By Luke Mathews
Despite a strong midfield performance Coburg has gone down to Port Melbourne at ETU stadium by 32 points on Friday night.
Vice-captain Flynn Gentile continued to lead the way in the middle for the Lions on a difficult night collecting 22 disposal, nine tackles and a goal from the midfield.
The former Calder cannon and Airport West product has been one of the most consistent performers for Jamie Cassidy-Mcnamara’s side averaging 23 disposals and provided some much-needed spark for the Lions on a difficult night.
Donovan Toohey was also a solid contributor for the Lions, collecting the most disposals of any Lion on the ground with 25 and five inside fifties.
The 24-year-old has had a promising start to 2024, collecting the best on ground medal against the AFL academy along with being amongst Coburg’s best last week in the loss to Richmond.
Josh D’intinosante continues to be the Lions most damaging threat up forward. The small forward booted another two goals on a difficult night for forwards at ETU stadium.
The South Morang product has taken his game to another level this season, leading the goal kicking for Coburg with 10 goals in his first six games including a bag of four against Frankston and two against Collingwood.
Full forward Will Bella backed up his strong performance against the Tigers last week with another two goals.
The Queenslander and former Gold Coast Suns Academy player has successfully cemented his spot in Jamie Cassidy-Mcnamara’s side with six goals in two weeks.
Sam Grant was dominant in the ruck for the Lions collecting 46 hitouts, the most of any player on the ground, giving his midfielders first use at clearances.
The South Australian was the best ruckman from both teams on the night and put in his most consistent performance of the year without his ruck partner Cooper Keogh, who missed Friday nights clash with the Borough.
The Lions got the jump on Port Melbourne to start the night kicking the first two goals. Will Bella made the most of a costly rushed behind from Port Melbourne to kick the first goal of the night.
Tom Rowland was then held without the ball and given a free kick 35 metres out directly in front of goal. The left footer went back and calmly slotted his first of the night to give Coburg a nine point lead early 14 minutes into the first term.
Port Melbourne proceeded to pile on seven unanswered goals for the next quarter and a half. Coburg’s forward line was starved of opportunities as the Borough’s midfield got on top to help them establish a 33 point lead at the main break.
Things began to turn for the Lions at the beginning of the third term. The Lions kicked five of the next seven goals to help give the side a bit of hope heading into the final term.
It started with Caleb Ernest who got out the back after Flynn Gentile won a crucial centre clearance at the start of the third term. The centre half forward got boot to ball quickly to break the Borough’s run of seven straight goals inside the first nine seconds of the third term.
Flynn Gentile continued his strong clearance work to kick the Lions fourth for the night. The midfielder made the most of a throw in 20 metres out from goal and snapped through his first for the night.
Minutes later Daniel Johnson was caught high 20 metres out from goal. The 24-year- old made no mistake and reduced the margin to 20 points.
Max Kennedy sent Coburg inside 50 after an out on the full free kick and Giacomo Thomas pounced to toe poked through Coburg’s fourth for the quarter. Josh D’intinosante was then tackled to the ground without the ball 20 metres out on a slight angle. The mercurial sharp shooter put it straight through the middle to give the Lions the momentum heading into the final term.
The Borough made the most of the scoring end to begin the final term, kicking the first three goals of the quarter to almost put the result beyond doubt.
The Lions continued to fight it out until the final siren as they have all year. Will Bella took a strong mark running back with the flight of the ball. The full forward converted a difficult set shot to reduce the margin to 27 points halfway through the final quarter.
Josh D’intinosante marked a Sam Grant centre clearance 35 metres out from goal.The crafty small forward got some reward for effort and put through his second for the night.
The Lions couldn’t quite stage a fourth quarter fight back with the Borough kicking the final goal to ensure a hard-fought victory.
The Lions just weren’t good enough when it mattered however, they will be looking to improve next week when they host Geelong at Piranha Park next Saturday.
