Coburg’s development side have notched up their first win of 2017, recording a plucky 15-point victory over Werribee at RAMS Arena on Saturday.
Under new Development League Head Coach Paul Kennedy for the first time, the Lions would run away from a Werribee side high on senior VFL experience in the last quarter, giving a preview of the exciting run the senior side would show two hours later.
A number of recruits made a big impact, Northern Knights duo Chas Roberts and Luke Bunker excellent in the middle, former Box Hill premiership player Ryan Exon and Northern Blues recruit Daman Aujla exciting in defence, while Calder Cannons Billy Cannolo and Hayden Blythe blistered the Rams Arena turf with their run.
Plenty of returning Lions from last season also stood out, Cameron McRorie equally at home in attack or defence, Zak Wunhym tackling with his usual tenacity, George Romios taking some big marks and Keenan Posar a consistent four-quarter contributor.
Former Cannon Karl Brown, who led the TAC Cup goalkicking in 2016, picked up where he left off last season with the first two goals of the game kicking with the wind. The Tigers responded but another goal to Corey McKay put Coburg ahead by four points at the first change.
Against the breeze the Lions would register goals early to Cannolo and McRorie, however Werribee kicking with the breeze would continue to fight and would be within reach at the break.
The likes of Cassidy Haberfield, Bunker and Wunhym were racking up the possessions while Exon, Aujla, Posar and Blythe were all providing plenty of defensive pressure and carry off halfback.
The third term saw Cannolo register his second goal for the day, and continued to prove a handful for the Werribee defence. Big Chas Roberts also got on the board from a snap shot, adding to his impressive ruckwork that gave his midfielders first use of the ball.
The Lions headed into the final term with a narrow lead but with the wind against them needed something special, and they provided exactly that.
Quick goals to Wunhym, Blythe and Romios pushed the margin out to 27 points as Coburg harassed the Tigers at every opportunity and then showed great skills to score into the strong breeze.
While Werribee would hit back late, the Lions had done more than enough to record a promising 15-point win.
Coburg 3.4 5.6. 7.10 10.13 73 defeated Werribee 3.0 5.3 7.3 9.4.58
Best: Exon, Blythe, Aujla, Cannolo, Roberts & Bunker
Goals: Cannolo, Brown 2, McRorie, McKay, Roberts, Romios, Blythe & Wumhym.
The Development Lions will be playing at North Port Oval, this Saturday at 11am against Port Melbourne.