2019 RECAP
Under first-year coach Lance Whitnall, the Eagles twice defeated minor premier East Keilor in the finals series to claim their second Division 1 premiership in four seasons and earn promotion back into Strathmore Community Bank Premier Division.
Whitnall's side established itself as a fast-paced and high-scoring unit, scoring less than 100 points in only four games (all losses) in 2019.
Their home record was particularly impressive, only dropping one game at DS Aitken Reserve for the entire year.
BEST & FAIREST TOP FIVE
1st - Jesse Davies*
2nd - Billy Morrison (pictured)
3rd - Brock Chircop
4th - Ben Fynch
5th - Liam Middleton
GOAL KICKING TOP FIVE
48 - John Bellino
41 - Shannon Smith*
32 - Brock Chircop
29 - Brent Gordon
25 - Caelan Anderson
DAVID McWILLIAM MEDAL
Division One Grand Final Best-On-Ground
Billy Morrison
DIVISION ONE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Ben Fynch (full back)
Brock Chircop (forward pocket)
Billy Morrison (ruck)
Jesse Davies* (rover)
*outgoing transfer lodged
2021 PREVIEW
Coach: Lance Whitnall (2nd season)
LODGED TRANSFERS
In: Brian Boless (West Coburg), Domenic Cutrupi (Fitzroy Stars), Marc DeMaria (Fitzroy Stars), Micheal Harris (Doveton Eagles), Dylan Humm (Laurimar), Majed Issa (Jacana), Zayne Kendall (Roxburgh Park), Callum Langborne (Broadford), Jivan Mansoor (Northern Saints), Rowen Pickett (Heathmere), Candan Roulston (Roxburgh Park), Andrew Schiavon (Roxburgh Park), Bitner Tonumaipea (Greenvale), Marco Tripoli (Shepparton United), Leonardo Vicario (Roxburgh Park), Brian Ward (Roxburgh Park) & Nicholas Watts (Parkside)
Out: Jacob Austin (Mernda), Jarred Barden (Oak Park), Steven Boyall (Wallan), Tye Browning (Aberfeldie), Joshua Dall'Est (Kilmore), Jesse Davies (Wallan), Kirk D'Silva (Roxburgh Park), Harley Dyson (Jacana), Aydin Kesici (Essendon Doutta Stars), Bryce Kimuliatis (Mernda), Samuel Laffan (Tullamarine), Callum Langborne (Morningside), Jacob Langborne (Morningside), Jacob McNicol (Girgarre), Dominic Micallef (Tullamarine), Dale Potter (Westmeadows), Nathan Reichelt (Roxburgh Park), Luke Reichelt (Roxburgh Park), Glenn Robertson (Kinglake), Bryson Scales (Hillside), Luke Scarpini (Roxburgh Park), Shannon Smith (Mernda), Luke Szala (Wallan), Aaron Vendramini (Westmeadows), Corey Viani (Wallan), Beau Vowles (Tullamarine), Nicholas Watts (Parkside) & Jake Woods (Oak Park)
EDFL MEDIA SAYS
Things did not go well for Craigieburn when last in the EDFL's top flight, producing a winless season back in 2017.
The recent outgoing transfer of reigning best-and-fairest winner Jesse Davies is a painful one to swallow for coach Lance Whitnall given that several other premiership players have left or retired since the end of 2019.
There's barely any noise coming out of DS Aitken Reserve in the lead-up to Round 1 but we know the Eagles will be young and looking to play with speed, so we'll see if they can produce enough wins to avoid being relegated yet again.
2021 FIXTURE
