against the best in this competition, I can’t wait to get
stuck in.”
