Disappointing Development Lions beaten by Borough

Best: Kovacevic, Easton, Totino, Sturgess, Hunt, Featherstone
Goals: Christensen 2, Easton, Miles, Featherstone, Kovacevic
Coburg never really got going in the Development clash against Port Melbourne, eventually going down by 47 points at North Port Oval on Saturday afternoon.
After a tight, even first term the Lions fell away and were unable to create regular scoring opportunities against the Borough.
Josh Totino was hard inside all day and his customary ferocious attack on the ball lasted for four quarters. He won possession in contests and, when tackled, often broke away or managed to get his hands free and find a teammate. He finished with 32 possessions.
Christensen booted two goals in a low-scoring Coburg performance that saw them manage just seven scoring shots to Port’s 29. Liam Hunt (28 disposals), Tom Miles and Andrew Sturgess (both 24) were among the Lions other major ball winners.
Port Melbourne started well – made to look better by a poor, sluggish start by Coburg. The Lions were held in the defensive 50 and while ball use was OK, decision-making was disappointing. Jordy Easton eventually found Lech Featherstone on the lead and the key forward slotted the Burgers’ first. Follow up goals to Christensen and Easton gave the visitors the lead.
Coburg were happy to patiently keep possession and chip short in the back half but often couldn’t find the releasing kick to set up an attack. A turnover gave the Borough a late goal as they took a small lead into quarter-time.
The second term was a scoreless, dour affair for the Burgers, who struggled to create any real chances up forward. Port Melbourne could only manage one major of their own but were wasteful in conversion and could have built a much bigger lead. Simple skill errors – such as dropped marks and failed running bounces – hurt the Lions.
 

 

Rory Lehmann and Jesse Boyd were solid down back, both spoiling well in contests and to rush behinds from long entries. Jordy Rogers found a lot of the ball (23 possessions) deep in defence and was reliable by foot.
Despite having just eight touches, Featherstone played a key role up forward with score involvements and bodywork. His strong tackle set up Christensen’s second and a quick handball helped Miles convert as the Lions booted two quick goals to start the third quarter on the front foot.
The Borough, however, eventually responded to maintain their healthy buffer going into the last term. Mark Kovacevic took a nice juggling mark and converted but Port kicked away in the last to win comfortably.