BY JACK KOVACIC.
Coburg has suffered defeat at the hands of Williamstown this afternoon at Piranha Park.
The Lions showed good signs throughout the game, but the Seagulls were able to hold the momentum for longer and convert it into goals more often to run out 33-point winners.
Coburg’s ball movement was smooth early as it looked to move the ball quickly through the corridor as much as possible.
Unfortunately, as the quarter wore on, the execution didn’t match the ambition with a few costly turnovers the catalyst for a five goal to zero opening term for Williamstown.
Coburg looked threatening when they were able to play the game on their own terms, but Williamstown were quick to shut down the middle of the ground when the Lions rebounded from their defensive-50 in the second quarter.
A lift in pressure brought Coburg back into the game and the scoreboard began to show it.
Some lovely footwork from Sam Lowson in the pocket led to the Lions’ first goal, while Marcus Lentini’s (29 disposals) set shot from outside-50 built on the momentum.
Williamstown again brought a halt to Coburg’s ball movement in the third quarter, but a goal on the siren from Tyson Lever reeled the margin in to a manageable 34 points at the final break.
Coburg took the game on in the last quarter, playing on at every opportunity, but couldn’t come away with the win.
Lochie Dickson’s run was important all day, as he had 22 disposals to go along with five inside 50’s.
Jesse Corigliano was also amongst the best with 20 disposals, seven rebound 50’s and seven inside 50’s.
Debutant ruckman Adam Swierzbiolek (17 hitouts) drew praise from coach Leigh Adams.
“I really liked big Swizz’s game, I thought he competed really well in the ruck all day.”
Adams thought it was a positive performance with the likes of Tom Goodwin, James Belo and Ryan Exon to name a few all watching from the sidelines.
“We had some blokes stand up and play some good footy who hadn’t been in the team.”
“It’s a step in the right direction in terms of the results we’ve been having,” he said, “In terms of being in the game and dominating parts of the game, it was probably our best performance of the year.”
With the pressure still not quite a constant all game, Williamstown were able to kick a few easy goals.
“Once our pressure comes for four quarters we’ll be very hard to score against,” Adams said.
“It’s a bit of short-term pain for a long-term gain but eventually it will turn our way.”
Coburg 0.4 2.6 4.7 7.11 (53
Williamstown 5.3 6.5 9.11 12.14 (86)
Goals: Lowson, Lentini, Allan, Lever, Podhajski, Weightman, Mellington.
Best: Corigliano, Dickson, Mellington, Allan, Hunt, Wallis.
Photo thanks to Jordan Zmood.
