By Marcus Beeck
Coburg were outplayed today at Avalon Airport Oval as the Lions went down to Werribee by 62 points.
The Lions gave it their all in a physical display but were outclassed by a Tigers side that looks destined for finals.
Ryan Sturgess returned to the side this week taking the place of Dylan Thomas, while Adam Swierzbiolek was a late out for the Lions with Sam McLarty making his debut for Coburg after playing 47 VFL games for Collingwood, Williamstown and Essendon.
The Lions would be disappointed with how they started the match against Werribee after the club’s great win against the Suns last week.
The match started with immense pressure from Werribee as the Lions defence was under siege for most of the first quarter with the Tigers having 20 inside 50’s to Coburg’s three at quarter time.
While Coburg’s defence fought hard, the away team struggled to transition the ball from defence to attack as the Lion’s failed to create many chances for their forwards. With Werribee taking a 40-point lead into quarter time.
After the first break it was apparent that the Lion’s had been instructed to lower their eyes as they were able to transition the ball from defence to attack much better than they had in the first quarter.
This was evident through Coburg’s first goal of the day which came about after a controlled bit of play from co-captain Peter McEvoy and Corey Ellis, who helped set up Edyn Sibbald for a set shot goal, 20 metres out directly in front.
Key defender Harry Nolan stepped up in the second quarter as his strong spoils and seven marks for the day helped Coburg to stem the flow of goals. While midfielder Charlie Thompson was busy in the centre of the ground collecting 24 possessions for the match.
Coburg were weakened by injuries to Tom McKenzie who hurt his shoulder late in the second term and Mitch Podhajski who went out of the game with a corked quad also just before the end of the first half. Harry Nolan did not finish the game due to a knee injury while Josh D’Intinosante suffered a broken nose and Peter McEvoy sustained an abdominal injury.
Although Coburg’s improved performance was clear in the second quarter, a couple last minute goals from the Tigers would have knocked the wind out of the Lions’ sails.
But with just seconds to go in the half, Ellis was again able to set up a teammate in the form of Josh Kemp inside forward 50, who went back and converted a great set shot goal from 45 metres out, directly in front, to give the team a boost for the second half.
It was a sloppy start to the third quarter with both sides making a series of mistakes before Werribee were able to snap a goal, extending their lead out to 55 points.
The third quarter went very similar to the first, with Werribee controlling the play and keeping the ball in their attacking half.
One highlight of the match for Coburg, was 22-year-old forward Josh Kemp, who showed his potential as he continued to fly for marks and crash packs for Lions to go with his goal in the second term.
Coburg were able to kick two late goals in the quarter through Thompson and Josh D’Intinosante to make the scoreboard a tad more flattering, but the damage had already been done by the Tigers who took a 67-point lead heading into the final quarter.
The Lions started the last quarter well with the away side keeping the ball locked in their half of the ground for the first 10 minutes of the quarter.
And while Coburg missed a few opportunities, co-captain McEvoy soon kicked a great snapshot goal for the Lions as they looked to recapture some pride.
Luke Nelson in the long white sleeves was influential in the last quarter as he burst inside 50 and kicked a great long bomb goal, his second for the term.
Scores:
Werribee: 6.5 9.9 13.16 15.21 (111)
Coburg : 0.1 2.3 4.3 7.7 (49)
Best for Coburg: Thompson, Ellis, Maibaum, Walker, Marsh
Goals for Coburg: Nelson 2, Sibbald, Thompson, Kemp, McEvoy, D’Intinosante
