By Nathan Spicer
Where and When
Blacktown International Sports Park (Sydney) Saturday April 9th 1.35PM
Last Time We Met
This is the first time the two clubs are facing each other with the Giants only introduced into the VFL last year in the Covid impacted season.
Form
After a nail-biting two-point win last weekend against Port Melbourne the Lions are 1-0 and on a high. We’ll travel to Sydney looking to continue the great start to the season against a in form GWS side who are 2-0. The Giants also beat Port Melbourne in Round 1 by 18 points and last week got over Frankston by five goals in a low scoring affair.
Preview
The Lions will travel interstate for the first time this season as they make the trip up to Sydney. With morale high after a strong pre-season campaign and a memorable win against Port Melbourne in the opening game last week confidence is bubbling amongst the group.
The Lions have made two changes to the winning side last week Corey Ellis (injured) and Aaron Clarke make way for Jhye Baddeley-Kelly and Harry Andronaco. For the third time in two weeks a former Calder Cannons product will be making their debut for the Lions. After Ben Overman and Flynn Gentile did so last week Andronaco who joined the club at the start of this season will be making his debut. Andronaco is an exciting small forward and midfielder. Andronaco impressed in a pre-season match in March against Essendon where he managed to kick a goal and have an impact.
Luke Bunker Q&A
It will be an extra special day for club favourite and reigning Jim Sullivan medalist Luke Bunker who is playing his 50th game this weekend.
Bunker expressed how pleased he was reaching the milestone “it has taken a long time especially with the Covid years but really proud to play 50 games in the VFL which is tough with a work, life and footy balance.”
Bunker hasn’t gone down the easy road after joining the club from the Northern Knights he had to earn his place on the roster after starting his Coburg career in the development squad he made his debut in the 2017 season. A season which also see him grab the Phil Cleary Rising Star Award.
It’s an experience Bunker is thankful for down the track though “nothing was gifted to me. In my first month here, I was in the development team I was made to work for it and had to play really well early but very grateful I learnt a lot about myself and footy and all the hard work ended up paying off.”
Since then, Bunker was been a part of the leadership group since 2019 showing how much he has endeared himself to his teammates.
When asked what his favourite moment was so far at the Lions, Bunker said “the friendships that I’ve made a lot of guys I’ve become really close with and become lifelong friends. Without being in such a great environment at this footy club I don’t think I would have had that.”
Bunker produced his best season for Coburg last year claiming the club’s best and fairest the Jim Sullivan Medal. The award meant a lot to Bunker “I was very humbled the hard work I put in has come off. I have started to play good footy the last couple years and to have my name in Coburg’s history is very humbling.”
The game will be streamed live and free on the AFL website and app.
