CRAIGIEBURN enters the Division 1 Grand Final with plenty of talent across the ground.
The Eagles are known for their ability to spread and play fast football, but can also hurt you with their strong mix of talls who can hold down key positions all over the park.
EDFL Media analyst, Kaine Hocking, tells us who he thinks are Craigieburn’s five most important and influential players in the Grand Final.
#23 - BILLY MORRISON
This star of the competition is a work horse for his side and if you haven’t seen this big guy play before, then don’t judge the book by its cover.
Morrison is a mobile ruck who can move around the ground all day, providing first use to his midfielders and providing great presence down the line with his contested marking ability.
He provides a lot at stoppages, by being able to win his own clearances or laying the big tackles.
He can also push forward and hit the scoreboard, kicking 16 goals from 17 games, including a bag of four against East Keilor earlier in the year.
#32 - JOSH YOUNG
The ageing midfielder wound back the clock two weeks ago at Windy Hill, slotting four crucial goals in the Semi Final win over East Keilor.
However, it wasn’t just the scoreboard impact from Young (pictured at top) that was impressive.
His work inside the contest and around the ball was good to watch.
With his ability to also get on the outside and show off his classy left foot, at times it looked like the game was in slow motion, as he had that much time and space to use the ball.
Kicking four goals for the game and coming in with one for the season, Young was a left field scoring option big Lance Whitnall wouldn’t have counted on.
But in finals you need players to just play their part at that’s what Young was able to do.
East Keilor would be silly to let Young do what he wants, as if they do, he could just very well be walking off Windy Hill with two medals hanging around his neck.
#6 - BROCK CHIRCOP
This pocket rocket packs a big punch for Craigieburn.
Chircop is having his best season in his second year of senior football, kicking 32 goals from 17 games after having only kicked 11 in 2018.
He provides a lot of energy around the ball and inside forward 50 and his ability to put speed on the ball is up there in this division.
He’s always looking to be on the move when he takes a mark.
Spending more time in the midfield in the absence of Jesse Davies, Young and Ryan Bongetti has made him more dangerous, giving opportunity to lose his opponent in the traffic of stoppages.
Chircop and his fleet footed teammates, including Corey Viani and Sam Laffan, had been waiting to show their pace on the big grounds such as Windy Hill and will be itching to do so again here.
#24 - BEN FYNCH
Fynch is arguably the best defender in Division 1 and is the main cog in the Eagles’ back six.
His ability to read the play and help his fellow backs is a major strength.
The long-sleeved backman will be looking to shine on the big stage once again, having been named in the best players in seven games from 14 and named in the bests in all three previous meetings against the Cougars.
#13 - TYE BROWNING
This classy half back has poise beyond his years.
Browning sets up across half back and the Eagles love to have the ball in the hands of the teenager.
As a senior premiership player with the Eagles in 2016 at the age of 16, it’s not hard to see why VFL club Coburg signed Browning during the year, where he played five games and averaged 13 disposals and four marks a week.
Look for the classy 19-year-old to showcase his skills across half back.
Kaine Hocking will be part of the EDFL Match of the Day live coverage of the Division 1 Grand Final on 98.9 North West FM & facebook.com/essendondfl.
