Development Lions fight hard to beat Casey

Best: Williams, Totino, Sortino, Sturgess, Madden, Robortella
Goals: Cooper 2, Robortella 2, Gleeson 2, Madden 2, Schraven 2, Sturgess, Holdsworth

Coburg controlled the majority of the game – apart from a disappointing second term – to defeat the Scorpions by 21 points at Piranha Park on Saturday afternoon.
Standout displays from inside midfielders Josh Totino and Andrew Sturgress were helped by an even contribution from Coburg’s forwards. Tom Gleeson, Joel Madden and Daniel Cooper – as well as Ricky Schraven and Nick Robortella – all booted two goals each in the Lions second win over Casey in as many weeks.
Josh Totino again produced strong, consistent inside work and finished with 28 disposals – Coburg’s highest. He continually won contested ball and had 10 clearances for the Lions and was assisted well in the midfield by Andrew Sturgess (25 disposals, eight clearances), Jordy Williams (22) and Tom Miles (21).
The Lions got off to a good start but were overwhelmed by the Scorpions’ impressive six-goal to one second term. After the break however, the Lions lifted to retake the lead and then build a healthy buffer to run out comfortable winners.
Coburg’s first goal specialist Tom Gleeson converted his set shot before Joel Madden finished well from a tough angle to give Coburg early control. The Lions began to improve their ball use and pressure, making it difficult for the visitors to exit their back half.
Ruckman Ben Sortino fought hard and dropped back to fill holes in defence. He courageously went back with the flight on one occasion and was hit heavily but carried on. Just moments later he repeated his effort to make a crucial spoil.
Sturgess added a goal to his good form as Coburg took a handy lead into the first break.
The Scorpions dominated possession and scoring opportunities in the second term while Coburg struggled to get the ball past the wing and lacked the key pass needed to set up an attack. Gleeson won a free kick as the half-time siren sounded and slotted an important goal for the Lions.
The Lions used this – and an early Daniel Cooper goal – to build momentum in the second half. After a long goalless period that saw possession hard to hold and the game tighten up considerably, Nick Robortella kicked a rare major to break the deadlock. The Lions added three more goals, including Madden’s second after the three-quarter-time siren, to take the ascendancy.
Robortella was tackled but managed to dribble home his second before Schraven converted his second from a set shot to ensure the Burgers took the four points.
Ruckman Ben Sortino fought hard and dropped back to fill holes in defence. He courageously went back with the flight on one occasion and was hit heavily but carried on. Just moments later he repeated his effort to make a crucial spoil.
Sturgess added a goal to his good form as Coburg took a handy lead into the first break.
The Scorpions dominated possession and scoring opportunities in the second term while Coburg struggled to get the ball past the wing and lacked the key pass needed to set up an attack. Gleeson won a free kick as the half-time siren sounded and slotted an important goal for the Lions.
The Lions used this – and an early Daniel Cooper goal – to build momentum in the second half. After a long goalless period that saw possession hard to hold and the game tighten up considerably, Nick Robortella kicked a rare major to break the deadlock. The Lions added three more goals, including Madden’s second after the three-quarter-time siren, to take the ascendancy.
Robortella was tackled but managed to dribble home his second before Schraven converted his second from a set shot to ensure the Burgers took the four points.