The Coburg Lions have taken part in their third and final intra-club game of the pre-season, at Highgate Reserve in Craigieburn.
In front of a small crowd and under the eagle eye of coaches, the finalized 2016 squad were broken into two evenly matched sides, playing in home (Blue) and away (Red) colours respectively.
The ‘Blue’ side dominated early on the back of five unanswered goals to begin the game, with Jake Lew’s back to back goals a first quarter highlight.
On a dewy morning for football, clean possession was at a premium, with the home side disposing more efficiently before Mark Orr was able to stem the flow late in first for the Red side.
The blue side continued to use the ball efficiently with familiar names like Johns and Uysal, who was carried off during the second quarter with a foot injury, tallying up the possessions.
A crunching tackle from 2015 vice-captain Daniel Younan wasn’t enough to spark the Reds who went into half time trailing by 31 points.
Continued midfield performance from Errol Mcconnell and Robbie Fox saw the red side kick multiple goals in the third, however it wasn’t enough as goals to Featherstone, Saad and Madden saw the blue side extend their lead to 44 points.
The red side continued to carry momentum into the last, kicking their highest quarter score of the game with goals to Cauchi, Younan, Kovacevic and Conn.
However it was too little too late as the Blue side ran out eventual winners by 39 points.
The Lions return to Highgate Reserve next Saturday (19th March) to take on the Werribee Tigers in the first practice match of the season.
Final Score:
Blue: 12.14 86
Red: 7.15 57
Goals:
Blue: A.Saad 3, J.Lew 2, L.Featherstone 2, B.Bailey, T.Goodwin, L.Johns, J.Madden, R.Schraven
Red: M.Orr 2, M.Merlo, D.Younan, M.Conn, J.Cauchi, M.Kovacevic