The Coburg Lions has recorded win number five against the Footscray Bulldogs in a tight affair at Piranha Park.
Leading for most of the game, Coburg weathered a third quarter assault from the Dogs, before putting the result beyond doubt in the final term.
Ahmed Saad did his Frosty Miller Medal chances no harm, kicking six goals, while Liam Hunt continued to rack up the possessions in the middle (29 disposals, 1 goal).
The back six again shut down a sharp opposition forward line, repelling 63 Bulldogs inside 50’s with good rebound running, using the ball well by hand and foot.
Lachlan Johns also made a successful return, getting through his first match in over a month, however, the Lions poor run with injury continued with Nick Robortella and Josh Cauchi both going down with knee related issues.
The Lions started the better of the two sides, with Ahmed Saad and Lech Featherstone capitalising on good early ball movement.
The bulldogs kept in check with some solid set shot kicking, but the Lions would answer with a string of quick possessions from the centre of Piranha park ending with Ricky Schraven who would double the Lions lead.
Saady then turning on the jets, taking four bounces and finishing to give Coburg a handy buffer at the quarter time break.
A strong contested grab and goal followed up by a soccered effort from the Dogs million dollar man Tom Boyd, kept them in with a sniff.
The Lions wouldn’t allow the Dogs to take the momentum into the main break, Daniel Younan, Liam Hunt and Cal Urquhart joined the list of scorers to extend the lead to a comfortable 23 points at half time.
The Dogs came out keen to cut the lead down, a goal from the first centre stoppage, proving their intent, before Tom Boyd slotted his third to reduce the margin again.
Despite having all the play Ahmed Saad kicked goal number 5 for the day to break the visitor’s momentum mid way through the quarter.
The Dogs wouldn’t die trying, going inside 50, 26 times, Tom Boyd capitalising on the high entry count to have the lead reduced to 3 points at the last change.
The Lions would have the perfect start with Ahmed Saad making it 6 goals, before Zak Wunhym went back from set shot to give the home side a 15 point buffer 10 minutes into the last.
The Coburg back six did their best to keep the Dogs at bay, Nick Robortella a casualty, being stretchered off with only minute left to play.
Soon after the final siren sounded with Coburg recording another win on the home deck.
Both the Seniors and Development sides take on Sandringham next Saturday at Piranha Park.
Best: L. Hunt, T. Goodwin, A. Saad, D. Younan, N. Robortella, O. Uysal
Goals: A. Saad 6, D. Younan 2, L. Featherstone, C. Urquhart, R. Schraven, L. Hunt, Z. Wunhym
