The Coburg Lions development side have made it three in a row against the Northern Blues at Preston City Oval.
Coburg played a solid opening half of football managing to hold of the Blues multiple advances throughout the second half.
Leaders emerged from all parts of the park with Nick Robortella (26 disposals) playing his best game since his return and skipper for the day Callum Urquhart bagging 3 goals.
The opening quarter began with the ball moving end to end as both sides got a feel for the blustery conditions on ground level.
The Lions would eventually gain the ascendency early, booting the first two of the game.
The Blues used the first quarter breeze to keep the ball locked in their half, managing to kick two back, as Coburg battled early into the wind, going into quarter time with a commendable one point lead.
The Lions began the second quarter wanting to use the wind to take control of the game, doing exactly that, with back to back goals from the square from Garret McDonagh and Jesse Corigliano gifting a 3 goals lead.
Mark Kovacevic dished up silver service for the midfielders, taking advantage of the Blues shortage of ruck stocks, While Robortella, Corigliano and Stillman mopped up and across half back.
However, a lapse in concentration for 5 minutes saw the home side kick themselves back into the game, reducing the margin to 7 points.
Callum Urquhart rewarded some improved ball movement from the midfield collective, goaling from consecutive set shots, ensuring the half time lead was 20 points.
The Blues came out firing in the third term, poor Lions checking inside the forward 50 allowing them to close the gap to 8 points.
Coburg tried to wrestle back the momentum, however we’re scrappy going inside 50, gifting three turnovers and wasting opportunities to extend the lead.
The three quarter time margin holding at 9 points.
The Blues again raced out of the blocks applying pressure around the ground, keeping the ball inside their half. Coburg saved by the behind post twice in a row.
The home team finally broke through after ruckman Sean Boldger brought the margin back to two points, before Matt King kicked a spectacular goal from the boundary, and Joel Madden converted a down field free kick to give the visitors some breathing space.
The game would end with Carlton rolling the dice with a long kick into the forward Line, Coburg running our eventual 6 point winners
Northern Blues: 10.13.73 Coburg Lions: 12.7.79
Both our senior and development sides have the state league bye and will not play next weekend.
Best: T. McConville, J. Clarke, J. Corigliano, A. Valeri, C. Urquhart, N. Robortella
Goals: Urquhart 3, Free, Wunhym, Sutherland, McDonagh, Corigliano, Madden, King, Hickey,Holdsworth.
