By Nicholas Galea
The Coburg Lions, featuring 11 club and VFL debutants, weren’t able to turn the tables in their first game for VFL premiership points in 602 days going down to the Frankston Dolphins in a high scoring encounter by 30 points under lights at Skybus Stadium; after playing them in a practice game at the same venue two weeks ago, 14.12 96 to 20.6 126.
It was the Dolphins who hit the ground running in the early minutes of the game putting two goals on the board but the Lions settled shortly after with co-captain Peter McEvoy converting his opportunity 25 metres out to kick the clubs first goal of the 2021 VFL season.
First gamer Joshua D’Intinosante; who was rather impressive, constantly provided pressure and creativity in the forward half to help lock in the ball to bring about a flood of inside 50s.
The Lions continued to bombard the Dolphin’s back six and the pressure of repeat entries eventually took its toll with utility Mitch Podhajski slotting three consecutive goals while midfield trio; Marcus Lentini (12), Jacob Ballard and Luke Bunker (both eight possessions) all found plenty of the ball to help the Lions hold a 16-point lead at the first break.
It was a fast start for the Lions to kick off the second quarter with Sam Lowson putting through his first after breaking a tackle to extend the margin to 22 points but the Dolphins responded once again through Begley who kicked two more of his own.
Goals were once again traded by both sides with another debutant in key forward Aaron Clarke putting through his first VFL goal before the game took a major turn as Frankson’s midfield took control of the centre clearances (2-9) and moved the ball with slickness and dare through the corridor.
Frankston’s intensity around the ball was a complete contrast to the first quarter (26-38 contested possessions), stifling the Lions ball movement from the back half who were forced to play wide. Despite their best efforts the Lions were unable to halt the momentum as the Dolphin’s kicked the last six goals of the quarter to overturn the 22-point deficit into a 21-point lead of their own at half time.
A crumbing goal from Lowson ended the run of eight consecutive goals for Frankston in the third quarter but they still held the ascendency, kicking away once again. The game started to slowly turn once more and there was a case for optimism and renewed hope for Coburg who were more direct with ball movement and inside 50 entries as D’Intinosante kicked his maiden goal before the experienced McEvoy made it two in a row, bringing the margin back to 27 points at three quarter time.
With much to do, early goals would be the key to breathe life back into the game and to spark a remarkable comeback but it was not to be.
The Lions continued to battle manfully to the very end, reducing the margin to 19 points with club debutants in Tom Silvestro, Clarke and D’Intinosante combining for four of Coburg’s five final quarter goals before Frankston held on for victory.
Unfortunately, the defeat was also soured by a shin injury to ruckman Adam Swierzbiolek midway through the third quarter who was taken to hospital for scans.
Speaking post game, senior men’s coach Andrew Sturgess was disappointed with the defeat after such a promising opening quarter and emphasised the second quarter lapse as the main reason for the loss.
‘It was probably similar to the practice match we played two weeks ago, we had a good start and probably had the game on our terms but to Frankston’s credit; we know that they’re a really good team and really hard to play against particularly down at Skybus,’ Sturgess said.
‘It was literally a game of two halves in that first half and in terms of what we do next time I think that we need to look at that as a coaching group and how do we stop the flow of goals coming so heavily.’
‘To their credit they probably just brought that intensity around the contest after quarter time while we probably dropped away in it compared to the first quarter.’
‘It’s obviously disappointing to come down here and lose particularly on the back of a great first quarter but the beauty is we’ll review, learn and hopefully improve and be better next time.’
Despite the defeat, Sturgess highlighted that there were still positive performances from the game and focused on a trio of debutants who we’re admirable and combative throughout the game.
‘The resilience that the boys showed to continue to fight the game out and we were coming in that last quarter in some way shape or form, I think we need to make some adjustments and we probably get the result the next time around,’ he said.
‘Tom Silvestro was fantastic and never stopped trying all night and probably embodied what we asked of the guys and that’s to put their bodies on the line, to bring the heat and celebrate others success,’ he said.
‘I thought Josh D’Intinosante, particularly in the first quarter was electric.’
‘His forward pressure was fantastic and he created opportunities for us to kick some goals and got on the end of some during the game while Ryan Sturgess down back on a pretty dark night for our defence, to have 20 goals kicked against us I thought he was the pick of our backs.’
The Coburg Lions Men’s Team will have a bye in round two but will return to action on Sunday May 2nd against the Brisbane Lions in round three.
We encourage all Coburg Football Club members and supporters to come down to our game and cheer on the Coburg Lions Women’s Team on Saturday April 24th at 2:00pm against the St Kilda Sharks, where they play their inaugural game for premiership points at Jackson Reserve, Coburg North.
Frankston: 2-1 13 10-3 63 14-5 89 20-6 126
Coburg: 4-5 29 6-6 42 9-8 62 14-12 96
Goals: D’Intinosante, Podhajski 3, McEvoy, Clarke, Lowson 2, Silvestro, Lentini
