By Mathew Asciak
In windy conditions at Piranha Park last Saturday our Lions hosted the Sandringham Zebras for their round 18 encounter, going down by 18 points: 9.7.61 to 12.17.89.
Kicking against the breeze in the opening term, the Lions began on the backfoot, as the Zebras charged forward, taking full advantage, and creating a 20-point deficit in the opening 10 minutes. Jack Maibaum was a calming presence down back, showing his elite intercept marking ability early on, giving some rest bite for the home side.
Josh D’Intinosante would stem the flow of goals from the away side, executing from close range following a free kick in the forward pocket. The Zebras would maintain territory for the quarter, restricting the home side to any effective ball movement in the difficult conditions. Braedyn Gillard was busy early on, collecting 10 disposals. Coburg trailed by 29 points at the first break.
The Lions took no time to utilise the wind in the 2nd term, with Luke Nelson executing from 50m after profiting from a downfield 50m penalty. It would not be his only major of the quarter. After expertly trapping a bouncing ball, he turned on his right and watched the ball sail over the pair of players in the goal square and bounce through. Eager to decrease the deficit, goals from Nathan Boucher and Gillard decreased the margin to 12 points. The Zebras settled the play for the next few minutes, getting out to an 18-point lead, but it would be cut down to 6 after Nelson kicked his 3rd of the match.
Regaining the wind for the 3rd term, the Zebras threatened early on, tallying a minor score after a strong mark inside 50. They would eventually strike first after some a smooth handball chain from centre wing, complete with a short pass for an uncontested mark. The home side defended valiantly for the opening 12 minutes, capsulated by the courageous co-captain Ryan Exon, throwing his body on the line to smother a defensive 50 exit, keeping ball in the Burgers attacking half. However, the quarter showed many similarities with the opening term, with the Lions under the relenting pressure of repeat inside 50’s. A goal after the 3rd quarter siren extended the Zebras lead to 35 at the last change.
The final term began brightly for Coburg with goals two goals from Pete McEvoy and a single major from D’Intinosante, bringing the lead down to a manageable 17-points with plenty of time on the clock. Coburg were unable to breach the 3-goal threshold, however, with the Zebras kicking a steading goal, taking the margin beyond 20 points. A couple near misses from Corey Ellis and Flynn Gentile proved costly as the Lions attempted to wrestle back momentum.
Goals:
Nelson (3), D’Intinosante (2), McEvoy (2), Boucher, Gillard.
