By Mathew Asciak
Coburg have booked their place in the 2023 VAFA Premier Reserves Final after an inspiring 34-point win.
Three minutes into the match, play was stopped due to an unfortunate injury suffered by a Coburg midfielder, which resulted in a 30-minute stoppage.
Once play resumed, the Lions were on top and were controlling the territory battle in blustery conditions at Trevor Barker Oval. The Magpies were able to surge the ball forward at times, but it was well dealt with by the Coburg defence.
Lions’ midfield was superb around the contest, with the likes of Lilly Primerano, Sarah Jolly and Mia D’Agostino particularly influential in the Lions attacking threat, creating dangerous inside 50 entries for Ruby Taranto and Annalise Vine to attack on the lead.
After a few near misses, Vine would open the scoring and the goal would give the away side an 11-point quarter time lead.
The Magpies looked to shift the pendulum in the 2nd term and were the aggressor for majority, creating repeat inside 50’s, but were unable to capitalise and create any real scoreboard pressure. Coburg maintained an 8-point lead at the main break, despite being kept scoreless in the quarter.
The game was in the balance in the third term with neither team able to maintain extended periods of dominance in the term, with the only goal of the term coming late, through lively forward Emily Balaburov. Jenna Smith and Soma Griffin did a superb job at playing the sweeper role, anticipating loose balls from clearing kicks from the Magpie defenders.
Skipper Natalie Todaro was outstanding in midfield, leading from the front with her fearless attack in the contest, winning the ball in contested areas and nullifying Magpie midfielders in 50/50 situations.
Chloe Perrett has continued her strong vein of form and it was business as usual when the game was in the balance. The combination of speed and poise with the ball was instrumental in the Lions’ play.
The late goal took extended the Lions’ lead to 10 at the final break, with the quarter finishing with both teams kicking one goal apiece in the third term.
With a spot in the Grand Final up for grabs, the Lions ran away with the game in the final term, kicking four straight goals, while keeping the Magpies scoreless. Bowen Hackett and Mia D’Agostino hit the scoreboard early in the term, while Balaburov kicked her 3rd in the dying seconds, running into an open goal.
Final Score:
Development:
West Brunswick AFC: 0.0. (0) | 0.3. (3) | 1.3. (9) | 1.3. (9)
Coburg Lions 1.5. (11) | 1.5. (11) | 2.7. (19) | 6.7. (43)
Goals: Balaburov 3, Vine, Hackett, D’Agostino
Best: Chloe Perrett, Natalie Todaro, Emily Balaburov, Jenna Smith, Sarah Jolly, Soma Griffin
#WeAreCoburg #LionMode
