By Ali Taleb
Where and when:
Piranha Park,Sunday 23rdJune, 12:30pm start
Last time they met:
Round 12, 2018: Casey Demons 16.12 – 108 Defeated Coburg Lions 4.7 – 31
Now a regular in the Melbourne senior side, Sam Weideman booted 7 goals against the Coburg outfit last year leading Casey to a massive 77 point victory. Starting like a house on fire the demons had burst out the gate keeping Coburg to 2 goals up until half time while piling on 9 first half goals themselves. A Coburg come back was never really mounted against a Casey side filled with AFL talent and experience.
Form in 2019
Coburg –
A difficult period for the Coburg football club over recent weeks has seen a string of successive losses against VFL powerhouses. Although the message from within the four walls has been positive, with coach Leigh Adams and his players taking plenty of learning from last week’s loss to Richmond.
Through a wave of Lion injuries, opportunity has also arisen for young talent to be discovered. Most notably, Hedley Smith, Liam Whelan and Mark Baker in recent games.
Casey –
Sitting at 3 wins and 6 losses after 11 rounds in season 2019, the demons will be feeling disappointed so far and expect to be a stronger side then what they have shown up until this point. With an unusual but confident revamp of the coaching staff at both Senior and VFL level. Sam Radford takes over the reigns as Casey Senior coach while now former head coach Jade Rawlings moves into the attacking department at Melbourne FC.
A convincing 10 goal win against Collingwood 2 weeks ago has put some air back into the Demon sails. With their stars finally finding some form, Casey will look to have an improved second half of the season starting this week against the Lions.
Players to watch
Coburg
Luke Bunker
A 29 disposal and 7 tackle game against the competitions bench mark in Richmond FC gives Bunker the recognition he deserves in season 2019. A beast in the midfield Bunker will look to bring his high pressure game coming up against Casey this week.
Tyson Lever
Over the course of season 2019, Lever has grown into being one of Coburg’s finest defensive men down back. A fierce competitor with a good left foot. Tyson will look to continue his form so far this season and help carry the lions to victory this Sunday.
Casey
Corey Wagner
A 3 goal and 27 disposal game just before Casey’s bye has been the standard of football that Corey has played in the VFL all season. A tackling machine Corey will again be the driving force in hope to carry his Demons over the line this Sunday.
Jordan Lewis
A 4 time Premiership champion for the Hawthorn Football club, best and fairest winner and a hard nut inside midfielder, Lewis has done it all in his carrer. Fighting now to get back into the Melbourne Senior side, Jordon will have a huge say come this Sunday against the lions as to who takes home the 4 points.
Selected Teams
Coburg –
B: 5. R. Exon, 6. H. Nolan, 26. L. Watkins
HB: 2. J. Corigliano, 7. T. Lever, 36. J. Guthrie
C: 17. L. Dickson, #10 M.Podhajski, 1. J. Murphy
HF: 27. S. Binion, 12. P. McEvoy, 37. H. Smith
F: 28. K. Noonan, 35. L. Whelan, 14. S. Stroobants
R: 43. F. Bollinghaus, 42. M. Lentini, 11. L. Bunker
Int: 9. B. Foster, 23. J. McDonald, 21. T. Meagher, 38. T. Old, 24. F.Carroll, 33. B. Reddick, 18. H. Simington, 22. A. Swierzbiolek
23P: 29. M. Baker
Casey Demons –
B: 56. W. Collis, 60. J. Hutchins, 67. T. Freeman
HB: 47. J. Munro, 45. D. Keilty, 68. A. Vella
C: 24. J. Kennedy-Harris, 15. B. Stretch, 16. K. Kolodjashnij
HF: 37. K. Chandler, 48. M. White, 20. C. Maynard
F: 23. J. Jordon, 61. K. Dunkley, 9. C. Spargo
R: 21. B. Preuss, 6. J. Lewis, 40. C. Wagner
Int: 12. T. Bedford, 46. A. Bradtke, 54. J. Briggs, 52. M. Gent, 79. M. Lefau, 57. A. Quigley, 49. C. Stockdale, 65. L. Wale-Buxton
23P: 71. H. Briggs
Two teams fighting for a better second half of the season and an opportunity to kick-start that trend this Sunday. A huge battle is predicted and we are encouraging ALL Coburg FC Members and family to come down to Piranha Park this Sunday at 12:30 PM to cheer on our boys.
Venue: Piranha Park
#WeAreCoburg
Written by Ali Taleb, who is 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.
