By Mathew Asciak
In wet and windy conditions down by the bay, a first win of 2023 remained elusive for Coburg. Williamstown proved too good on the day, defeating the Lions by 54 points.
The home side struck the first blow, getting maximum output from their opening move inside forward. They wouldn’t be able to keep out the Lions for too long however, when first year player Sam Mason slotted his first from the day after being awarded a free kick deep inside 50 in the 3rd minute.
Dominating the next 10 minutes, the Seagulls held the Lions to just one inside 50 at the midway point of the quarter, whilst creating 12 of their own. Despite the dominance, they were unable to translate the territorial dominance into scoreboard pressure. Mason would prove was proving a handful for the home side, taking a strong contested grab and kicking his second, cutting the deficit to 8 points at the 16th minute mark.
Debutant Daniel Johnston used some expert body work to nudge his opponent under the ball to take an easy grab late in the quarter. He then made no mistake, kicking the Lions 3rd straight goal. In the midfield, centremen Braedyn Gillard and Flynn Gentile continued to be the primary possession getters with 6 and 4 respectively.
Coburg creating multiple inside 50’s in the opening 5 minutes but were unable to capitalise and hit the scoreboard. They would be made to rue the missed opportunities, as the Seagulls kicked their 4th of the game and established the two -goal buffer. Two quick goals in the 18th and 19th minute extended the Seagulls lead to a game high 25 points, with former AFL listed Hawthorn midfielder James Cousins amassing 21 touches at the 20th minute mark.
Some great hustle and sheer will from Jhye Baddeley-Kelly and Gillard helped surge the ball to Max Kennedy, who was taken high. The simple set shot would be the last score of the quarter, but the Lions would be trailing by 16 points at the main break.
The Seagulls came out firing in the 2nd half with the balance of play reminiscent of the 1st quarter, with the additional scoreboard pressure they failed to produce. They managed to keep the Lions goalless, kicking six unanswered goals. Hugo McGlashan was a constant defensive presence for the Lions, applying 12 tackles at the three-quarter time break.
Coburg fought valiantly in the final term, managing to win the quarter by kicking four goals to three with positive signs from Mason, Clarke, Bella and Cameron.
Will Bella fought manfully against Seagulls Ruck Tom Downie and earned himself the “lion of the round” for his 33 hitouts in his first game for the club as the number 1 ruck.
FINAL SCORE:
Williamstown: 3.5.(23) | 6.7.(43) | 13.11.(89) |16.14. (110)
Coburg: 3.0.(18) | 4.3.(27) | 4.3.(27) | 8.8.(56)
Best: W.Bella, S.Mason, M.Simpson, B.Cameron, A.Clarke, L.Nelson
Goalkickers: Mason 2, Johnston 2, Clarke 2, B.Jepson, Kennedy
