By RORY O’NEILL
THE top-of-the-table clash between Westmeadows and Craigieburn took place at Willowbrook Reserve on Saturday.
The two teams were evenly matched in the first term. However, the Tigers squandered their chances and the scoreboard didn’t reflect the state of the game.
The Tigers’ Jordan Foster was the main target but went unrewarded with three behinds from set shots. Craigieburn led 5.3.33 to Westmeadows 1.5.11 at quarter time.
In the second term, the Eagles’ twin towers, Jason and Cameron Cloke, started to kick into gear.
Jason Cloke kicked 4.1 for the quarter in an amazing individual display.
However, Westmeadows kept in touch courtesy of a couple of easy frees in front of goal.
At the main break, Craigieburn had consolidated their lead, 11.4.70 to the home team 4.8.32.
In the third quarter, with Aaron Kite flying across half-back, the ball remained in the Eagles’ forward line for most of the term.
Glenn Robertson got into the action with some individual brilliance, kicking a freakish banana goal from the boundary and another off the outside of his boot.
Cameron Cloke added two to his tally, each time celebrating, much to the derision of the home crowd.
It was all one-way traffic, with the Eagles piling on seven goals.
In contrast, Westmeadows could only add two points to their score. At three-quarter time, Craigieburn held an unassailable lead, 18.8.116 to 4.10.34.
In the final term, the Tigers won more of the close-in contests and were rewarded with four goals, including a 60-metre long bomb from Andrew Vavra.
Craigieburn were held to two majors, including one to Jason Cloke, who finished with seven for the match.
The visitors ran out comfortable winners 20.9.129 to 8.12.60. It is of note that the three main top goalkickers in the division are all from Craigieburn: Jason Cloke (44), Cameron Cloke (42) and Glenn Robertson (33).
After the match, winning coach Peter Bugden felt his team overcame Westmeadows because they were strong in all three zones and all key forwards kicked accurately.
He was particularly pleased with his young players, whom he felt were developing very well.
Bugden believes his team’s main rivals this year will be Westmeadows, Oak Park and Hillside.
Westmeadows coach David Connell reported that he asked his team for more effort in the final quarter and was pleased with that result.
He believes his team can still match it with the undefeated Craigieburn, recognising that five out of his six top players could not play on Saturday due to injury.
WESTMEADOWS | 8.12-60
Best: A. Vavra, K. North, J. Ross, D. DeBritt, A. Turner, T. Abdallah
Goals: A. Vavra 2, M. Welsh, A. Taylor, M. Peters, A. Turner, J. Ross, J. Foster
CRAIGIEBURN | 20.9-129
Best: A. Loizou, C. Langborne, J. Page, N. Reichelt, B. Fynch, D. Courouzou
Goals: J. Cloke 7, C. Cloke 4, G. Robertson 4, C. Langborne 2, B. Gordon, A. Loizou, N. Perrone
