AFL Outer East 2019: Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien proud of his club’s effort to reach final four

After losing 27 players before the season, Cranbourne did a mighty job to win a final in AFL Outer East.

Action from the Beaconsfield versus Cranbourne clash on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien says he’s filled with “immense pride’’ after the Eagles bowed out of the finals race with a 15-point loss to Beaconsfield in the AFL Outer East first semi-final on Saturday.

O’Brien spoke of the character of his “special bunch’’ after overcoming a high injury toll to make it to the second week of finals.

After trailing by 10 points at half time, Cranbourne kicked four unanswered goals in the third quarter to surge nine points ahead at the last change.

Cranbourne’s Bailey Buntine takes a kick.

That lead became 15 points when Stephen Depaoli kicked the opening goal of the last quarter.

But Beaconsfield, with big Scott Meyer dominating at centre bounces, responded by firing off five goals in a row to run away with it, 10.18 (78) to 9.9 (63).

“Look, mate, I just think injuries took their toll in the end,’’ O’Brien said.

“We had a couple wounded yesterday but just overall I think we had probably seven of our preferred 22 unavailable.

“And for the boys to step up from the reserves, it’s a big jump…

“Big Scott Meyer controlled the game in the last quarter. We weren’t able to negate his influence at centre bounces. He served it to them on a platter and there’s wasn’t a heap we could do about it to be honest.’’

Cranbourne’s Archie Lawlor-Labato with the ball. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Stuart Morrish was named Cranbourne’s best player and after the game he wasn’t sure if he would play on next season.

O’Brien hopes he does.

“I think he’s the oldest player on our list and the year he had, he was just amazing all year, it just showed what a quality person he is,’’ O’Brien said.

“I said to him last night, I hope he goes again. But gee, the way he played this year I really hope he goes again because he’s still got plenty of footy in him but what he brings to the younger group is just immense and it’s pretty important.’’

Cranbourne’s Anthony Fischer has his eyes on the football. Picture: Valeriu Campan

O’Brien also poured praise on young guns Corey Ellison, Kyle Nunn, Cameron Angus and Mitch Tharle, who played in the backline for the first time on Saturday and was “huge’’.

“They’re going to be very good footballers for this club for a long time,’’ O’Brien said.

On Ellison, O’Brien said: “He’s a super talent, the kid. And he was huge yesterday. He will go to VFL next year, which is great. He’s got a big future that kid.’’

O’Brien said Cranbourne’s season was a success, given the circumstances.

“I don’t think many people expected us to play finals footy with all the players we lost,’’ he said.

“It was 27 players I think we lost at the start of the season…and then to cop all the injuries we copped. To still hang tough and qualify for finals was a big achievement I thought. And then to win a final just shows the character of the group of boys, they’re a pretty special bunch.’’

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O’Brien said Cranbourne had a list of players it would target to recruit – and wouldn’t rule out a possible return of champion Marc Holt. “It’s possible. I haven’t spoken to him but he was there yesterday and at the end of the day he bleeds Cranbourne, mate, so it’s probably always a possibility,’’ he said.

Beaconsfield 2.4, 5.5, 5.12-42, 10.18 (78) d Cranbourne 1.4, 3.7, 7.9, 9.9 (63) Cranbourne goals: S. Marusic 2, C. Ellison 2, A. Lawler-Lobato, A. Burr, S. DePaoli, S. Keenan, R. Jones. Best: S. Morrish, S. Marusic, C. Ellison, B. Buntine, M. Tharle, R. Jones