AS MUCH as there is potential at Cranbourne, Saturday’s 16-point loss to Casey Cardinia League powerhouse Doveton proved that finals were still a fair way off.

There was a good mixture of youth and experience in both sides, but the Doves had the skill edge and were more organised when the pressure was applied.

However Cranbourne followers should not be too disheartened by the result because the Doves have been one of the benchmark sides since the league was formed and the game clearly indicated that the young Eagles were on the right track.

The first term was played at breakneck speed in perfect conditions at Casey Fields, however turnovers and mistakes by both sides at crucial times, cost goals.

Doveton had more of the play, but dropped marks and was pushed aside a little too easily when defending.

That point was noted and emphasised by coach Steve Henwood during quarter time, which saw the visitors trail by 14 points after Cranbourne players made the most of their scoring opportunities.

The Doves raised the bar in the second term with Trevor Davies, Michael Henry and captain Clint Wilson taking control around the ground.

Despite the efforts on Cranbourne runners, including Jason Davies, Josh Eden and Ash Adams, the Doves prevailed and led by 10 points at half-time and 31 points at the final change after keeping the home side scoreless in the third quarter.

Cranbourne could have layed down and waved the white flag, but coach Brett McMaster has instilled character in to the young Eagles and they rallied late in the final term, finishing the game with six unanswered majors and significantly reducing the Doves’ winning margin.

Such was Cranbourne’s wave of enthusiasm that some Doveton supporters were starting to worry that the home side may steal the game and Henwood said that his side’s tendency to relax was a worry.

“We played a lot better in the second quarter and the third quarter was terrific, but we certainly started slowly and the finish was unacceptable,” he said.

“I think a few things that we’ve identified in the past few weeks were problem areas again early. We dropped marks that should have been taken and made basic skill errors in the forward line.

“We improved in all areas until the last few minutes of the game when we relaxed. That’s the type of problem that will cost you games and we will not let that happen again.”

Henwood said that while they were not there yet, Cranbourne was an up-and-coming side and showed signs of becoming a force in the future.

“Cranbourne certainly has a crack and that’s the foundation to improve, so they’re on the right track, I think,” he said.