By JARROD POTTER
CANTERING over the reigning VWFL Division-1 Premiers, Cranbourne flexed its muscles and showed the competition there’s a lot to be worried about when they face the Eagles.
After booting their one-and-only goal in the first term, the Sharks were chummed up by the Eagles – especially livewire forwards Bianca Jakobsson (three goals) and Hayley Wildes (two goals).
Cranbourne ran in waves, passed exceptionally and whenever the ball switched hands, were there to pack-maul the Sharks.
The improvement in the Cranbourne group – after a mixed 2014 season – is stark as players have returned and the step-up among the remaining Eagles is easily evident.
Ash Fennell has returned to VWFL after a year out of the game and was one of the Eagles’ key hit-up forwards and ruck combinations along with Cara Moody.
Jodi Lock, Corrine Cullis, Kirsty Roche and Laura Robinson also returned to the south-east football scene and impressed across the day as all Eagles soared against the lacklustre Sharks.
Also impressing across the defensive-50 was Chloe McMillan – who repelled countless St Kilda chances from her post at centre-half-back.
Cranbourne’s relentless pressure and ability to negate St Kilda’s run-and-carry brigade pleased its new coach Kris Smith.
“That’s what we’ve worked on – tackling pressure and pressure on the ball-carrier at all times,” Smith said.
“It’s the stuff we’ve worked on all pre-season and a full pre-season with the girls is paying off too.”
“That’s really good – our rotations worked today (Sunday), moved through the centre well kicking goals – that’s what you want.”
Smith – who took the reins from former Melbourne footballer Shaun Smith at the end of last year – was excited to start his coaching career on a high note with a 95-point demolition.
“As a team that’s as good as you get,” Smith said.
“Reigning premiers done by nearly 100 points – that’s not a bad start.
“We’ve got plenty to work on but we’ve just got to keep going and improve every week.”
The only downside to the emphatic victory was Cranbourne’s forward line finishing.
With 14 behinds kicked, from a range of easy enough shots and chances, the Eagles’ score line could have been ramped up even further.
Rocketing to the top of VWFL Division-1 ladder – with a whopping 1155.56 per cent – Cranbourne will return home to Casey Fields this weekend to face Darebin (Division 1) and Deer Park (Division 3) from midday Sunday.
Also starting their campaign this week will be Endeavour Hills, with its Division 3 facing Bayswater away and East Division against AFL Gippsland at Gormandale.
