By Mathew Asciak
Both the Senior and Development teams secured important round 10 victories over Melbourne University this afternoon. Having suffered a narrow loss in round 1 to University, the Seniors were eager to even the ledger on home turf.
A tight first 10 minutes saw the away side break the deadlock, but the Lions struck back soon after in the 11th minute mark through Regina Said, who found some space in the 50 for an easy mark and goal. A few rushed behinds and near misses from Coburg kept University within touching distance at quarter time, with the margin currently at 5 points.
University had the upper hand for large parts of the 2nd term, but were unable to apply any substantial scoreboard pressure, only adding one goal and one behind for the quarter. Despite being on the backfoot, the Lions maintained high pressure around ball, led by Morgan McNally, skipper Amy Duguid and Laila Zayat who was intent on attacking the contest at pace, looking to rebound quickly off half-back.
Trailing by 2 points at the main break, Coburg came out firing in the 3rd term, kicking three goals in the opening 8 minutes to storm out to a 22-point lead. Lauren Collis kicked the first, collecting a loose ball and quickly snapping around the corner on her right boot. A similar goal by Alana Wenban followed shortly after and Stephanie Filbay kicked two in a row, including a superb solo effort from a tight angle after tracking down a loose ball. The flurry of Lions goals was capped off with Collis’ second of the term and Coburg took a commanding 28-point lead at the final change.
A hotly contested final term saw neither team gain much prolonged periods of momentum, with both sides only managing one goal apiece. Versatile tall Georgia Sampson kicked her sole major for the day midway through the term, capping off a well deserved 25-point win.
Our Development team continued its’ great from and secured the season double over University, with a thumping 92-point win.
The Lions led every step of the way as they looking to defend home turf, dominating the early exchanges but were unable to get maximum reward, kicking four minor scores before kicking the first major. A defender by trade, Abigail Adams (15 disposals, 5 tackles, 2 goals) seemed to enjoy her new role. Bowen Hackett (11 disposals, 2 goals) would hit the scoreboard soon after, giving the Lions a 16-point quarter time lead.
Coburg would kick away in the 2nd term, as the midfield and forward brigade began firing on all cylinders. Midfield duo Emily Balaburov (19 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 goals) haa another great performance, while Lilly Primerano (33 disposals, 8 tackles, 7 clearances) had a severe case of leather poisoning, collecting disposals in any which way propel countless Coburg forward moves.
Coburg newcomers Sarah Jolly (16 dispoals, 2 goals) and Armina Sherifi (13 disposals, 1 goal) were superb in their first outings in the red and blue.
Returning Lions Emma Chamberlain (8 disposals, 3 clearances, 1 mark) and Ella Menzies (15 disposals, 1 clearance) had successful outings, not missing a beat after being unavailable for much of this season.
The Burgers added another 6 goals in the 2nd half, rounding out a comprehensive victory and a capped off a great day as they look ahead to the upcoming bye.
Final Score:
Development:
Coburg Lions: 2.4. (16) | 7.8.(50) | 11.10.(76) | 13.15. (93)
University: 0.1. (1) | 0.1. (1) |0.1. (1) |0.1. (1)
Goals: Balaburov 2, Adams 2, Hackett 2, J.Smith 2, Jolly 2, Cavanagh, Rodezno, Sherifi
Best: S.Jolly, A.Sherifi, E.Balaburov, J.Smith, A.Adams, L.Halfpenny
Seniors:
Coburg Lions: 1.5. (11) | 1.5. (11) | 5.5. (41) | 7.5. (47)
University: 1.0. (6) | 2.1. (13) | 2.1. (13) | 3.4. (22)
Goals: Filbay 2, Collis 2, Said, Wenban, Sampson
Best: G.Sampson, M.McNally, S.Filbay, A.Duguid, L.Collis, D.Abela
