Season Preview – Cranbourne

They’ve “gotten the band back together” in 2021, and Cranbourne is ready to fly.

A number of Eagles have returned to the nest this year, and Football Club President Shane Baker expects this to hold his club in good stead as they look to make amends for their 2019 semi-loss.

Headlining the returns is favourite son Marc Holt, who has kicked over 1000 goals for the club, as well as 2018 reserves premiership players Jordyn Baker and Adrian Russo.

2016 Premiership Captain and former Best and Fairest winner Max Gearon will also be welcomed back, and dual Best and Fairest winner Curtis Barker.

“We have a lot of players returning and what that’s brought us is top end-experience,” Baker said.

“Marc and Curtis offer around 500 senior games between them and various premierships.

“So it will be great to have them back in our colours, they’re training the house down.

“They’ve wanted to come back to finish their careers here and that’s all part of our philosophy, to have that sort of culture.

“This club is 132 years old but we still continue to grow. 

“We have such a good coaching group and a lot of our focus has been making sure we’re getting buy-in from our players.

“Getting our u19s back has been a big focus for us, we’ve worked hard to get that back which is exciting for us.”

With plenty of depth within this year’s Premier Division competition, Baker said the Eagles were looking forward to playing competitive footy every week. 

“We expect the competition is going to even out a bit in 2021. The original Yarra Ranges clubs are doing a lot of work off-field and they’re going to be a lot stronger this year,” he said.

Cranbourne is also looking forward to playing out of its new ground, which Baker is confident will translate to on-field success.

“We’re looking forward to our new home,” he said.

“It’s the third ground for the club in the last 16 years but this will be the ground for the next 100 we hope.”

Following a strong 2019 on the court, which included another A-Grade Grand Final appearance, a C-Grade Premiership and plenty of junior success, Cranbourne Netball Club President Bec St Mart is confident the Eagles can emulate that form in 2021. 

“We have four very strong senior sides and we’re hoping our juniors will be just as strong,” St Mart said.

“We have a good bunch of teams all committed players who are really looking forward to getting back to the netball court and being back playing

“The way the girls have been committed to the pre-season and their training has been fantastic.

“The excitement is back at the club and we’re looking forward to our new venue too.

“We’ll unfurl our 2019 C Grade Premiership flag in Round 2 in our first home game, which is going to be a special moment for the club.”

Like all clubs, it’s been a long pre-season for the Eagles, but St Mart is confident the Eagles have nailed their preparation. 

“Fitness has of course been a big focus, and also recruiting some new junior and senior players, but also just having fun, getting back and connecting with everyone,” St Mart said.

“We have a good mix of old and new faces.

“We have a lot of up and coming players who have come up into seniors, so we have a fresh new bunch of players.”

Cranbourne kicks off the long-awaited 2021 season with an elimination final rematch against Woori Yallock on April 24.