The 2024 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One. Next, we chat to Craigieburn coach Shane Jacobs who provides some insights on their 2024 campaign.
2023: 6th (8W, 10L, 90.63%)
Coach: Shane Jacobs (second season)
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Our focus areas over the preseason were to get much fitter and install higher training standards and a more attacking brand of ball movement. We were a high defensive side last year, we want an even balance across defence and offence this coming season."
LIST SHAPE
"We are excited with the players we have brought into the club, a good mixture of experience and young talent. The areas we targeted were in the ruck so we can play certain players mainly forward, and a couple of midfielders to add depth in our engine room.
"I'm really excited with our list, we’re a very young squad and we will be sticking to the plan to develop within and get games into our young core. The players we brought in include Jesse Davies, Spencer Briggs, Luke Reichelt, Nathan Reichelt, Mitch Wilson, Taylor Griffin, Candan Roulston, and Luke Scarpini.
"We'll also have a handful from last year's Under 18s grand final side, who are stepping up to senior footy including Zak Ali, Sahr Bental, Zac Trimbos, Jono Pestrucci, Cade Gordon, and Kylan Doorbar."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"I've been pretty happy with everyone’s preseason, we've had great numbers with about 60 plus every session.
"Some of the standouts have been Luke and Nath Reichelt who crossed over from Roxy, both haven’t missed a session and are flying. Another one is Jamie Gorgievski, our captain who is driving our standards to new heights. There's one other player who I reckon will have a standout season and that’s Zac Hansch – Zac played 16 games in the seniors last year as a 17yo and has put in a huge preseason, was also named best on ground in our praccy against Epping the other week."
2024 OUTLOOK
"The group really want to play finals, this is an exciting division and we know it's not going to be easy. But finals are a goal 100 per cent."
ON THE RECORD WITH SHANE JACOBS
Last year you discussed a five-year plan to rebuild the side but you found yourselves in the finals window at various points in 2023 – has that process been fast-tracked considering last year’s success?
We will be sticking to the plan for sure. Get games into our youngsters, recruit the right people to the club, and most importantly build a great culture. I can see the plan working which is great, but there’s a heap of work that still needs to be done. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
There’s no doubting the quality of your experienced cohort, but do you expect the next generation of Eagles to make an impact at senior level like we saw of Harry Albon last year?
Yes, most definitely, I’m not afraid to throw young guys into senior footy. What Harry and Blake Polley did for us last season was outstanding, and there’s still a few more waiting for their chance. Only thing is I can’t fit them all in at the same time. Their time will come.
Shot after the siren to win, who do you want kicking it?
Jake Carlisle or John Bellino from the top of the goal square haha.
Biggest pest at the club?
Daniel Priest, the twos captain!
Who might be viewed as the coach's pet?
Daniel Priest, the twos captain!
One opposition player you’d love on your side?
Dom Micallef (Tullamarine)
Flag tip outside of Craigieburn?
West Coburg
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Spencer Briggs (Watsonia), Damien Allen (Kilmore), Mitchell Wilson (Aberfeldie), Nathan Reichelt (Roxburgh Park), Luke Reichelt (Roxburgh Park), Jesse Davies (Heathcote), Caleb Sofield (Lancefield), Taylor Griffin (Beechworth), Matthew Shortis (Reservoir), Matt Noden (Sandhurst), Ibrahim Hazim (North Heidelberg), Candan Roulston (Roxburgh Park) & Nathan Martin (Whittlesea).
Out: Daniel Ray (Lalor), Sam Rexhepi (Lalor), Lachlan Millard (Wallan), Aiden Fyfe (Labrador), Daniel De Borrello (Greenvale), Andrew Matheas (Roxburgh Park), Tannous Kabalan (Roxburgh Park), Adam Cruickshank (Roxburgh Park), Matthew Osgood (Roxburgh Park), Corey O'Connor (Roxburgh Park), Travis Keating (Mernda), Tristan Kaman (Greenvale), Benjamin Borrelli (Greenvale), Graeme Whiting (Oak Park), Richard Ahmad (Girgarre), Jackson Kettle (Roxburgh Park), Bayden Moore (Roxburgh Park) & Michael Harris (Romsey).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Craigieburn were in the finals conversation at various points in 2023 after enjoying strong improvement under new coach Shane Jacobs and there's no reason they won't be around the mark again. The Eagles suffered from a bit of inconsistency which left them in a logjam outside the top five but with changing personnel in the teams above them, there may be an opportunity for a side like Craigieburn to sneak in if they perform on a regular basis and compete against the top end. They'll be challenged in their first month of footy with Hillside and St Albans following their Good Friday clash against Roxy, giving us a good indication of what we can expect from the Eagles.
Ladder Prediction: Pushing for finals.
2024 FIXTURE
