By Daniel Atamian
It’s a rare feat to achieve but when accomplished it is a spectacle to behold, and in the final round of the 2022 SEWFL Premier Division home & away season the Coburg Lions senior side completed their perfect 14-0 run after defeating club rivals; the Frankston Dolphins at home to claim the minor premiership and go into the finals undefeated.
Going into the first quarter of the game the Frankston Dolphins played with intent ready to hand the Lions their first loss of the season pushing the ball hard into their forward line, but the Lions were holding strong. The Dolphins ball movement looked flawless as they were able to move and keep the ball locked in their forward 50, however it would be apparent that neither team would be able to get full control of the ball to dictate the game play as neither team was giving an inch, though Coburg was finally able to move the ball into their attacking half, but it would ultimately be Frankston drawing first blood by opening the score board for the game. Coburg would shortly respond back to the Dolphins with Teagan Brett slotting in the Lions opener, the celebrations would come at a cost as Brittney Gray would go down to injury leaving the game with the ball winning midfielder taking no further part in the game. Despite the Loss of Gray, the Lions would still find a way to hit the scoreboard again as Ruby Taranto would kick her first for the game while Brett would snap her second before the break.
The second quarter started much like the first with the Dolphins coming out of the gates hot with pressure around the ball at all times, the Lions would respond with a third goal from Brett to extend their lead and give the Burgers some breathing room. Though Frankston would come back with a goal of their own Rachael Burton would step up and slot in another for the Lions as they tried to put a grip on their lead which would be followed up by a goal from Sophie Damon. Frankston now trying to move the ball with urgency tried their best to get the ball down into their forward 50 to score another goal, however they would ultimately be beaten by the siren to go into the major break down against the Lions.
Third quarter of the game saw the Lions come out ready against a hard hitting Dolphin attack on the footy like they saw in the first half of the game. Much to the credit of Frankston whenever the Burgers tried to move the ball forward they would be at the contest, refusing to go away. Coburg would slog its way to get the ball into their forward line finding a way to get the ball to Brett who would top off the Lions efforts with a dribble kick for goal despite the Dolphins attempts to repel the ball out of their defensive half of the game the Lions were able to break through with Taranto plucking a mark for a set shot and slotting it through for another major score for the Lions. It would be dead ball in the Dolphins attacking half soon after, with Coburg unable to get full control of the ball to move it in their favour to a neutral area in the middle or their attacking half. The Burgers made one last ditch attempt to break the game open and hit the scoreboard once more but were beaten by the siren.
Entering the final term Coburg looked to come out of the gates hot again moving the ball on their terms which led to a goal from Regina Said to put further pressure on Frankston. The Dolphins tried to get dangerous moving the ball quickly into their forward 50 and snapping at goal to answer back to the Lions but would narrowly miss, leading to some run and carry work from Laila Zayat who was able to break lines and get passed the Dolphins pressure forwards from half back to the wing along the boundary line to push the ball back into the Lions attacking territory. The Burgers tried to score another major off the forward momentum they received but the Dolphins defense was holding strong, Damon however found her way to break through the defense and slot through her second for the game to further extend the Lions lead. Celebrations were short lived as Frankston was able to score another goal of their own as Coburg looked to hit back with another goal only for the siren to sound to end the final SEWFL game of 2022 seeing Coburg end as winners with a perfect 14-0 record.
SCORES-
COB: 3.0.18 | 6.1.37 | 8.1.49 | 10.4.64
FRA: 1.0.6 | 2.2.14 | 2.4.16 | 3.6.24
GOALS: (4) T.Brett, (2) S.Damon, R. Taranto, (1) R. Burton & R. Said
Stay tuned for more Lions footy game day information as both the Senior & Development Teams are set to take part in finals with Qualifying Games next week on Saturday 20th August 2022.
#WeAreCoburg #LeadUniteLeaveALegacy
