Cranbourne certainly can’t be called out for punching above its weight. The undefeated Eagles tore the Wickers apart on Saturday and as Kristian Meredith (left) found out, only a football miracle can stop Mat Fletcher’s Cranbourne. 70337
By David Nagel
CRANBOURNE is poised to break a 16-year premership drought.
The football team is out to cap two years of dominance in the Casey Cardinia league after booking a grand final berth at Berwick on Saturday week, 24 September.
Only a repeat of last year’s finals nightmare can deprive Cranbourne of premiership glory after the soaring Eagles demolished Berwick by 112 points in Saturday’s second-semi-final.
The Eagles are out to avenge last year’s disappointment where they finished top of the ladder only to be bundled out in straight sets. But in the weekend’s second-semi final at Edwin Flack Reserve they smashed any lingering self doubt with a blistering seven-goal opening term.
Cranbourne return to Edwin Flack Reserve for the grand final on Saturday 24 September to meet the winner of this Saturday’s preliminary final between Berwick and Narre Warren.
Formed in 1889, Cranbourne have won 11 senior premierships including a staggering run of eight between 1985 and 1995, its last taste of glory.
It’s doubtful, however, if any of those teams went to the big dance so well polished and groomed for success.
The Eagles record speaks for itself. Since losing to Berwick by five points in the opening game of 2010, Cranbourne have put together a lavish 30 win, one loss, home and away record.
Last year’s finals capitulation being the only blemish, albeit considerable, for a clearly dominant team over the last two seasons.
Monday night’s league award presentation gave further credence to the domination of the Cranbourne team with six players selected in the Casey Cardinia Team of the year.
This on top of livewire midfielder-forward, Justin Berry being voted the league’s Most Valuable Player and burly forward Marc Holt winning the league goal kicking award.
Coach Doug Koop topped off the evening for the Eagles by being named coach of the year. Cranbourne also won the Club Championship award for success over all grades.
A dominant year by any standards but there is one more box to tick, so bring on 24 September, where Cranbourne, regarded as a great team, get the chance to be remembered as a great team.
