By JULIA MONTESANO
CRAIGIEBURN’S team had plenty of variety last year, with a host of dual-sport athletes, young players and mums in their side.
The variety continues to be a theme this year, as Craigieburn secretary, Margaret Perkins admits that there is plenty of different faces to look out for in 2018.
“We've got one girl who plays softball now as well – she's Mo Hope's sister,” Perkins told essendondfl.com.au.
“She (Ellena Hope) played about five games last year for Glenroy and now she's come to us. She loves it there.
“We've got some cricket girls, some soccer girls and some that are just ordinary mums with babies that are just trying to keep fit.
“Some of them are actually really good footballers.”
Craigieburn may have suffered a form slump in the latter part of the season, but the Eagles have continued to build the pathway for its younger players to ensure a strong side over the coming years.
One of the Eagles’ 2017 co-captains, Natasha Konstantinidis is coaching the Under 13 Craigieburn side, and Perkins says she was a revelation for the club last year.
“Natasha played last year and it was her first year – you'd think that she's been doing it for ages,” Perkins said.
Not only is she a great footballer, but Perkins believes she will be a great coach.
“She put her hand up to coach,” Perkins explained.
“I just had a chat to her and she said 'yeah I'll do it'.
“Now she seems to be really excited.”
As for 2018, Perkins says that finals are a must for the Eagles.
“I hope for a lot of improvement,” she said.
“But since we finished fifth last year, I suppose I'm the one who thinks that we should make finals this year.
“Our goal is to make finals this year and finish in the top four... but he girls have heard me say that so much.
“We're going to have a lot of competition this year.”
To begin their quest for a finals berth, the Eagles trained with the senior men’s side in the pre-season, which Perkins believes was a beneficial experience.
“They learn more from (training with the boys),” she said
“They do all their drills together.
“Some of them loved it, some of them thought it was too fast.
“A lot of them say 'I love it' and they want to train more with them.”
If you would like to be a part of the Eagles in 2018, please contact secretary, Margaret Perkins on 0402 078 188.
