The 2025 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 2025 campaign.
2024: 6th (6W, 9L, 1D, 87.82%)
Coach: Shane Jacobs
PRE-SEASON FOCUS
"Being a pretty young squad, our fitness levels have always been at a high level, so this time around we had more of an opportunity to hone in on our fundamentals and game plan more than the last couple of years. Pre-Christmas we did a lot of match simulation and structural work.
"Overall I've been really happy with our pre-season.
LIST SHAPE
"It’s been a pretty big recruiting drive this summer. We have definitely added depth to our squad and I’m really happy with who we have brought in, they have fitted in really well."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
"It would be easy for me to mention some of our A-graders we have brought in, but players that I’m really looking forward to watching are some our our young guns.
"Cade Gordon is coming out of our 18s program. Was best on the 18s granny last year and has put in a terrific pre-season. He is pushing his case for Round 1 selection.
"Tadhg Boyle is another one coming out of our 18s program and has a lot of x-factor and really excites me as a player.
"Lastly, Harry Albon. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, the kid is a star. He only played five games for us last year due to Calder Cannons commitments so having Harry available for selection the whole season just makes us a better team."
CLUB INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES
"It’s been a pretty busy off season for the club, we have a brand new committee and they are doing great things. This is definitely helping things on field and we’re looking forward to season 2025."
2025 OUTLOOK
"We want to keep on developing our youth. The under 18s are just coming off a premiership and there’s a handful of players in that group that will play 200-plus games for our club!
"Finals is where we want to be. Craigieburn Football Club should be playing finals regularly in this division and we think that can happen in 2025."
ON THE RECORD WITH SHANE JACOBS
Who is the unsung hero at the club?
Brent ‘Tuck’ Gordon.
MVP of the gym?
Jordon Lobosco.
Player most likely to become a coach one day?
Jamie Gorgievski.
Who has the quickest set of wheels?
Zac Hansch.
Who’s Mr. Reliable week in and week out?
Brent Gordon and Jamie Gorgievski.
Who’s one opposition player you’d love on your side?
Kane O’Halloran (Oak Park).
What match are you most looking forward to in 2025 and why?
Oak Park - I tip them for the flag and you want to play against the best.
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Luke Collins (Bundoora), Josh Collins (Bundoora), Dayne Middleton (Hurstbridge), Jai Robinson (Montmorency), Nathan Stewart (Euroa), Dom Micallef (Tullamarine), Tighe O’Brien (Echuca), Ben Radford (Lancefield), Michael Conlan (Lancefield), Jordy Laurie-Rhodes (St Kilda City), Bailey Collins (Mernda), Cody Ball (Avenel), Alessandro Alescio (Preston Bullants AFC).
Out: Hugh Stebbing (Old Paradians), Liam O'Connell (Wallan), Matthew Hadeed (Essendon Doutta Stars), Ben Pigott (Laurimar), Nathan Kramer (Watsonia), Matt Stevens (Merrifield), Jason Foley (Merrifield), Bailey Cleghorn (Merrifield), Dakota Forryan (Watsonia), Cody Davey (Merrifield), Cameron Thomson (Wallan), Zayne Kendall (Merrifield), Nathan Bourke (Kilmore), Matthew Kichakov (Kilmore), Bailey Walpole (Kilmore), Joshua Webster (Avenel), Henry Ashworth (Avenel), Alexi Mamalos (Tullamarine).
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
The Eagles started the 2024 season in good shape to play finals before an eight-game losing streak extinguished all hopes. With no major departures and star recruits like Bundoora captain Luke Collins, Craigieburn should be well placed to be competing for finals. Additionally, graduates from the premiership-winning Under 18s side seem to be in Shane Jacobs' plan which, along with young gun Harry Albon, bodes well for the future of the club. It'll be a tough task squeezing into the top five, but the Eagles looked poised to do so in the first half of last year and should be confident of a more consistent season.
Ladder Prediction: Finals fight.
