Late charge not enough for development Lions

 1/4 TIME1/2 TIME3/4 TIMEFULL TIME
Coburg4.2.265.3.336.5.4110.10.70
Northern Blues1.1.76.4.409.9.6311.14.80

Best: Corigliano, Easton, Cooper, Holdsworth, Bailey, Williams

Goals: Evans 4, Madden 3, Bailey, Williams, Cooper

Despite a spirited last quarter effort against a strong breeze, Coburg fell to the Northern Blues by 10 points at Piranha Park this afternoon.

Four goals to Morgan Evans and three to Joel Madden helped the Lions charge home in tough conditions but they couldn’t overcome a 21-point three-quarter-time margin.

The Lions lifted in all areas late – improving ball use, link up and switches of play – to dominate possession and scoring opportunities.

Jordy Williams was a standout for Coburg. He competed well against bigger opponents in defence, provided valuable run and carry, kicked a goal and finished with 23 possessions.

Jordan Easton continued his impressive form with a strong 26-disposal, six-clearance performance, while Daniel Cooper (24 possessions) and Jesse Corigliano (19) were also solid.

The Lions started well and dominated play and possession from the opening bounce, using the switch well to open up play and create dangerous forward 50 entries with the help of a slight breeze. Cooper, Evans and Brandon Bailey all converted well from set shots to convert Coburg’s control into scoreboard pressure. Liam Brandt was lively inside 50 and was relentless with his forward pressure. The Blues responded with a major but Evans snapped his second to give Coburg a buffer at the first break.

COBURGSTATSNORTHERN BLUES
341Disposals319
147Contested Possessions127 
96Marks103
46Inside 50s46
33Clearances33
23Turnovers22

It was a reversal in the second term as the Blues stormed back into the game, piling on five goals to Coburg’s one. Despite being under siege for the majority of the term, the Lions transitioned out of defence reasonably well but struggled to get the ball past half way. Williams kicked a terrific goal against the run of play to keep the Blues lead under 10 points at half time.

It was a more even game in the second half, with both teams playing high-pressure, fast-moving football and tackling hard. A fantastic individual effort by Corigliano set up a Madden goal but the Blues managed to increase their lead, despite the wind picking up considerably. The Lions were unable to punish the Blues’s wind-affected turnovers deep in defence and were hurt by a late goal that gave the visitors a healthy buffer leading into the final term.

Two late Blues goals in the last term ended Coburg’s impressive fight back.