EDFL 2019: Craigieburn seals berth in Division 1 grand final

Lance Whitnall’s Craigieburn has earned a shot at its first premiership since 2016 after a devastating final-quarter burst sunk minor premier East Keilor in the semi-final.

Nathan Perrone celebrates a late goal in Craigieburn’s win at Windy Hill. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Speed kills. Just ask East Keilor.

The Cougars suffered their first defeat since May in Saturday’s EDFL Division 1 major semi-final as Craigieburn’s relentless running proved the difference on the wide expanses of Windy Hill.

Just seven days after copping a 60-point hammering from the minor premier in the final round of the home-and-away season, the Eagles scored a 26-point victory to secure a grand final spot.

Craigieburn led by three points at three-quarter-time before unleashing a devastating seven-goal burst in the final half-hour to seal a 17.9 (111) to 12.13 (85) triumph.

Corey Viani and Josh Young contributed six goals between them. Picture: Mark Dadswell

“It was fantastic. It was all guts and determination,” Eagles coach Lance Whitnall said.

“They fought it out well and we held them off really well.

“Our speed is our strength and it’s the way we’ve played all year.

“This ground will suit us a bit more, so it was good to get the taste of it and come out on the right side.”

ALL THE LATEST ESSENDON DISTRICT NEWS

MOONEE VALLEY THROUGH TO DIVISION 2 GF

SUNBURY KANGAROOS ADVANCE TO DECIDER

YOUNG TALENT TIME AT STRATHMORE

EDFL BOSS DISCUSSES PLAYER POINTS PLAN

SAINTS COACH RESPONDS TO COACHING RUMOURS

EDFL COACH SANCTIONED FOR POST-MATCH SPRAY

The likes of Josh Vilinskis, Brock Chircop and Caelan Anderson ran their opponents ragged in the second half.

While John Bellino was held to just one major, Craigieburn’s multitude of goal-scoring options were again on show, with Corey Viani, Shannon Smith and Josh Young bagging three goals each.

John Bellino celebrates a goal for Craigieburn. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Dominic Micallef also nailed two important goals in the last quarter after he was swung from defence to attack, while star backman Ben Fynch was again influential.

East Keilor star Ash Arrowsmith was a dominant presence in the defensive half in the first hour before his impact was quelled in a big win for the Eagles.

“Arrowsmith got on top of us early and we juggled a few things around,” Whitnall said.

“They played really well as a forward group. If we can keep doing that, we’re pretty good. We haven’t got one or two options — we’ve got seven or eight.”

While Craigieburn dropped two games against the Cougars by a combined margin of 91 points during the regular season, Whitnall noted one bad quarter had cost his team in each of those fixtures.

“We knew our best was good enough,” he said.

The Eagles, who last claimed a senior flag in 2016, will also be strengthened by the inclusions of Jesse Davies and Ryan Bongetti for the decider.

East Keilor coach Pat Christofi said his side was outworked by a hungry opponent.

“We stopped working,” he said.

“They ran, they spread, and we just weren’t prepared to go with them and create that running power we’ve been known for.”

East Keilor’s Dean Roberts is tackled. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Dion Hill contributed three goals in his return from injury, Nathan Lyons had minimal impact, while Josh and Nick Grabowski were restricted to just one major each.

Christofi said the Cougars would move on quickly ahead of a preliminary final appointment with Tullamarine or Westmeadows.

“I’ll review tonight (Saturday), we’ll look at it and then get on with it,” he said.

“We’ve got another game to focus on, so we won’t dwell on this one. We’ll just go to the next one.”

WHAT A LEADER LOCAL FOOTY SUBSCRIPTION GIVES YOU ACCESS TO

— Match reports, features, player and coach movements and analysis of all the leagues across Melbourne.

— Unprecedented AFL coverage.

— All the latest football news from across the country including Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph and Courier-Mail.

— Latest news and videos from the world’s leading leagues.

— Exclusive digital stories and videos before they go to print.