By Tara Murray

Craigieburn is continuing to ride a wave of momentum as it progresses into the second week of Essendon District Football League division 1 finals.

Coming into the finals on a hot streak, the Eagles faced Avondale Heights in an elimination final on Sunday.

The two sides had played in the final round of the season, with an Eagles win securing their finals spot.

It was the same result as the Eagles continued on into the next round and the Heights season came to an end with the Eagles winning, 13.14 (93)-10.10 (70).

Eagles football manager Jason Andrews said they continue to ride the wave. He said there was plenty of excitement around the club.

“It was amazing and the boys enjoyed it,” he said. “It was so good and it was a great team effort.

“They are really up and about and the pressure was high for the whole four quarters.”

Andrews said the playing group was a bit quieter before the game than they normally are as they focused on the task at hand.

But come the first siren they were ready to go.

They kicked the only four goals of the first quarter to lead by 27 points.

It was a lead they would never give up.

The margin was still 27 points at the main break.

“We had a really good start, the tackling pressure and intensity was up,” Andrews said. “They were playing for their teammates and not being selfish.

“We settled in the first half.”

Avondale Heights came hard in the second half and had the margin back to 18 points early in the last quarter.

Andrews said they knew that Avondale would come at them.

“We kept working on what we had been doing and kept the pressure high,” he said. “We moved the ball well and had patience as a team.

“We knew we had it.”

Andrews said it was a real good team effort with different players stepping up at different times.

Skipper Jamie Gorgievski kicked four goals for the Eagles.

Sammy Laffan, Gorgievski and Hayden Polly were named best.

Stepping onto the big stage was Moustafa Darwish, who made his senior debut for the Eagles.

He played for Vic Metro in the under-16 national championships.

The Eagles now face West Coburg in a knockout semi final.

West Coburg lost its qualifying final with Hillside on Saturday.

Andrews said they were looking forward to the challenge.

“We led and they were able to peg it back late in the game,” he said. “They won by three points.

“We are excited to be there and want to have more impact in finals.

“We are up for the challenge.”