Match Preview: Coburg FC vs Werribee FC
By Ali Taleb
Where and when:
Piranha Park, Sunday 4thAugust, 12:30pm
Last time they met:
Round 2 2019, Coburg 10.11 – 71 Defeated by Werribee 15.13 – 103
A Saturday night shootout looked set to be brewing after both Coburg and Werribee kicked 3+ goals each in the first term.
Matching Werribee’s intensity still early into the second quarter, Coburg had made a good start to the game. Unfortunately, by mid-way through the second term Werribee managed to gain some ascendency and kick away from the Lions, giving themselves a 33 point lead going into half time.
Led by VFL sharp shooter Jake Riccardi, who was named best on ground, Werribee managed to extend their lead in the 3rdquarter. A list of multiple double digit goal kickers was the ultimate difference in the end, with Werribee having to strong of a forward force for the Lions.
Werribee ran out 32 point winners.
Form in 2019
Coburg
With the end of the season fast approaching, a quick look back on what has passed so far in 2019 will leave confidence among many people around the club heading into next year.
In the vast majority of games this year Coburg has been more than just competitive, with tight losses to Collingwood (Round 1) and most recently the Kangaroos a fortnight ago, showing their win loss record doesn’t tell the full story. Nevertheless, the Lions have not had the rub of the green.
Coming off a disappointing performance against Port Melbourne last week, the boys will be eager to impress back home when they take the field against Werribee.
With Ryan Exon and Steven Stroobants both being named in the best against Port Melbourne last week, Coburg’s leaders are still standing tall and will be in high spirits for the coming game.
Werribee
After finishing in the bottom 5 teams in season 2018, Werribee have greatly improved their record this season, and are now placed 6thon the ladder and will be expected to make a finals series appearance.
Coming into round 18, Werribee’s last 3 weeks have seen gradual improvement impressing in wins over Frankston and Port Melbourne, while being hugely competitive against flag favourites Richmond, going down by only 17-points.
With a finals spot up for grabs, Werribee, led by inform midfielders Michael Barlow, Tom Gribble and Joe Maishman will look to take all the points this Sunday and march on into the 2019 final series.
Players to watch
Coburg
Steven Stroobants
Experienced small forward Steven Stroobants has been an image of consistency so far in season 2019. With 25 goals up until this point and sitting in the league’s top 5 goal scorers, Stroobants will look to continue his recent form and could be the difference this week against Werribee.
Luke Bunker
A tough inside midfielder who tends to take no prisoners on the football field. Luke Bunker has had a season so far that will excite all those who watch him. Having 10 tackles in Coburgs loss to port last week, Luke does not need much of the ball to have an influence. Look out for his attack on the ball come Sunday afternoon.
Werribee
Joe Maishman
Having a career best season inside the Werribee midfield, Joe Maishman has been arguably the club’s most influential player in 2019. Coming off a 27 disposal, 8 tackle game last week against Frankston, Joe will be crucial to his side’s chances of beating the Lions on the weekend.
Jake Riccardi
Coming off a 4 goal performance last week and having been the difference in multiple games this season for Werribee, Jake Riccardi, who sits equal second in the leagues goal kicking will look to continue his form in the forward line and help his side overcome the Lions.
Selected Teams
Coburg
B: 36. J. Guthrie, 35. L. Whelan, 7. T. Lever
HB: 2. J. Corigliano, 6. H. Nolan, 5. R. Exon
C: 17. L. Dickson, 11. L. Bunker, 23. J. McDonald
HF: 45. J. Sandric, 0. P. McEvoy, 14. S. Stroobants
F: 4. S. Lowson, 29. M. Baker, 10. M. Podhajski
R: 22. A. Swierzbiolek, 3. J. Weightman, 42. M. Lentini
Int: 24. F. Carroll, 15. L. Cavallaro, 9. B. Foster, 20. X. Fry, 13. B. Gillard, 21. T. Meagher, 1. J. Murphy, 28. K. Noonan
23P: 46. T. Browning
Werribee
B: 21. L. Pinnuck, 26. D. Nielson, 30. M. Spencer
HB: 18. R. Hebron, 5. N. Coughlan, 0. M. Sodomaco
C: 9. J. Clayton, 6. M. Barlow, 15. K. Declase
HF: 8. J. Henderson, 32. J. Riccardi, 10. J. Maishman
F: 22. B. Malual, 14. T. House, 2. M. Munro
R: 31. A. Clarke, 29. D. Brew, 4. T. Gribble
Int: 43. D. Bennett, 37. J. Bennett, 40. T. Boyd, 33. A. Domic, 13. K. Gray, 46. R. Kemp, 23. A. Marklew, 7. D. McFarlane
23P: 48. T. Watts
After a season that has been filled with both the highs and lows of football, the Coburg Football Club come into round 18 playing at Piranha Park for the 2ndlast time of the season.
In what hopes to be a game played with ferocious intensity, we encourage ALL Coburg family and friends to come down to help cheer on our boys as they take on Werribee this Sunday, and stick around to support the club by buying a ticket in the 2019 Reverse Raffle. You can purchase tickets for the event here
#WeAreCoburg
Venue: Piranha Park
Written by Ali Taleb, who is in his first year of his Bachelor of Business (Sports Management/Communications) degree at Latrobe University. The Coburg Football Club is in a position to offer opportunities as the one Ali has taken. They are committed to educating our next generation of football leaders.
