The Coburg Lions has defeated the Werribee Tigers by 14 points at Avalon Airport Oval.
A strong middle two quarters from the Seniors set up the victory, again, lead from the midfield, Goodwin (48 hit-outs), Uysal (34 disposals), Fox and Hunt (8 clearances a piece) all stand outs.
Ahmed Saad and Rick Schraven were the pick of the forwards, while a young back six held their own against a dangerous Werribee forward line.
The game started on the Lions terms, Mark Orr crunching North Melbourne forward Aaron Black in a contest, forcing him to prematurely leave the game.
Despite losing Black, Werribee managed to take a lead of 11 points. To Coburg’s credit they wrestled back the momentum and mounted an attack of their own, goals to Featherstone and Cauchi leaving the game wide open.
Quick hands around the contest a highlight for the Lions who surged forward a number of times, unable to capitalise, where the Tigers did, allowing them to take a 7 point advantage at the first break.
Coburg started the better of the two sides in the second quarter, good pressure at the contest allowing them to lock the ball in their half, however inaccurate kicking (four straight behinds) would give Werribee a lifeline.
Fox and Usyal began to stand up in the middle, using the ball well off the ruck work of Goodwin, resulting in consecutive Schraven goals.
Minutes later Keenan Posar went one better on last week’s miracle goal of the year contender, deeper in the pocket he nailed a snap to send the visitors up by 13 points.
The back six also holding strong, not conceding a point for the second quarter, ensuring the Lions would lead by three goals at half time.
Ahmed Saad made sure that Coburg got off to a flying start, getting on the scoreboard with consecutives as the Lions pressed ahead by 5 goals.
Werribee were gifted a set shot, scoring for the first time in almost 50 minutes of play, a credit to Coburg’s pressure around the ground.
As Werribee pressed forward, looking to keep themselves in the game at the last change, Nick Robortella snuck forward to convert, giving a handy 27 point buffer.
The home side made their push early in the final quarter, however, the Lions would answer every call, a Werribee goal after the siren cutting the winning margin to 14 points.
Best: T. Goodwin, J. Iacobaccio, L. Ryan, L. Hunt, R. Fox, B. Allan
Goals: Schraven, Saad 2, Featherstone, Cauchi, Posar, Younan, Robortella
