The Lions roared to a 15-point opening win at Piranha Park, 15.10 (100) to 12.13 (85), in a clear indication they are a side on the rise.
It was Coburg’s first win over its former alignment partner after it had lost a Round 2 clash between the sides by 42 points in April last year.
“It might have surprised a lot of people, but from my point of view that’s a result that in many ways I expected,” German said.
“We’re a totally different side to what we were last year. We’re a whole different set up. We’re a whole different club really.”
The home side was clinical in its output and ferocious at the footy.
It recorded 21 more tackles than Richmond, won more than its fair share of contested ball and generated some good drive from the backline with six more rebound 50s.
A big third quarter saw the Lions open up a game-high 28-point lead at three-quarter time after key forward Lech Featherstone kicked his second goal for the day.
While Richmond ran out the game better, from there Coburg already had the four points in the bag.
“When you’re playing against an AFL side, they’re pretty fit. So we knew they were going to come back,” German said.
“But I think the third quarter was really where we broke it open and we possibly could have even kicked another two or three goals in that quarter to set up a seven or eight goal break at three-quarter time.”
Lions’ captain Nick Carnell led from the front in the win, German noting it was the most influential game he had seen from the skipper.
But there were plenty of others to also impress.
Michael Hartley was once again a rock in defence, an area of the ground where Nathan Blair was also strong.
Through the midfield Ozgur Uysal was the leading possession winner on the ground with 31 touches while Daniel Venditti (25 disposals) also won plenty of the footy.
In his first senior game for the club, former Calder Cannons’ forward Josh Cauchi put his talents on show, booting three goals from 15 disposals.
Coburg will face Box Hill in an away match for Round 2 on Sunday.
Story by Chris Cavanagh
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THEY didn’t head into the match as favourite, but Coburg’s Round 1 win over Richmond was anything but a surprise for coach Peter German.