For the round 8 “Battle of Bell St” clash with Northern Bullants (formerly Preston), Coburg has named it’s 28-man squad which the final 23 will be selected from.
Coming off a bye in round 7, Coburg has added Liam Podhajski, Josh D’Intinosante, Jonathan Marsh, Ryan Exon, Josh Watson and Max Kennedy to the team that played against Geelong in round 6.
The initial squad of 28 players is shown below with the final team of 23 players to be finalised before the game.
For Jono Marsh and Josh Watson, they have the chance to play their first VFL games for the season and for Podhajski, D’Intinosante, Exon and Kennedy a chance of getting back into the Coburg lineup.
Daniel Johnston has made way from the side that took on Geelong in round 6.
Coburg and the Northern Bullants (formerly Preston) have faced off in VFA/VFL battles for the best part of 100 years and from the 158 previous meetings, Coburg’s record is 75 wins, 80 losses and 3 draws.
Of the last 10 Battle of Bell St games, the Bullants have won 8 with 7 of them being in their guise as the Northern Blues (whilst aligned with Carlton).
In the most recent encounter in 2021, the Bullants pulled off a 1 point win.
That 2021 game saw the addition of the Harold Martin Medal for the best player on the ground, awarded by the winning coach, which was won by then-Bullants ruckman Daniel Hughes. Harold Martin was the coach of both Coburg and Preston in the VFA in the early 1980’s and is an icon of the VFA competition.
In 2023 the Harold Martin Medal returns once again and will be awarded after the game.
Coburg continue to search for it’s first win of the season following six defeats however the 8 point loss to Geelong in round 6 gave some encouraging signs for the youthful Coburg team.
Meanwhile the visiting Bullants have secured 1 win in 2023 which was against the Sydney Swans in round 5.
This saturday is also a significant day on the Coburg FC calendar with it being the 5th edition of Vicki Cleary Day and we want all Coburg FC members present at Piranha Park from 1.30pm onwards to witness the pregame ceremony and minute of silence as we raise awareness for the societal issue of violence against Women.
Checkout a video, put together by Coburg FC media with some great memories of previous Battles of Bell St – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkoaVLO2Rtc
Match details:
VFL Round 8 – Coburg v Northern Bullants
Saturday 13th May 2023, 2.05pm game start
Piranha Park, Coburg City Oval
Canteen, bars, merchandise, coffee cart and Wonder Pies cart is operational and the function room is open for indoor viewing.
Entry:
$10 for non-members
$5 for Northern Bullants members when showing their 2023 membership cards at the gate
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