Craigieburn makes impressive run of signings

Craigieburn has enjoyed arguably the most impressive off-season of any EDFL club. We go inside their impressive recruiting drive.

Nathan Stewart for Euroa (left). Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Craigieburn has been one of the busiest EDFL clubs of the off-season but there’s a clear strategy to its recruiting.

With an array of young talent forming the senior side in 2024, coach Shane Jacobs was determined to add more experienced bodies.

“We’ve recruited fairly heavily but it had to be done,” Jacobs said.

“We’re not going away from our plan, we want to develop our younger players. We want to have success with Craigieburn boys, that’s not going to change.

“During the year we lost eight in a row and that’s when it really hit we needed to add some more guys, our depth was really challenged. There were times we were playing five or six of our under-18s, that’s not fair on them to be asked to do so much of the heavy lifting.

“One goal was to help strengthen the reserves as well and bringing in experienced guys is only going to help with our development.”

Luke Collins. Picture: Josie Hayden

Former Bundoora captain Luke Collins has joined the club as a playing assistant with his brother, Josh, also making the move.

Dynamic tall Nathan Stewart, who will play in the ruck and up forward, was unveiled as the club’s newest signing earlier this week from Goulburn Valley League outfit Euroa.

Also among the new faces is defender Jai Robinson who makes the move from Montmorency in the Northern league.

Cody Ball, Dayne Middleton and Dom mIcallef have been unveiled as recruits who will make a return to the club.

“All of our senior players from last year have re-signed,” Jacobs said.

“We did identify we needed to add a ruck, we brought in someone last year, they broke their ankle early in the year and then we didn’t really have a number one ruckman as well.

“We pretty much started recruiting halfway through the season, we thought it was important to get as many in the door early as possible.”

While there is plenty of excitement about the new faces who have arrived at the club, Jacobs is determined to continue giving opportunities to the Eagles’ future stars.

The under-18s division one side claimed the premiership in thrilling fashion this season with a five-point win over Essendon Doutta Stars.

“Our future is great,” the senior coach declared.

“We’ve got some kids coming up from that side, then a few are staying in the 18s where they’ll continue to develop.

“A few got an opportunity last year, they came in and played a role. They’re fast tracking very quickly.”