By Mathew Asciak
The Senior Women’s commemorated the clubs’ opening home game in the VAFA competition, putting together a superb four quarter performance, finishing 105-point victors.
With both teams looking for their first win of the season, neither team able to create a true goal scoring opportunity in the opening 5 minutes. The Lions were looking dangerous however, with debutant Cat O’Bryan, inserting herself into the game early on, taking a mark and playing on instantly, finding Jemma Laffey for an easy mark inside 50, though the attack would end with no score.
Laffey would make amends for her inability to finish the play, opening her account shortly after, getting behind her direct opponent and taking a strong mark 20m out directly in front, kicking her first goal in Coburg colours and gave the Lions the lead at the 7th minute mark. Coburg was dominant around the stoppages, giving their midfield first use. A passage of play between the two debutants encapsulated the connection, with a great tap by O’Bryan that was greatly anticipated by Tayla Dinuccio, who was unlucky to score.
At the 18th minute mark, the Lions opened a three-goal buffer, following a courageous mark from tall froward Elsa Mangan, opening her Coburg account. The goals on debut would continue, with Stephanie Filbay kicking a fantastic goal on the run late in the term, securing a 25-point lead at the first change.
The stats would showcase the Lions dominance, creating 7 inside 50’s to just the 1 for the Xavs and a clearance count that was 6-2 in the Lions favour at quarter time.
The second term was much of the same, with the Lions taking no time to add to their lead, with Filbay and Mangan kicking their second goals of the day, extending the Coburg lead to 41 points early in the 2nd term. Mangan was a constant thorn in the side of the Xavs, taking a textbook contested 1 on 1 grab, utilising some fantastic body work to gain key position in the duel.
Rovers Kayla Koropeckyj and Laila Zayat were instrumental in creating the offensive surge for the Lions, contributing heavily to the clearance numbers, 12-2 in favour of the home side at the half-time interval, finishing 23-4 for the game.
Coburg extended their 48 half-time lead within the opening minute of the third term, Laffey again given too much space, taking an easy grab and kicking her third. As the Lions caged the Xavs inside their defensive 50, a great defensive effort by Dinuccio was rewarded with a free kick, 25m out on a slight angle, joining the list of deputising goalkickers.
Tucked in towards the pocket, a chain of handballs between Laffey and Isabella Hayes would create space for a deep entry to the square and allow Ruby Taranto, who was a late inclusion for Michelle Sliwinski, to mark and kick her first goal of 2023.
In a match primarily played in the forward half, the Coburg back six were great when called upon, with Dacia Abela, Lauren Suleiman and Julia McArdle all applying great defensive pressure on the Xavs attacking threats.
With the result well beyond doubt, the Lions kept their foot on the pedal in the final term, adding another five majors, keeping the Xavs goalless.
COBURG: 4.2. (26) | 7.7.(49) | 10.13.(73) | 15.16. (106)
OLD XAVERIANS: 0.1.(1). | 0.1.(1) | 0.1.(1) | 0.1. (1)
BEST: L.Zayat, T.Dinuccio, C.O’Bryan, J.Laffey, E.Mangan, K.Koropeckyj
GOALS: 5 Mangan, 4 Laffey, 3 Filbay, Dinuccio, Taranto, Stepan
