By Daniel Atamian
The Lions hit the road this weekend as they traveled out west to take on the Geelong Amateurs at Queens Park, Highton. Temperature was rising and the game was running as a six term game which would test the “Burgers” along with playing on a ground that would come close to rivaling the size of Piranha Park.
First term action commenced with Coburg’s senior side kicking off the game, both teams looked for an early advantage with the midfield contest seeing hard contested play for the football. It would be the “Amo’s’” who would look dangerous putting the Lions back line under fire pressing hard to keep the ball in their attacking 50 which almost saw them kick the opening goal, but a hard chase would see reigning BNF winner Dacia Abela get a hand on the ball to rush it behind for a minor score.
The Lions would continue to have their backs against the wall by the Amateurs who seemed to be repelling any attempt made to move the ball forward of center, however Alana Wenban would lead a charge forward from out back with help from new recruit and emerging star ruck; Ruby Taranto, forward Regina Said and another exciting new recruit in Laila Zayat.
2021 leading goal kicker, Sophie Damon who would prove to be the difference as she kicked the first goal of the game to give the Lions some breathing room, while Ruby Taranto would also look dangerous and extend the Lions lead with a goal of her own before the Amo’s would get a hand on it as the ball was crossing the line.
The second term saw the Lions come hot out of the gate with Tash Phipps winning the opening bounce and the defenders continuing their strong form from the first term by rushing the ball for a behind when the Amo’s looked for a quick attack.
Lions newcomer Nicole Stewart came in handy laying a tackle to slow down the Amo’s attack, this would be short lived as Geelong always seemed to have the momentum to go forward testing the Lions defenders which led to a deep kick in Coburg’s defending 50 for the Amo’s to run onto a loose ball and snap a goal to cut the lead to a few points.
Coburg looked to answer back with a major score of their own before the break but were unsuccessful in converting before the siren to end the second term.
Riding into the third term off the momentum they ended the second term on; the Amo’s, looked to hit the score board again with a free kick awarded in front of goals. Enter Dacia Abela with a smother which seemed to lift the Burgers defense by giving them a second wind.
There was an injury concern for Lions new signing; Lauren Collis, who went down with an injury which required her to be assisted off the ground. However this seemed to impact the Lions focus to a minimal degree as Simone Craige kicked a goal to push the lead out for the Lions.
Geelong Amo’s looked for another stab at goals but it wasn’t meant to be as the Lions got a hand onto their final attempt for a major score to secure a win for the Burgers.
The Lions development side played the remaining three terms of the practice match in what would become a landslide victory for the Burgers.
Sophie Damon continued to find the goals from her run in the senior side booting the first three goals of the fourth term showing why she was a SEWFL Team of the Year Selection and the Lions leading goal kicker. Not to be left out of the highlight package Teagan Brett sealed the fourth term dominance, slotting in a dribble kick before the siren.
Playing Assistant Coach; Alex Volk, hit the scoreboard in the fifth term, while Lisa Anderson and Anna Morrow also added to the Lions score with a goal each respectively.
Tegan Brett hit the scoreboard again with a major in the sixth term, while a flurry of new recruits who impressed during the game were Mikayla Kotas who slotted through two goals in the sixth term while Hayley Baber looked strong around the contest, as the youngster was applying great pressure amongst the opposition’s bigger bodies and Emma Chamberlain was impressive with her in-game awareness and pushing the ball forward into the Lions attack.
Development Team coach Blake Wadley after the game said he “was really impressed with the attitude and form of the team going into the contest, couldn’t [hope] for a better result”.
Scores:
Seniors-
GAFC- 0.1-1 | 1.1-7 | 1.3- 9
CFC- 1.3- 9 | 1.4- 10 | 2.4- 16
Development-
GAFC- 0.0-0 | 2.1-13 | 2.1- 13
CFC- 4.1- 25 | 5.2- 32 | 10.2- 62
Catch the Women’s Team in action next week as they take on Warragul Industrials at Jackson Reserve, Coburg from 12pm.
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