Box Hill overcome Lions in Development clash

 1/4 TIME1/2 TIME3/4 TIMEFULL TIME
Box Hill2.1.134.8.329.15.6919.19.133
Coburg2.4.162.6.18 4.7.314.8.32

Best: Robinson, Bailey, Symes, Schraven, Cooper, Gleeson

Goals: Symes 2, Gleeson, Schraven

Despite a strong start, Coburg’s development team fell to Box Hill by 95 points at Box Hill City Oval this afternoon.

In what was a wet, scrappy affair, the Lions were held goalless in the second term and fell away after half-time, allowing the Hawks to score freely.

Tom Gleeson again booted the opening goal to get Coburg on to the front foot. The Lions dominated possession early, especially in the forward 50, and pressured well. However both teams struggled to handle the ball cleanly in difficult conditions and were hurt by poor conversion in front of goal.

Josh Iacobaccio (16 disposals) gathered the ball better than many and competed well against taller opponents in the Coburg back line.

Rebounding half-back Nick Robortella always looked to play on and receive the ball. He finished with a team-high 29 possessions. 

Damon Symes – one of six Coburg players making their development league debut – provided a target up forward and booted two goals.

 

BOX HILL STATSCOBURG 
377Disposals300
208Contested Possessions152
75Marks73
65Inside 50s33
54Clearances39
19Turnovers19

Box Hill kicked the first goal of the second quarter and took control. Coburg fought back and tackled well, improved transition and generated more forward entries but struggled to lock the ball inside 50.

Daniel Cooper (28 disposals), Brandon Bailey (22) and Ricky Schraven (19) were also among Coburg’s major ball-winners.

A Shraven long bomb and Symes’ second were the highlights of the third term, which saw Box Hill kick five goals and extend its lead.

Aaron Christensen was injured taking a courageous diving mark in the third term after having an impact early.

The Lions will now face Frankston next Saturday afternoon at 3:00PM following the Channel 7 TV game.