By Mathew Asciak
Three big inclusions for the Seniors this week as Coburg host West Brunswick AFC for their round 8 clash of the 2023 VAFA season.
Missing last week due to a dislocated finger, Tayla Dinuccio is back after her standout performance two weeks ago versus Kew. Featuring for Williamstown in previous weeks, Phoebe Chisholm and Sophie Damon re-join the line-up against the Magpies, adding more firepower and experience to the matchday squad.
Succumbing to a knee injury in the final term last week against Caulfield, Kayla Koropeckyj will miss her first game of the season, as will Jemma Laffey, who is sidelined due to a collarbone injury.
Tara Chetcuti will feature in the Development game this week, as will Mia D’Agostino. Back in the line-up as the Lions second tall option in the forward 50 is Ruby Taranto.
Rounding out the bench are Jaz Smith and Bowen Hackett. The three emergencies for the Seniors game are Chetcuti, Natalie Todaro and D’Agostino.
Match Preview:
After a run of five straight defeats, the Coburg senior team made a triumphant return to the winners’ list in round 7, despite trailing at every change against Caulfield Grammarians at Piranha Park. The much-needed win sees the Lions jump to 6th on the ladder, two wins off the pace of the top 4.
Victory in the round 7 clash was a significant one for the Lions, having to dig deep at various stages throughout to keep the margin within reach, as the Grammarians threatened to kick away. With the absence of Koropeckyj in the middle moving forward, it will give an opportunity for others to get their chance filing her role, which will be critical for the Lions as the season progresses.
The defence held firm in the final stages of the Grammarians clash and the team has shown great determination and resolve in recent weeks, despite the unfortunate run of results.
With this week’s opponents sitting in 5th and coming off a strong victory against a struggling Melbourne Uni side, the Lions have their work cut out for them as they look to secure consecutive victories for the first time in their debut VAFA season.
Elsa Mangan (7 goals) was back on the scoreboard last week after 3 weeks without a goal, currently leading the goalkicking at Coburg. Steph Filbay (5 goals) and Sheridan Bennett (2 goals) each kicked multiple majors against the Grammarians and will look to continue to goal threat against a stubborn Brunswick defence that only conceding one goal from three three scoring shots against University.
Maintaining their place in the top 3 of the reserves division, the Development team notched their 5th win of the season, easing past the Grammarians with a dominant 2nd half performance, in which the away side was kept scoreless. The midfield was the primary contributor to the success, with Malaya Rodezno giving the midfield group first use, facilitating dangerous entries and allowed the forwards to flourish.
They face a Brunswick side who currently sit below them in 4th place but have a superior percentage that will enable them to leapfrog the Lions if they are able to get the four points on Sunday.
Inaccuracy was an issue for the Magpies against University, finishing with 4 goals and 11 behinds, which could prove costly if they have a similar strike rate in front of goal versus an inform Lions’ outfit.
Seniors:
IN: Dinuccio, Damon, Chisholm
OUT: Koropeckyj (injured), D’Agostino, Chetcuti
Development
IN: Chetcuti, D’Agostino, Taranto, Hackett, Jaz Smith
OUT: Laffey (injured)
Team Line-ups:
Seniors:
B 30 DACIA ABELA 12 AMY MITCHENER 4 LAILA ZAYAT
HB 10 AMY DUGUID 46 KIANA MINCHIN 36 MICHELLE SLIWINSKI
C 9 LAUREN COLLIS 45 CLAIRE CASHMAN 23 SHERIDAN BENNETT
HF 19 GEORGIA SAMPSON 6 REGINA SAID 1 HAYLEY BABER
F 29 STEPH FILBAY 58 ELSA MANGAN 68 CHLOE PERRETT
R 39 TASH PHIPPS 67 TEAH STEPAN 5 MORGAN MCNALLY
INT 26 PHOEBE CHISOLM 65 TAYLA DINUCCIO 11 ISABELLA HAYES12 SOPHIE DAMON
EMG 33 TARA CHECUTI 13 NATALIE TODARO 15 MIA D’AGOSTINO
Development:
B 35 SOMA GRIFFIN 7 DJ UMAKI 38 ABIGAIL ADAMS
HB 33 TARA CHETCUTI 28 LISA HALFPENNY 24 JULIA MCARDLE
C 48 CHLOE CATALANO 31 LILY PRIMERANO 34 TAYLAN MERRICK
HF 37 LOUISA CAVANAGH 14 MIKAYLA KOTAS 16 JACQUI BROMILOW
F 21 EMILY BALABUROV 22 RUBY TARANTO 15 MIA D’AGOSTINO
R 56 MALAYA RODEZNO 13 NATALIE TODARO 18 ALANA WENBAN
INT 52 LISA ANDERSON 71 JEN SMITH 32 JAZ SMITH 42 BOWEN HACKETT
Match Details:
Round 8 | William Buck Premier Women’s | Premier Women’s Reserves
Coburg Lions vs West Brunswick AFC
Piranha Park
Sunday 4th June, 11:40am (Reserves 9:40am)
*Coburg teams are subject to VFLW and Top Up player availability
#WeAreCoburg #LionMode
