BY KELLY MASTERS
The Lions to face Footscray in the Last game of home and away season has been announced, which will include Coburg’s 19thdebutant this year.
Xavier Fry will don the red and blue as our 23rdman this week after pushing hard for selection throughout the season. Fry was recruited from the Eastern Ranges and is capable of providing elite speed throughout the midfield, as well as effective rebounds in defence.
Averaging 21.8 disposals, and 3.9 marks in his ten games for Eastern Ranges in 2018, there is no doubt Fry will embrace the opportunity to play at the next level.
Coming off the bye in round 20 the Lions have had an extra week of preparation for the clash with Footscray who currently sit in 2ndon the ladder.
It will be the last match for the Lions under the control of senior coach Leigh Adams, as well as Steven Stroobants final game before moving into his own coaching position at Rochester in 2020.
Sam Binion will make his return from a neck injury,adding another element to the exciting forward half alongside the likes of Sam Lowson, Pete McEvoy, Mitch Podhajski, Steven Stroobants, and Kane Noonan.
Representing Rupertswood over the bye weekend, Billy Cannolo kicked 11 goals in the win over Rockbank. If Cannolo can get plenty of the ball this weekend, Lion fans will be in for quite the show.
The back six which includes Jesse Corigliano, Tyson Lever, Tye Browning, Ryan Exon, Harry Nolan, and Josh Guthrie will all provide heavy resistance against the powerful Footscray forwards.
After returning to Craigieburn and being named best on ground last weekend, Coburg’s mid-year addition Tye Browning will continue to impress. Having cemented his spot in the team after his debut against North Melbourne in round 16, Browning has become a significant inclusion to the backline.
Adam Swierzbiolek will look to finish off his impressive season in the ruck, having 386 hit outs so far. Lochlan Dickson, Marcus Lentini, Luke Bunker, Jackson McDonald, and Jack Sandric will undoubtedly keep their opponents on their toes in the centre square.
Jack Sandric was awarded the ‘Silver Top Taxi Lion of The Round’ for his midfield tagging efforts in round 18 against Werribee, and the round 19clash with Williamstown. Sandric will be looking to place further restriction on his Footscray opponents, having proved he is capable of doing so against some of the competitions most prolific players.
Jack Murphy, Brayden Gillard, Mark Baker, and Billy Cannolo will start the match on the interchange bench. Fortunately, Mark Baker has been given the green light after being ruled out in the first quarter with concussion in round 19.
Players who will finish the season at their local clubs this weekend includes Lucas Cavallaro, Tom Meagher, Fletcher Carroll, Aiden Tilley, Will Donaghey, Jonty Neaves, Hedley Smith, Tyson Old, Mohammed Saad, and Luke Di Lizio.
Brodie Foster, Jack Baker, Harry Simington, and Ben Reddick will also represent local, although are in contention to receive a late call up for VFL duties.
Unfortunately, Josh Weightmans’s season has come to an end after sustaining a late injury against Williamstown two weeks ago.
Footscray are heading into the match on a high, after seven consecutive wins. In recent weeks Rylee West, Cal Porter, Lukas Webb, and Lin Jong have all been dominate in the midfield and forward line, while Lewis Young and Fletcher Roberts have been crucial to the Dogs Defence. It will be pivitol for the Lions to get the jump on Footscray early and replicate the competitiveness they displayed against Williamstown.
The final team will be announced on Saturday morning before the game kicks off from 12.30pm.
We encourage all Coburg fans to make the trip to VU Whitten Oval to cheer on the Lions in their final clash of the 2019 VFL season.
#WeAreCoburg
