DESPITE a strong start to the game, a baby-faced Craigieburn outfit fell to the dangerous Essendon Doutta Stars by 168 points at Nipper Jordan Oval.
A four-point Eagles lead at quartertime had the visiting fans hopeful, but a 10-goal to one second quarter quickly silenced the hopes, as the Stars midfield ran amok on a sunny, still day for footy.
Gun Eagle Ryan Bongetti went down with a knee injury within the first five minutes, making the challenge ahead even more daunting.
Darren Pfeiffer was instrumental through the midfield for the home side in the absence of captain Shylo Smith, who missed following a hamstring injury against Avondale Heights two weeks ago.
Alex Marklew proved a dangerous target in his first outing of 2017, kicking nine goals and providing a lethal lead-up option every time the ball went inside 50.
Lachlan Ronaldson was super-valuable against Jeremy Page, despite the obvious height difference, winning a majority of the hit-outs and giving his strong on-ballers first use of the ball on most occasions.
Sharpshooter Aaron Kite managed three majors, despite looking under an injury cloud, including a set-shot shortly after a collision left him clutching at a knee that seemed to be troubling him all day.
Christian McErlain and Josh Young again found themselves around the footy for most of the day, both fighting hard for the Eagles in what turned into a tough sight to watch once the floodgates opened in the second term.
Nathan Perrone tried hard all game, as did John Bellino who got the opening job on wingman Mitch Jensen.
The two went head-to-head for much of the first half, before the Stars young-gun took a stranglehold on the game, eventually collecting a mass of the ball and kicking three goals.
Jensen explained after the game that it wasn’t ideal losing in Round 1 against Keilor, but being back in the winners circle at their home ground has his team in good shape.
“It was a disappointing start to the season, but it’s great to bounce back with two wins,” Jensen said.
“It is always good to win in front of a good crowd at your home ground.”
Essendon Doutta Stars will take on Pascoe Vale at Raeburn Reserve next Saturday while Craigieburn are back at home against Aberfeldie.
ESSENDON DOUTTA STARS 30.23-203
Goal Kickers: A. Marklew 9, P. Ntalianis 4, J. Landt 3, M. Jensen 3, A. Prestia 2, C. Hughes 2, B. Laguda 2, A. Di Matteo, J. Rogers, P. Veszpremi, N. Kazuro, J. Anderson
Best Players: D. Pfeiffer, P. Veszpremi, A. Marklew, P. Ntalianis, M. Jensen, L. Ronaldson
CRAIGIEBURN 5.5-35
Goal Kickers: A. Kite 3, G. Robertson 2
Best Players: J. Page, N. Reichelt, B. Fynch, C. McErlain, J. Bellino, J. Young
