It’s just the first

By Mark Gullick and
CRANBOURNE, the victors, will try to emulate the deeds of Narre Warren, the vanquished, in the immediate future.
And Cranbourne coach Doug Koop yesterday said the Magpies would be favourites to win the 2012 premiership.
“I don’t want to win a flag one year and do nothing the next,” Koop said while still celebrating Saturday’s premiership with his players.
“We would love to win two or three premierships over four years.
“I’m not saying Cranbourne’s in for another period like the late 1980s or early 1990s, but that’s what we’ve got to aim for. We’ve got to aim for that success.
“Look at Narre; they are the leaders. They’ve won four of six and are trendsetters in this area and should start favourites again next year.
“When I came to the club (Cranbourne), I said I wanted to leave it in a better state than it was when I arrived.
“This year we reached a peak being undefeated. We’ve got a good core of senior players who understand a certain game plan and apply it.
“They know that if they stick to it they will be successful. Now that has to be instilled in the younger players and developed.
“It’s not just about winning flags … and it’s not about winning a premiership and dropping off.
“That has happened to clubs. Club loyalty is not bred through big dollars. You’ve got to get the kids to stay.
“Narre leads the way with kids. Their thirds won the premiership and they’ve got tall youngsters who can run. They have senior players of the future. I want us to be like them.”
However, last Saturday it was the Magpies who wanted to be like the Eagles.
As the final siren sounded to close the Casey Cardinia season, a throng of success-starved Cranbourne supporters rushed their heroes.
The win delighted the rabid Cranbourne faithful, who stuck with the team through the tough periods and the disappointment of early finals exit in the past few years.
The Eagles won the inaugural premiership of the division, back in 1995, when it was known as the Northern competition.
Cranbourne dominated this season, winning all 16 matches and holding a percentage of 234 before winning its two finals by comfortable margins.
According to the VCFL, the MPNFL is ranked second in the state and the only other undefeated team was Golden Square, which is affiliated with the Bendigo Football League, the seventh-ranked league.
The premiership was the ultimate reward for two Cranbourne legends.
Troy Datson, an Eagles life member, retired from playing with a typically solid performance, which included a brilliant final quarter goal.
Datson replaced the injured Michael Theodoridis and the premiership medal hanging around his neck after the match delighted Cranbourne enthusiasts.
Cradling the premiership trophy, the ConnectEast Cup, was outgoing Cranbourne president Gerry Kelly … a hero of a different sort.
Along with his committee, Kelly worked tirelessly to organise the club’s infrastructure that saw the players thrive.
Although the Cranbourne reserves fell short in their grand final, it was the first time in recent years that they have made the decider, highlighting the depth of players in the club.
“I’m very proud,” Kelly beamed.
“We’ll be kicking our heels up tonight, it’s going to be a big night for Cranbourne.”
The modest Kelly was the happiest man in the rooms after the game and can leave his post safe in the knowledge that his club is in a very bright position.
“It’s what we’ve been working for, we’ve finally got one,” Kelly said.
“Hopefully, it’s the first of many, the start of a golden era. We’ve got some great young kids and anything’s possible after breaking the drought with this one.”
Cranbourne’s history, which dates back to its formation on May 10, 1889, is littered with prolonged periods of success.
The Eagles achieved the three-peat on two occasions in the South-West Gippsland League, with flags in 1985 to 1987 and 1989 to 1991, in addition to the 1993 premiership.