By Luke Matthews
Werribee have flexed their muscles and proved to be too strong for Coburg, Defeating the visitors by 79 points at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
For the second week running, Coburg went into the game massive outsiders with last year’s grand finalists coming off an eight-game unbeaten run and comfortably sitting two games clear on top of the ladder.
Even though there were some positive signs, Saturday’s performances would’ve disappointed coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara, with the team giving up 51 inside fifties and conceding their highest score for the year.
Cooper Keough proved to be the highlight for the Lions on a difficult day. After playing the first five games of the season, the 200-centre metre big man has only featured at VFL level once since then and has been dominating at local level for Strathmore in the EDFL.
The ruckman was the most influential big man across the ground collecting a season high 52 hit outs to go with 21 touches and eight clearances.
Donovan Toohey continues to show plenty of positive signs with the midfielder collecting the most touches of anyone on the ground. The Fitzroy product showed plenty of fight and amassed 30 touches for the first time since round 11.
Vice-captain Flynn Gentile continues to lead from the front, putting in another decent outing despite being well beaten. The 21 year old found the footy 29 times and gave his side first use at stoppages with eight clearances.
Josh D’intinosante continues to be the side’s most damaging threat inside fifty. The small forward booted another two goals to take his season tally to 22 goals from just 13 games.
Just like two weeks ago against Brisbane, Coburg looked on from the first bounce and got the jump on the grand finalists.
Two minutes into the first quarter, Brayden Gillard got low and was taken high by the Werribee defender. The small forward wheeled around onto his right boot and put through the first of the game.
The home side took the lead with the next two goals before Max Kennedy intercepted the ball in the middle of the ground and linked up with several handballs before the number 24 found the ball again and hit up Ben Major at the top of the goal square.
The full forward made no mistake from 25 metres out straight in front and reduced the margin to two points just before time on in the first term.
The tigers did hit back with one of their own just before Coburg received another free kick for a high tackle inside fifty when Will Bella was taken high 30 metres out directly in front of goal. The Queenslander put through the team’s third for the game and reduced the margin to one point on the stroke of quarter time.
Despite an even first quarter, the ladder leaders were able to get their noses in front at quarter time thanks to two late goals to set up a 14 point lead at the first break.
In desperate need of a reply to stay in the game, Lachlan Walker managed to get boot to ball and sent the Lions inside fifty. Josh D’intionsante got to the front of the pack to take a big contested mark, 40 metres out from goal.
The sharpshooter went back and slotted the first of the second quarter to get the margin back to nine points.
Coburg didn’t fire a shot for the rest of the quarter with the side held goalless whilst the the Tigers kicked three goals in quick succession to make it 28 points at the main break.
The one way traffic continued during the third term, with Coburg unable to do any damage in front of goals. The home side put their foot down and piled on six unanswered goals to extend their lead to 68 points heading into the final term.
With their character being tested once again, the Lions did show plenty of fight in the last quarter as they have done all year.
Josh D’intinosante put an end to Werribee’s run of nine consecutive goals when Ingo Dammersmith brought the ball to ground and the small forward snapped truly for his second for the day.
Just minutes later Joel Trudgeon cut off a Werribee kick in the middle of the ground and the side linked up to find Davin Cameron inside fifty. The man in the helmet put through the team’s second for the quarter and his first for the day.
25 minutes into the last quarter, midfielder Joel Trudgeon got some reward for effort after he was held without the footy at a forward fifty stoppage. The former Box Hill Hawk made no mistake from the set shot to put through the sides seventh for the day.
The Tigers finished the last quarter strongly with three more majors to run away with a 13 goal victory.
Coburg will be looking to respond next week when they are back at Piranha park taking on fellow non-affiliated club Port Melbourne on Sunday at 2:05.
