Match Preview: Coburg vs Port Melbourne
By Ali Taleb
Where and when:
ADCON Stadium, Saturday 27thJuly, 2:00 pm
Last time they met:
Round 5 2019, Coburg 12.7 – 79 defeated by Port Melbourne 12.13 – 85
The Lions entered this battle following some strong home ground form and it continued in the first half of this battle.
The game started as a highly contested and fast-paced duel, and with both teams having 6+ scoring shots in the first term, only a point separated them at the break. Seeming to have a spring in their step the Lions came out firing in the second quarter, kicking 8 goals to Port’s 2 and moving the ball with extreme pace. Experienced small forward Steven Stroobants led the charge throughout the game, kicking 4 goals while applying intense-forward half pressure. Port, as expected, responded in the 3rd, cutting the margin back to 8 points going into the final quarter. Although playing brave all day, the Lions were not able to keep up the intensity in the final minutes, allowing Port to better run out the last quarter and leave Piranha Park with a 6 point victory.
Form in 2019
Coburg –
An impressive month of football from the Lions which included a victory against Frankston, matching it with Essendon and going so close to it’s 3rdwin for the season against North Melbourne last week.
Coming towards the pointy end of the season, Coburg has seen a wave of young talent shine through in 2019. The emergence of young guns Mark Baker and Liam Whelan and the continual growth and development of utility Mitch Podhajski has the club very upbeat.
Feeling as though they missed an opportunity to walk away with their 3rdwin of the season against North, the Lions this week will look to take their form with them as they face Port Melbourne this Saturday. If the boys had taken anything away from last week’s game, it would be the belief in the football that they can produce.
Port Melbourne –
Coming into round 17 Port sit narrowly inside the top 8 and will hope that they can solidify a finals birth with a win against Coburg this week. Jordan Lisle, Port Melbourne Co-Captain and VFL leading goalkicker (29) has been the man that has led the charge upfront this season.
Although without a win in the past month of football, they are still a formidable opponent especially at North Port Oval.
Players to watch
Coburg –
Mitch Podhajski
A 4 goal and 19 disposals game had seen Mitch not only have his stand outperformance for the season but also come close to pulling his side over the line in a 3-point loss to North Last week.
As versatile as any single player in the Coburg team, Mitch has made himself an important part of the building blocks at Coburg. With his confidence levels up and goal kicking boots on, Mitch will look to continue his fine form against Port Melbourne this week.
Lochlan Dickson
Continuing his fine 2019 season form, Lochlan Dickson produced another star performance this time across the half-back flank for the Lions. Finding the ball 30 times and kicking a silky goal in the first quarter, Dickson is just about the most influential player for Coburg. The Lions will need all his skill to come out winners against Port Melbourne this week.
Port Melbourne –
Eli Templeton
A fortnight of 32+ possession games and Ports number one ball winner, Eli Templeton has been leading the charge in the midfield as of recent. Having had AFL experience with the St Kilda football club, Templeton is a dangerous and strong ball winner and will be a key part to Ports hopes this Saturday.
Callum Searle
A general across the half-back line this season and named multiple times in Port Melbourne’s best afield. Callum has been crucial to attaining a potential finals birth for his side, coming off a best on ground performance in Ports loss to Werribee last week, Callum might just be the man to steer his side back on track and into the finals series.
Selected Teams
Coburg –
B: 2. J. Corigliano, 35. L. Whelan, 7. T. Lever
HB: 5. R. Exon, 6. H. Nolan, 36. J. Guthrie
C: 23. J. McDonald, 11. L. Bunker, 1. J. Murphy
HF: 39. M. Saad, 12. P. McEvoy, 3. J. Weightman
F: 28. K. Noonan, 14. S. Stroobants, 10. M. Podhajski
R: 29. M. Baker, 17. L. Dickson, 42. M. Lentini
Int: 24. F. Carroll, 9. B. Foster, 13. B. Gillard, 4. S. Lowson, 21. T. Meagher, 45. J. Sandric, 37. H. Smith, 22. A. Swierzbiolek
23P: 46. T. Browning
Port Melbourne –
B: 23. R. Pendlebury, 27. C. Beasley, 8. D. Van Unen
HB: 37. H. Hooper, 36. L. Waddell, 16. C. Searle
C: 10. M. Arnot, 18. M. Wooffindin, 3. E. Templeton
HF: 7. D. Conway, 2. K. Haretuku, 22. D. Johnstone
F: 13. J. Blair, 6. J. Lisle, 43. T. O’Sullivan
R: 47. M. Wenn, 5. S. Lange, 4. T. O’Sullivan
Int: 41. H. Chinn, 40. T. Crosbie, 33. M. Gundry, 9. A. Krakauer, 12. P. Lewis-Smith, 39. G. Nagle, 17. M. Signorello, 29. C. Walker
23P: 26. J. Gasper
This week’s clash at ADCON stadium is shaping up to be a great standalone VFL battle.
We encourage the Coburg faithful to make the trip down to ADCON Stadium and cheer on our boys as we take the field in search of our 3rdvictory of the season.
#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.
