By Lachlan Mitchell
Cranbourne is armed and dangerous as it steps into Division One of the Southern Football Netball League in 2022.
The Eagles have taken the keys and are ready for round one, on April 2 at Springvale Reserve, against the newly promoted Springvale Demons.
Cranbourne coach Steve O’Brien has really embraced the challenges the new league offers.
“It hasn’t really affected us the re-shuffle, it’s a matter of us preparing, we really don’t know much about the opposition and they don’t know a lot about us,” O’Brien said.
The only concern for the Eagles lies within not knowing much or anything about their opposition, The new league provides a clean slate for them and their opposition.
“Historically we have known our opposition, the ins and outs; we’re going to be blind to it,” O’Brien said.
“But that’s really exciting at the same time, it’s going to make for some really exciting footy.”
Cranbourne was forced to assess its options after leaving the Outer East Competition.
The Eagles originally tried to join the Mornington Peninsula Nepean Football League (MPNFL) but withdrew.
“Unfortunately the Outer East Competition didn’t work for a number of clubs and ourselves, and the reality is, if we had stayed there, we would have lost so many players,” O’Brien said.
It’s hard to talk about Cranbourne without mentioning cult-figure Mark Holt and the impact his makes on every field he graces.
O’Brien has showered his praise on the Eagles legend as he looks to making an impact once again.
“Holty is Holty, he is always raring to go, he’s just a competitive beast,” O’Brien said.
“We just have to get through pre-season, he’s not a young bloke anymore, he’s also fresh, once that siren blows, and he’s the most competitive person that I have ever coached.
“He was leading the goal kicking before Covid hit and he’s averaging six goals a game. but you don’t lose your class.
“He’s been a cult figure for the best part of a dozen years now I reckon, he will go down as one of the greats of local footy there is no doubt about that.”
The Eagles have a number of players who have been training and are ready to make a VFL debut.
The players include Mitch White, who is currently the captain, George Grey, Corey Ellison, Jarrod Barker , Nick Russo and Jake Carosella.
Cranbourne will be hoping to ensure that its game plan is constantly changing and adaptable to the game situation.
“The fundamentals of the game don’t change and we make some tweaks. but you never stop tweaking the game plan,” O’Brien said.
“My time at the top at VFL was constantly about looking to adapt and change and modify the game plan from season to season.”
