Match Preview: Coburg Lions V.S Port Melbourne
Ali Taleb
Where and when:
Piranha Park, Sunday 5thMay, 12:30pm start.
Last time they met:
Round 16, 2018: Port Melbourne 15.15- 105 Defeat Coburg 11.12- 78 at Adcon Stadium
A fast starting Coburg outfit kicked 3 goals and 5 behinds in the opening quarter of play to lead 2018 elimination finalists Port Melbourne by 14 points. A 5 goal second term gave Port Melbourne the break they needed, with Robin Nahas kicking 6 for the game and leading his team onto a 27 point victory over the lions.
Form in 2019
Coburg- Last week our record went to 1 win and 3 losses for 2019. Coming up against the premier side of the competition (Box Hill) spirits were high at Coburg following a convincing victory against Frankston. Although a lack of a 4 quarter effort has been a major issue for the Coburg outfit.
Sam Lowson has continued his lighting start to the season and was a bright light again against box hill, booting 4 goals for the game bringing his season tally to 13. Harry Nolan was our Lion of the Round and both Nolan and Lowson made the VFL team of the week for their performances.
Eager to get back on the winning side Coburg this week will debut both Will Donaghey and Tyson Old, both players looking to put their best foot forward and help Coburgs efforts leading into round 5.
The Forward line for Coburg will look to bounce back strongly this week and regain the form it had against Frankston. Led by Peter McEvoy, round 5 might just be the stage for the Coburg outfit to make their mark against an in-form Port Melbourne side.
Port Melbourne– After a slow start to the season at 0-2, Port Melbourne have gone bang over the last 2 rounds. Knocking off reigning premiers Box hill by 4 goals and North Melbourne last weekend by 55 points.
With Port Melbourne’s coaching and player confidence at a high the side will look to continue its winning streak against an inconsistent but dangerous Coburg side.
A spread of goal kickers has been a key feature for Port Melbourne over the last fortnight, with 10 separate individuals registering scores last weekend.
With high scoring being a feature in Port’s victories this season, Jordan Lisle will again look to lead the charge after booting 5 in round 4.
Players to watch
Coburg –
Harrison Nolan #6
An anchor down back Harry’s pressure and marking has been a feature of his game all season. Taking 4 marks in the back half last week against box hill, Coburg will rely again on Harry’s defensive form to carry them over the line against Port Melbourne this week.
Sam Lowson #4
The competitions leading goal kicker, 2 bags of 4 goals and looking to be the bench mark small forward of the league in 2019. Sam Lowson will be crucial to Coburg’s season campaign. But first, they will again need his forward prowess this weekend against Port Melbourne.
Port Melbourne-
Jordan Lisle #6
Taking forward half marks for fun this season and coming off a 5 goal game, confidence for Lisle will be high. A danger for Coburg as he will look to continue his fine goal kicking form in round 5.
Callum Searle #16
Continuing his dominance across the half back line, Callum had been named in the best afield 3 out of 4 games this season. Collecting disposals and setting up his team mates from the back, Callum will be key to his side’s chances again this week.
Selected Teams
Coburg –
B: #5 Exon #6 Nolan #7 Lever
HB: #2 Corigliano #25 Tilley #36 Guthrie
C: #10 Podhajski #17 Dickson #9 Foster
HF: #27 Binion #12 McEvoy #32 Cannolo
F: #4 Lowson #18 Simington #14 Stroobants
R: #22 Swierzbiolek #11 Bunker #42 Lentini
Interchange from: #13. B. Gillard, #21. T. Meagher, #1. J. Murphy, #34. J. Neaves, #28. K. Noonan, #38. T. Old, #45. J. Sandric, #3. J. Weightman and #31 Donaghey,
Port Melbourne –
B: #15 D. Beddison #23 R. Pendlebury #36 L. Waddell
HB: #37 H. Hooper #16 C. Searle #5 S. Lange
C: #9 A. Krakauer #3 E. Templeton #4 T. O’sullivan
HF: #22 D. Johnstone #7 D. Conway #21 B. Jolley
FF: #2 K. Haretuku #6 J. Lisle #32 B. Pearson
RR: #28 T. Goodwin #13 J. Blair #18 M. Wooffindin
Interchange from: #40 T. Crosbie, #33 M. Gundry, #64 H. Johnson, #12 P. Lewis-smith, #11 B. Lloyd and #31 M.King
Back on our home turf this week where we saw a massive crowd help cheer the boys on in our first victory in round 3, we again encourage the Coburg faithful to provide support and watch our boys run out and battle Port Melbourne at Piranha Park.
At 12.25pm there will be a minute silence for Ian Liversidge after he sadly passed away on Sunday, April 28th. Ian was one of 11 club legends from Coburg’s 129-year history, a hall of fame inductee, a life member, as well as a VFA/VFL Life member who will be sorely missed among the Coburg Football Club community
The game will be live on radio, @ 3WBC 94.1FM.
Venue: Piranha Park, 12:30pm
#WeAreCoburg
Written By Ali Taleb, in his first year of his Bachelor of Business (Sports Management/Communications) degree at Latrobe University. The Coburg Football club is in a position to offer opportunities as the one Ali has taken. They are committed to educating our next generation of football leaders
