Match Preview: Coburg vs Essendon
By Ali Taleb
Where and when:
Piranha Park, Sunday 7thJuly, 12:30pm start. Please join us from 12pm for a pregame Didgeridoo and acknowledgement of country performance.
Last time they met:
Round 10, 2018: Coburg 6.7- 43 defeated by Essendon 20.17- 137
Led by former AFL Bomber Heath Hocking who contributed 3 goals from the midfield and strong performances from James Stewart and Ben McNeice amongst others, the Bombers showed their class which helped them reach the VFL finals in 2018.
For the Lions, McEvoy, Exon and Lever were the more solid contributors with McEvoy and Podhajski each kicking 2 goals.
Form in 2019
Coburg –
It was a typically windy day down at Skybus Stadium on Sunday and whilst only defending a 5 point lead at three quarter time, the Lions did enough into the breeze to hold on and earn a much deserved victory. For Coburg, it was the event that boosted the confidence of the direction the club is moving towards. Led strongly by McEvoy and Exon and with players like Weightman, Lentini, Corigliano and Bunker all in a rich vein of form at the moment, the Lions should not be underestimated at Piranha Park this week.
Essendon –
Sitting up in the clouds just behind ladder leaders Richmond, a past 6 weeks of football that has bought 4 wins and 1 loss, only by 3 points to the team just above them. The bombers might just be in for a season to remember, if it already has not been. Led by Aaron Heppell who is strongly backing up his VFL team of the year season in 2018, the Bombers will be looking for another win on the trot when they face the Lions this Sunday.
A tough fought out victory against Werribee last week by 12 points will give the Bombers confidence in matching Coburgs intensity around the ball and then beating them on the outside.
This week the Lions welcome former Lions Danny Younan and Michael Hartley back to Piranha Park for the first time as opposition players.
Players to watch
Coburg –
Jesse Corigliano
Coming off yet another VFL team of the week selection, Corigliano has been firing on all cylinders this year and thrived in the role of Vice Captain. Will he be the man to take his dangerous former teammate Danny Younan?
Adam Swierzbiolek
A great opportunity for Adam to give Coburg control in the middle of the ground and assert his dominance on the game. The big man has been improving each week and is fast becoming a fan favourite around Piranha Park.
Essendon –
Michael Hartley
Could this former Lion be the surprise of the day at the opposite end of the ground than we’re all used to? Normally a key defender, after a great performance against Werribee last week, Hartley was named in the forward line of the VFL’s team of the week. Will he be the man that come back to haunt the Lions this weekend?
Daniel Younan
6 goals in his last 2 games and 15 overall for the season, Daniel Younan returns to back to where it all started. Leaving the Lions at the end of the 2016 season, the much loved Younan will be eager to put in a good performance and take the 4 points this Sunday and will take some stopping.
Selected Teams
Coburg –
B: 5. R. Exon, 35. L. Whelan, 7. T. Lever
HB: 2. J. Corigliano, 6. H. Nolan, 36. J. Guthrie
C: 17. L. Dickson, 42. M. Lentini, 23. J. McDonald
HF: 27. S. Binion, 10. M. Podhajski, 37. H. Smith
F: 1. J. Murphy, 12. P. McEvoy, 14. S. Stroobants
R: 22. A. Swierzbiolek, 11. L. Bunker, 3. J. Weightman
Int: 24. F. Carroll, 31. W. Donaghey, 9. B. Foster, 34. J. Neaves, 28. K. Noonan, 38. T. Old, 33. B. Reddick, 26. L. Watkins
23P: 29. M. Baker
In: T. Old, J. Neaves, W. Donaghey, K. Noonan
Essendon –
B: 12. M. Baguley, 30. B. Zerk-Thatcher, 14. J. Ridley
HB: 34. J. Long, 36. M. Hartley, 41. B. McNiece
C: 33. B. Ham, 59. A. Heppell, 19. K. Mutch
HF: 75. K. Aylett, 32. N. Gown, 39. T. Mynott
F: 77. H. Hocking, 16. J. Begley, 24. J. Houlahan
R: 74. R. Bowman, 23. D. Myers, 57. W. Snelling
Int: 61. W. Berry, 66. L. Goetz, 76. B. Laguda, 56. D. Landt, 62. N. Lazzaro, 79. J. McQueen, 50. J. Tynan, 55. D. Younan
23P: 63. B. Huggard
In: J. Tynan, J. Begley, J. McQueen, L. Goetz, N. Lazzaro, B. Laguda, D. Landt
Earlier in the year we released our 2019 NAIDOC week guernsey to celebrate and recognise reconciliation with our nation’s Indigenous past. Link here: https://coburgfc.com.au/coburg-announces-naidoc-guernsey-for-2019/
This year’s theme of the week is – Voice. Treaty. Truth.
We are proud to wear our NAIDOC inspired guernsey this week as we take on the Bombers at Piranha Park. We encourage and look forward to seeing ALL Coburg fans at the game this Sunday. First bounce at 12:30
#WeAreCoburg
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.
