UPDATE: The Craigieburn Eagles are just one win away from the grand final after a hard-fought victory against West Coburg in the Essendon District Football League division 1 semifinals, held on August 27, 2023. This triumph solidifies their position as one of the league’s top teams, having previously defeated fourth-placed Avondale Heights.
The Eagles demonstrated impressive resilience, overcoming a challenging match where they initially seized the lead but faced strong resistance from West Coburg. The Eagles football manager expressed overwhelming pride in the team’s performance, stating, “We’re absolutely elated. It was a great win and a really gutsy win after a good start.”
The match began with the Eagles establishing a solid lead, ending the first quarter ahead by 20 points. However, West Coburg clawed back, narrowing the gap to just seven points at halftime. By the end of the third quarter, the score was tightly contested, with West Coburg scoring 4.12 to the Eagles’ 5.7.
In the final quarter, the Eagles faced a significant challenge, with West Coburg utilizing a two to three goal breeze. Yet, the young Eagles flourished under pressure, securing an 8.9 (57) to 5.15 (45) victory. Manager Andrews hailed the defense, led by Jai Robinson and Ben Fynch, for their stellar performance throughout the match.
Andrews noted, “The last quarter was super gritty. We were not worried under pressure and focused on the way we wanted to play.” The Eagles’ grit proved vital, as they managed to score three goals against the breeze, clinching their place in the preliminary final.
Only Nathan Stewart stood out as a multiple goalkicker with two goals, while the rest of the squad contributed effectively to this significant win. Despite a few players feeling sore post-match, Andrews emphasized the team’s resolve, stating, “We’re not going there to not win it,” ahead of their upcoming match against Hillside.
The Eagles previously triumphed over Hillside in their last encounter, winning by a commanding 59 points in Round 17, which boosted their confidence for the preliminary final.
As the excitement builds, the Eagles look to harness their momentum and secure a spot in the grand final, making this a crucial moment for the team and its passionate supporters.
In other news from the premier division, Strathmore is set to clash with Keilor, while Airport West eliminated Deer Park from the playoffs.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Eagles continue their quest for glory!
