Match Preview: Coburg Lions V.S Williamstown
By Ali Taleb
Where and when:
Downer Oval, Saturday 10thAugust, 2:00pm
Last time they met:
Round 7 2019, Coburg 10.6- 68 Defeated by Williamstown 14.16- 100
A fast starting Williamstown outfit had the game on their terms from the very first bounce, kicking 6 goals to none in the opening quarter and leaving the Lions to play catch-up football for the rest of the day. Attempting to lead a Coburg comeback, Luke Bunker had tried to get the ball moving forward in the midfield, finishing with 29 disposals although it was not enough as Williamstown kept their 6-goal lead throughout the game. The Seagulls had been too good on the day highlighted by a 5-goal performance from Sam Dunell.
Form in 2019
Coburg –
With two games left in season 2019 the boys down at Coburg will be eager to press their cases for the upcoming season in 2020.
The discovery of young talent and development of first year players over the current season has left coaches around the club excited for what may be come in the not too distant future.
It has been a long but rewarding season and the players will look to finish the last two weeks of the season with another win to their names. Battling slightly over the last fortnight against strong opposition in Werribee and Port Melbourne, Coburg have failed to implement their style of play leading to losses in consecutive weeks. Although if the past season is any indicator to go by, the Lions won’t stay down for long. With Williamstown waiting for them this Saturday afternoon, Coburg will aim to hit their straps again and take away another win leading into the final game of the season.
Williamstown –
Sitting nicely inside the top four and setting up for what might just be a finals series to remember, Williamstown look set to leave their mark on the 2019 VFL season. Coming into round 19 winning their last 3 consecutive games, including a giant win over flag fancy Essendon FC, the Seagulls will be full of confidence as they take on the Lions heading into the late stages of the year.
Led by Captain Adam Marcon, Williamstown are building momentum and will be a tough proposition not only for the Lions this week but also for their opposition come week one of the finals series.
Players to watch
Coburg –
Jack Sandric
A strong bodied midfielder and a fierce competitor, Jack Sandric had come in for his 3rdgame of the season against Werribee last week and not only played a crucial lock down role on former Fremantle star Michael Barlow, but also was named best afield in his sides loss. Training hard throughout the week to gain consecutive matches at VFL level, Sandric will look to continue his form heading into round 19 and beyond.
Ryan Exon
Over a difficult couple of weeks for the club with poor losses against Werribee and Port Melbourne, Co-Captain Ryan Exon has stood tall in the defensive line being named best afield on both occasions. A fierce warrior and competitor, Ryan’s leadership will again be crucial if his side wish to turn their fortunes around this Saturday against Williamstown.
Williamstown –
Mitchell Hibberd
Having had AFL level experience with the Kangaroos, it is not surprising that in season 2019 Hibberd has been one of Williamstown more influential players. Having kicked 9 goals in 15 games for the season and also being named best afield against flag fancy Essendon FC, Hibberd will be crucial to Williamstown chances this week and into the finals series.
Jack Charleston
Stepping in to lead the team in the absence of Adam Marcon this Saturday against Coburg, Vice-Captain Jack Charleston will no doubt be looking to continue his fine form in season 2019. Understanding the importance of a win to finish inside the top 4, Charleston will look to set the tone early as his side battles the Lions.
Selected Teams
Coburg –
B: #2 J.Corigliano #35 L.Whelan #7 T.Lever
HB: #5 R.Exon #6 H.Nolan #36 J.Guthrie
C: #17 L.Dickson #45 J.Sandric #23 J.McDonald
HF: #4 S.Lowson. #12 P.McEvoy #3 J.Weightman
F: #28.K.Noonan #10 M.Podhajski #14 S.Stroobants
R: #22 A.Swierzbiolek #42 M.Lentini #11 L.Bunker
23rd man: #46 T. Browning
INT from: #9 Foster, #29 Baker, #16 Baker, #13 Gillard, #24 Carroll,#32 Cannolo, #20 Fry, #1 Murphy
Williamstown –
B: 10 L. Masters 21 J, Tippett 4 B. Myers
HB: 17 J. Charleston 11 J. Dorgan 18 J. Greiser
C: 25 L. Hunt 6 S. Martyn 8 N. Mellington
HF: 37 N Ebinger 34 J. Ottavi 20 M. Norton
FF 3 S. Dunell 16 N. Rodda 24 W. Wheeler
R: 49 N. Meese 7 M. Hibberd 1 J. Pongracic
INT: 50 Fothergill, 2 Kennedy, 23 McLarty, 32 Sing, 36 Henderson, 30 Tardio, 15 Tate, 26 Thorpe
23P: 51 M.Philpot
Although a fortnight of slight disappointment with consecutive losses, the fans down at Coburg know all too well that their boys do not stay down for too long. The Lions will look to finish the 2019 season off strongly and will no doubt be full of focus come this Saturday against a high flying Williamstown outfit.
#WeAreCoburg
Venue: Downer Oval
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.
