By Mathew Asciak & Cooper Dooley
Round 4 marks three wins in a row for the Lions’ Development team; while the Seniors suffered a disappointing narrow loss.
The Lions began strongly in the opening exchanges, in wet, tricky conditions the Lions surged the ball inside 50 getting the ball in the hands of Mia D’Agostino and Georgia Sampson, but the opener would come through Kiana Minchin, who pick up the loose ball and kick truly from close range.
Fitzroy did not have any time to digest the first one, as the ball was propelled back towards their goal square, allowing for Emily Balaburov to get possession and kick a right foot snap for the Lions second.
Fitzroy answered back soon after, but the Lions were very much on top in the balance of play. Steph Filbay was a constant threat up forward, taking a couple of strong marks in the opening term.
The rain began to make its presence known in the final stages of the first term, Annalise Vine kicked the Lions third for the term, snapping quickly on her right boot, giving the home side a 16-point lead at the first change.
Chloe Perrett kicked her first on the day, taking a strong contested mark in horrible conditions. Minchin seemed to revel in the wet conditions, kicking the Lions next two goals, taking her tally to 3 at the midway point of the 2nd term.
The best goal of the quarter fell to Filbay as she competed for a mark in a one on one in the forward pocket, the ball went into dispute and Filbay simply brushed aside her direct opponent, gathered the ball and slotted a right foot banana from 10m out on a tight angle.
Looking to regain her spot in the Seniors, D’Agostino managed to get her name on the goal kickers list, capitalising from a free kick, going back and kicking truly for the final Burgers goal of the half. A six goal to zero 2nd term put the margin beyond for the 2nd half, putting a massive task ahead of the travelling side.
Filbay got the 2nd half underway by kicking her second of the day, extending the Coburg lead to 10 goals early in the 3rd term. Goals were hard to come by in the quarter, with the Lions only managing two more goals to Fitzroy’s one.
Perrett was exceptional throughout the day, occupying the dangerous attacking positions throughout, while accumulating disposals and being a vital cog in the Coburg ball movement from midfield to attack, earning her best on ground honours. Upon returning to the fold this week, midfielder Taylan Merrick was fantastic in the clearance, supplying the likes of Balaburov, Minchin and Filbay in the forward half.
Two late goals to Mikayla Kotas gave the Lions the full-time lead, rounding out a comprehensive 83-point win.
For the Seniors, it was much tougher going in their clash. Fitzroy began strongly, kicking the opening two goals. While the Coburg defence held firm, they were unable to convert their scoring chances, but were able to move the ball effectively from defence to attack.
Half back flanker Michelle Sliwinski was one of the primary movers off the back half, while midfield duo Laila Zayat and Morgan McNally were great in the centre of the ground. Rain began to fall late in the term, with the Lions unable to register a score and trailed by two kicks at the first change.
Fitzroy created multiple inside 50’s early in the 2nd term, to no avail, as the Lions countered from the back half, straight down the middle of Piranha Park, resulting free kick in the forward pocket. A centred ball to Regina Said set up the Burgers first goal of the day, as Said went back from directly in front. The goal helped sway the momentum in Coburg’s favour for the remainder of the term but were again unable to trouble the scoreboard and went in behind by 4 points at half-time.
Much of the same to begin the 2nd half, with Fitzroy dominating the balance of play, but unable to create any substantial scoreboard pressure. Coburg had passages of play where they had the outnumber, but the difficult conditions continued to hamper their final execution. Teah Stepan, Bree Unthank and Hayley Baber were among the better performers for the Lions in the trying conditions. Fans were full or praise the Lions as they continued to put in a superb defensive effort, incepting Fitzroy attacks and stopping certain goals for the away side. A goal less quarter set up a tight final quarter, with a slender 5-point margin in favour of Fitzroy.
Rain continued to fall in the final term. The home fans were urging on the Lions, as they searched for the elusive goal to give them the lead late in the proceedings. Ultimately, the tough conditions and stubborn Fitzroy defence preventing a last gasp Coburg win, going down by 5 points.
Final score:
Development:
Coburg: 3.4.(22) | 9.9.(63) | 11.8.(74) | 15.11.(101)
Fitzroy: 1.0.(6) | 1.0.(6) | 2.0.(12) | 3.0.(18) | 3.0.(18)
Goals: Minchin 5, Vine 2, Filbay 2, Kotas 2, Balaburov, Perrett, D’Agostino, Sampson,
Best: C.Perrett, E.Balaburov, K.Minchin, T.Merrick, M.D’Agostino, L.Primerano
Seniors:
Coburg: 0.0.(0) | 1.3.(9) | 1.4.(10) | 1.5.(11)
Fitzroy: 2.0.(12) | 2.1.(13) | 2.3.(13) | 2.4.(16)
Goals: Said
Best: L.Zayat, T.Stepan, M.McNally, M.Sliwinski, B.Unthank, H.Baber
