By ADEM SARICAOGLU
CAN Craigieburn be caught?
It’s been the most commonly asked question in Essendon Ford Division 1 circles since before a ball was even kicked in anger back in April.
Four goals short of glory 12 months ago, the Eagles upped the ante last summer and brought in Aaron Kite and Glenn Robertson, among a few others, and we’ve seen that flourish on the park in 2016.
Up until Round 13 you couldn’t fault Peter Bugden’s men.
Winning became a habit and winning well was their trademark – the average winning margin over 12 games was 93 points.
In fact, that was the exact final margin when the Eagles met Tullamarine at DS Aitken Reserve in Round 4 on EDFL Match of the Day.
Thirteen different Eagles goaled in that game.
Skip the second home-and-away meeting for the moment and consider what happened two weeks ago in what could now be considered a Grand Final dress rehearsal.
Craigieburn bullied Tulla into submission on the wide expanses of Windy Hill and that was after the Demons started well.
Robertson kicked five and Brent Gordon was best-on in a wonderfully powerful display at the home of EDFL footy.
The final margin was 88 points.
All of the above would be enough to dismiss Tulla, right?
Wrong.
As proven in Round 13, the Demons are capable winning this Grand Final.
A fast start, a healthy spread of goalkickers and names of the ilk of Burns, Scott, Laurie, Becker, Marcy and Sims all popping up in the bests were the crucial factors.
When it’s up and going, Tullamarine’s midfield is hard to stop, but their biggest headache is Craigieburn ruckman Jeremy Page.
Page was outstanding in the Semi Final and it showed in the centre-clearance battle. In the end the Eagles benefitted with the big three (Cloke, Cloke and Robertson) combining for nine of 20 goals.
What was evident in the Semi was Tulla’s lack of pressure inside defensive 50, and that’s something which can be rectified here.
The focus for the Demons has to be getting on top early with contested ball.
If they can neutralise, then win the ball in tight, then distribute to the outside run and deliver to Becker and Sims with precision, they’re a chance.
Tullamarine has to run Craigieburn off its legs and be efficient up forward, but must also be ready to embrace the dog-fight in and under.
Ryan Bongetti looms as a crucial inclusion for Craigieburn and if he does play, expect Craigieburn to go in full strength and full of confidence.
End of the day, if the Eagles are on, then they’re the better team and will deliver on the promise of a return to Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division.
But Tullamarine is a proud club and coach Anthony Leydin is driven to succeed.
As always, the best team will win.
