By Mathew Asciak
A commanding first half performance from ladder leaders’ Kew was enough to fend off the valiant Lions outfit, who suffered their 3rd consecutive defeat in the VAFA Premier division. While the Development team secured their 4th win of the season, taking down the ladder leaders by 11 points.
Kew gained the ascendency in the balance of play in the early exchanges, in tough, contested conditions that were heavily affected by poor weather in the days previous, the Tigers won the early clearance battles.
Despite having the opening 10 minutes of play almost exclusively in their forward half, Kew were unable to inflict any scoreboard damage, only registering two minor scores.
Coburg fought tough in defence, Cat O’Bryan was a prominent defensive figure in the air, foiling the Bears entries with assertive spoils, while Dacia Abela and Amy Mitchener applied strong defensive pressure on their direct opponents.
They would eventually break the stubborn Lions defence, opening their account via a set shot after a high tackle from close range.
Following the centre bounce, Kayla Koropeckyj would shark the ball out of the middle and kick it deep inside 50 in search of Hayley Baber, but the Bears defence held firm and the scoring chance dissipated.
In a low scoring quarter, the Bears kicked the only goal of the term and led by 8 points at quarter time.
It did not take long for the Bears to extend their quarter time lead, a quick clearance caught the Lions on the back foot, eventuating in an easy gather and dribble kick into an open goal square in the opening minute.
Great tacking pressure in the forward 50 helped the Bears get their third, creating a 20-point buffer after 3 minutes in the 2nd term. Mia D’Agostino continued to fight hard for the Burgers, putting her body of the line to take an important contested mark as the Lions exited their defensive 50.
The constant tackling pressure, clearance work and clean hands in the tough conditions was the overriding factors for the Bears’ lead, with the Lions forward line not having any clear opportunities to score or mark inside 50. Two more goals would follow, and the lead was 34 at the main break.
Coburg began brighter in the 3rd term, with Lions forward players able to get involved and impact the game. Regina Said laid a strong tackle and propelled the ball inside 50. The Lions deadlock would break soon after thought Tayla Dinuccio, who kicked truly from a slight angle 5 minutes into the half.
Balance of play was even for the remainder of the term, with neither side able to hit the scoreboard, with the Lions keeping Kew goalless for the term, cutting the deficit to 31 going into the final term.
Georgia Sampson was great in the ruck in her first senior appearance, while Lauren Collis continued her great form in midfield.
Dinuccio and skipper Amy Duguid continued to fight hard as the Lions looked to create opportunities for the forward group, but the Bears held firm, with no scores either way at the halfway mark of the final term.
Kew managed to add one more goal in the final minutes, running out 37-point victors.
The Development side had a bright start their opposition, despite conceding the opening goal of the game, goals to Claire Cashman and Julia McArdle gave the Burgers a 7-point quarter time lead.
Lisa Halfpenny was solid in defence, while Chloe Perrett was a constant forward threat when the Lions looked to transition with pace on the counter.
Neither team was able to trouble the scorers until the final 3 minutes of the 2nd term until Mikayla Kotas slotted a set shot from 30m out directly in front.
Coburg took a 13- point lead into the main break, which had not been altered midway through the 3rd term, as much of the play was between the arcs, with neither team able to create a scoring opportunity.
Bowen Hackett would break the 3rd quarter stalemate after winning a free kick and 15m penalty, resulting in an easy set shot from close range. With the margin just 14 at the last change, the fourth quarter promised to be a nervy affair.
Soma Griffin and Chloe Catalano made some fantastic defensive efforts throughout the game, but really stepped up when it mattered late in the final term, as the home side threatened had the momentum.
Lilly Primerano was the best performer through the midfield for the Lions, excelling in the contest and working back defensively.
Final Score:
Development:
Kew: 1.2.(8) | 1.2.(8) | 2.2.(14) | 2.5.(17)
Coburg Lions: 2.3.(15) | 3.3.(21) | 4.4.(28) | 4.4.(28)
Goals: Cashman, McArdle, Kotas, Hackett
Best: L.Primerano, M.Kotas, C.Catalano, C.Cashman, S.Griffin, C.Perrett
Seniors:
Kew: 1.2.(8) | 5.4.(34) | 5.7.(37) | 6.7.(43)
Coburg Lions: 0.0.(0) | 0.0.(0) | 1.0.(6) | 1.0.(6)
Goals: Dinuccio
Best: L.Collis, T.Dinuccio, K.Koropeckyj, C.O’Bryan, G.Sampson, H.Baber
