By Connor Burns
Coburg took home bragging rights for the second time this season in the Battle of Bell Street. Here is a player summary of how the Lions players performed in the thrilling victory.
Donovan Toohey (28 disposals, five inside-50’s, seven rebound-50’s, one goal)
The rebounding half-back had another very strong performance on Sunday. He provided great drive and offensive flair with his five inside-50’s. The 24-year-old also worked back equally as hard and repeatedly rebounded the footy out of defensive 50. He also kicked a booming goal from beyond the arc to help spark the Lions comeback.
Joel Trudgeon (26 disposals, seven tackles, 10 clearances, one goal)
Had another brilliant game culminating in him being awarded the best on ground medal. In previous weeks he has found plenty of the footy but has struggled to get his clearance game going, but he was back to his best in this department with 10 clearances. After crossing from Box Hill in the off-season, ‘Trudge’ is in career best form and deserves to attract attention of AFL clubs.
Lachlan Walker (23 disposals, seven marks, three tackles, three inside-50’s)
A veteran of the side at only 26 years of age, Walker has been as solid as they come this season. He once again had a great game, getting plenty of the footy and taking intercept marks to repel the Bullants forward forays. He is a calm head and leads the backline well with quite a young group down there. The ultimate professional, his season should be recognised come the Lions best and fairest night.
Cooper Keogh (22 disposals, six tackles, 41 hit outs, nine clearances)
Keogh produced another dominant performance on the weekend, willing the Lions over the line. He gave first use to his mids with plenty of hit-outs, while getting busy around the ground. He was also able to gain important territory with his clearances, especially in a frantic and high stakes last quarter. Could attract some AFL interest this off-season after a wonderful year since coming across from North Melbourne’s VFL side.
Braedyn Gillard (20 disposals, five marks, three tackles, three inside-50’s)
Gillard had another good game, continuing a strong season. The 23-year-old found a good amount of the footy and used it well. He provided some poise and experience in a game that was played at a manic pace. He provided really good pressure around the contest and was instrumental to Coburg’s thrilling win. Can fly under the radar at times, but Gillard is so valuable for this club.
Flynn Gentile (19 disposals, six tackles, eight inside-50’s, 10 clearances)
While Gentile didn’t get as much of the ball as we’ve come to expect, he was part of the midfield brigade that eventually wore down the Bullants. He provided great drive for the side and streamed out of centre bounce on several occasions. Had a whopping 10 clearances and gave Coburg some good chances of scoring. Copped a big hit to the ribs that left him sore but battled on to have a significant impact once again.
Ryan Sturgess (16 disposals, eight marks, four inside-50’s, three rebound-50’s)
‘Sturg’ played a solid game again and started strongly. At times he faded in and out of the contest but was an important player after being swung forward late in the game. Had eight marks and worked hard both ways to drive the ball inside 50 but also prevent potential goals for the Bullants. The 23-year-old has had a strong season in 2024.
Josh D’Intinosante (16 disposals, six marks, four clearances, two goals)
‘JD’ is a real barometer for the side, proving pivotal again on Sunday. He played mainly forward but had a strong impact in the stoppages around the ground. His four clearances were the fourth most for the Lions. He has kicked some important goals this year but none more so than the match-winning set shot with only a few minutes left. He has had a good year and is one of Coburg’s most exciting players.
Deacon Kalpakis (15 disposals, six marks, one inside-50, one rebound-50)
Was relatively solid in defence and took some important grabs when the Bullants went on a run in the second term. At just 21 years of age, Kalpakis is only just scratching the surface and could become a dominant intercepting defender. The beauty of Kalpakis is that he shuts down his opponent, while also adding attacking and offensive flair that is important in producing scoring opportunities for Coburg.
Jesse Corigliano (14 disposals, seven marks, two inside-50’s, two goals)
The skipper has provided a much-needed boost for the Lions in recent weeks. Making the shift to a forward after several years as a reliable half-back, Corigliano was vital again on the weekend. He kicked two very important first half goals, and some of his contests and smarts under pressure were exceptional. His ball use was good, and he played a key part in leading the Burgers to victory.
Mitch Podhajski (12 disposals, four marks, one inside-50, five goals)
Podhajski was the dominant forward on the ground and is in a good vein of form after an injury interrupted year. His first quarter on Sunday was one of the best you’ll ever see. Four goals from five shots, and seven disposals in a mesmerising display. They kept him quieter for the rest of the game, but that didn’t stop him bobbing up to kick a crucial goal early in the last term. He is playing great footy and will look to attack the pre-season with vigour and set himself up for a massive 2025 season.
Rhys Galvin (12 disposals, six marks, one inside-50, four rebound-50’s)
After several injury troubles in the second half of the season, Galvin returned on Sunday. Built with a massive frame and booming left boot, he worked his way into the contest well. Was relatively quiet but had some massive moments when the game was truly on the line. He took several big marks and put his fist through a few for some imposing spoils late in the contest. Will be better for the run but showed plenty on return.
Liam Serong (11 disposals, five marks, one inside-50, one rebound-50)
Blessed with raw athleticism and potential, the 20-year-old continues to improve each week. I thought he looked solid down back and flew well in the air to engage the Bullants key forwards. At times he was opposed with key forward John Jorgensen and was able to keep him quiet. Serong took a few nice marks and did some good things. It will be exciting to see what the youngster can produce next year.
Ben Crick (11 disposals, two marks, two tackles, one clearance)
I really like the way Crick plays his footy. The youngster provides great pressure and has a lot of courage. He regularly took big hits on the weekend but kept getting up. He has great speed and is still working on the offensive side of his game, but his defence and team first mentality are second to none. Crick is a player that you would love to play with. He has got some exposure at VFL level this season and will only continue to improve as he gains more confidence and experience.
Henry Brown (11 disposals, four marks, two inside-50’s, one rebound-50)
Brown is continuing to develop and work on his offensive side of the game as well but played his role on Sunday. For a half-forward, he pushes high up the ground and covers plenty of ground. His two inside-50’s and a rebound 50 shows his ability to push hard forward and back. He also took some good marks and was able to find targets inside 50 multiple times. He has got better with every game he’s played and will continue to do so.
Max Thompson (10 disposals, three marks, two tackles, one goal)
Thompson didn’t quite have the same impact he normally does on the weekend, but he came up with some big plays late in the game. I thought Thompson wasn’t quite as clean as he normally is and squandered a few chances. However, his brilliant goal from outside 50 after pouncing on a turnover was vital to the result. He has consistently been solid this season and will look to round out the season well this coming weekend.
Luke Kennedy (nine disposals, three marks, two tackles, two rebound 50’s)
The brother of Max made his debut as the 23rd man on Sunday. He is only 17 years of age and is currently playing for the Sandringham Dragons on his quest towards getting drafted. He showed good composure and covers the ground well. While not having too much of the ball, he still looked good in a high-pressure game. He will be better for the run and look to get another opportunity this weekend.
George Belcher (nine disposals, two marks, one inside-50, one rebound-50)
The 22-year-old has had to work very hard for his opportunities this season, playing just the three games. He has made a solid account of himself though, playing solidly as a lockdown defender. He is another player with great potential and a solid leap. Reading the ball and taking down strong grabs is the next step for Belcher, who is still quite young and inexperienced at VFL level.
Charlie Beasley (nine disposals, two marks, one tackle, one rebound-50)
Beasley had produced a very good month leading into the game against the Bullants but didn’t have quite the same impact on the weekend. Despite only taking the two marks, I still thought the 24-year-old played some good footy and continually ran back with the flight. He is very courageous and wore some big hits on the weekend. He has become an integral part of the back six this year in what has been his most productive VFL season to date.
Kyle Weightman (eight disposals, two marks, two tackles, five behinds)
‘Flea’ looked very dangerous throughout the game but didn’t have his kicking boots on. He kicked 0.5 and was clearly frustrated at stages on the day, some were very difficult kicks, but he will be disappointed that he didn’t take his chances. Still looked very dangerous and provided great forward pressure. It was almost a massive game for Weightman and if he can finish better, he will have a big impact against his old side Essendon this Sunday.
Dylan Laurie (eight disposals, two marks, two inside-50’s, two tackles)
Laurie wasn’t quite as prolific on the weekend as what he had been on club debut against the Gold Coast. However, he had some good moments late in the contest and stood up in a few big contests. He was copping it from his old teammates throughout the day, but that didn’t stop Laurie from hunting the footy. He did a bit of everything and is a smooth mover with good skills that has potential to be a good VFL player in the future.
Josh May (seven disposals, one mark, two inside-50’s, two behinds)
After playing across half-back throughout the season, May has been thrown forward in recent weeks to add some height down there. He didn’t have a great impact and missed a couple of golden opportunities to kick goals. It is a move that might continue this week, with May’s versatility and athleticism some of his key traits that could produce good results as a forward. He has been consistent this year as a key defender, after coming across from Port Melbourne.
Caleb Ernst (five disposals, four tackles, five hit outs, one goal)
Despite having only five possessions, I thought Ernst’s impact on the game was much more than that. He was very quick to pressure and tackle the opposition when the ball hit the ground and was able to force turnovers off the back of this. He also kicked an important goal and was serviceable in the ruck, helping give Cooper Keogh some needed rest. He is still developing but is a wonderful athlete with a high ceiling of potential.
