Development Lions hold off Zebras

Best: Johns, Mance, Robinson, Hill, Schraven, Rogers

Goals: Hill 4, Robinson, MacDonald, Thomas, Schraven

 
Four goals from Dion Hill and an impressive performance by Lachie Johns helped Coburg hold off Sandringham to win by 17 points in tough, wintery conditions at Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday afternoon.
Dion Hill constantly beat his direct opponent to boot the opening three goals of the game – all of which came from snaps in the pocket. His last goal came late and proved to the priceless steadier that Coburg needed so badly.
Johns impacted contest after contest and collected a team-high 20 disposals (14 contested). He tackled well, had 7 inside 50s and marked the slippery ball well overhead. Ricky Schraven (19 disposals, one goal) was a solid performer, as were Nathan Thomas and Jai Robinson.
It was a tale of two halves for the Lions. Coburg began strongly to set up a match-winning lead in the first half and managed to hold on to their diminishing lead as they fell away in the second.
Unperturbed by wintery conditions, the Lions – and particularly Hill – started well. Hill was one of many Lions who were rarely beaten in one-one-one contests up forward. While Coburg’s inside 50 entries were poor at times, they still dominated the opening term, holding the Zebras scoreless.
Sandringham managed their first in the second term but goals to Thomas, Dean MacDonald and Schraven helped the Lions maintain control. The Lions showed good intensity and often lead the Zebras to the ball in contests. In typical Coburg fashion, the Lions always looked to take the game on and move the ball quickly when possible but – unlike in recent weeks – didn’t take unnecessary risks.
After the main break Sandringham lifted and outworked Coburg, who were held goalless in the third term. Despite defending reasonably well, the Lions conceded early and decision-making and pressure then dropped off for long periods.
Hill had an easy chance to kick his fourth but opted not to run into point blank range and missed from fifteen metres out unopposed. A late Zebras goal maintained their momentum heading into the final term in unrelenting rain.
Sandringham stormed out of the blocks in the last – booting two goals in as many minutes – before Hill struck with his fourth. The Lions regained their early form in the last ten minutes, dominating possession and improving their zone set ups to restrict the Zebras.