TIGERS WIN AWAY FROM HOME
Grant Scott
Round 10
Coburg Tigers 6.0 10.2 14.9 18.13 (121)
Frankston Dolphins 7.5 10.7 11.9 14.14 (98)
It was 3 wins in a row for the Coburg Tigers with a hard fought 23 point victory over a dogged Frankston Dolphins at a blustery Frankston Park this week.
The VFL rule constituting that a maximum amount of AFL aligned players can play against the non-AFL aligned Dolphins meant a few changes for the Burgers this week, with some regular Richmond faces dropping back to the reserves. Still, the Burgers proved they had the depth to cover the situation running out comfortable victors by games end.
Kicking with the breeze towards the Bass Straight end of the ground, the early stages of the first quarter proved fruitful, with the Burgers opening up a 21 point lead by the 16 minute mark courtesy of goals from Matthew White, Jeremy Humm, Jay Schulz, David Rodan and Dean “Doggie” Limbach. The rebounding work of Daniel Jackson at CHB, combined with the excellent ground work of White, Humm, Cam Howat and Alistair Neville would initiate a lot of early opportunities for the Burger forward line, “Doggie” Limbach in particular looking dangerous with some blistering leads from the goal square.
However, the gritty Dolphins hit back hard in the second half of the first quarter with 5 unanswered goals in a row, ex-West Coast Eagle and Richmond pre-season rookie try-out Aaron Edwards in an interesting battle with Richmond veteran Darren Gaspar.
The work of Dolphin players Ash Roberts, Marcus Marigliani (another Richmond pre-season rookie try-out) and goal sneak Ricky Morris was causing plenty of problems for the Burger outfit, the Dolphins able to turn the early proceedings on its head and open up a 10 point advantage over the Burgers.
A late goal by “House” Howat at the 31 minute mark of the first quarter steadied the ship for the Burgers, but a quick reply by Morris for his second after some errant disposal off the Burger backline left the Dolphins with an 11 point lead at the first break.
With the Dolphins playing some aggressive footy and moving the ball with confidence into their forward line, it looked like a tough day ahead for the Burgers.
The Dolphins opened up with the first two goals of the second quarter, Morris taking it right up to his opponent, Brent Hartigan after claiming his 3rd for the game, the Dolphins stretching their lead out to 23 points.
The wily Eric Kuret would quickly hit back for the Burgers with a set shot from outside the 50m mark followed up by a snap, getting the Burgers to get back within 11 points at the 6 minute mark.
Not playing their best footy, and having to suffer the loss of Jackson and ruckman Trent Knobel, the Burgers with the aid of some deft groundwork from Kuret and heavy traffic expert Paul Shelton were able to grind out the remainder of the quarter, second goals each coming to “Doggie” Limbach and Schulz, the Burgers trailing by just 5 points at the main break.
Perhaps the half-time rain suited the Burger Boys, but right from the outset the 3rd quarter would see the Burgers revert to the hard nosed and smart style of play that has seen them win six out of their last seven games.
With White and Humm showing their early first quarter form again, Neville continuing to gather up possessions through the mid-field and across half back, Rodan and Vinnie Randello coming into the game, and Shelton a constructive hand ball machine, the Burgers were able to take mid-field ownership of the 3rd quarter play, the ball rarely entering the Dolphin 50m.
Despite some missed opportunities, the consistent ball winning ability of the Burger team would enable Schulz to grab his 3rd of the game, others coming from the boot of Randello, James Rimington and youngster Nat Caruso - the Burgers putting up a 4.7 to 1.2 score line for the quarter and ultimately gathering a handy 18 point advantage at the 3 quarter time break in the slippery conditions.
With their confidence well and truly restored, the Burgers continued to take advantage of their possession of the football by frequently running and kicking into space in the final quarter, Rodan, Neville, Howat, Kuret and White being the prime movers.
Although managing to get within 11 points at one stage – the sneaky Morris kicking his 6th for the game – the Dolphins could not contain the Burger forward line, Schulz kicking another 3 for the quarter to finish with 6 for the game, and “Doggie” Limbach pulling down several marks although unable to convert a couple of chances.
Confirming the Burgers second half confidence was the final score of the game: a goal from the boot of Kuret after cheekily running around the man on the mark from off the 50m line, his six-pointer completing the Burgers’ 23 point victory.
Underlying the depth of ability at Coburg at the moment was the performance of ruckman Robert Young this week. Despite having to assume almost sole duties in the ruck after the withdrawal of captain Travis Ronaldson before the game, and the loss of Trent Knobel in the second quarter, “Youngy” was able to stand up and take control of in the air, comprehensively winning the tap outs and taking numerous strong marks around the ground. Well done “Youngy.” Great effort.
The game ended on somewhat of a sour note with the Dolphins’ Ash Roberts going down in the final seconds with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. Here’s hoping that the well performed Dolphins captain is back on deck as soon as possible.
This weeks win keeps the Burger seniors in 3rd spot on the TRUenergy VFL table, the reserves suffering a disappointing 55 point loss to the second placed Frankston but still keeping themselves inside the five on percentage.
With the following week providing a half season break for the entire competition, the next match up for the Burgers comes against the Werribee Tigers at Chirmside Park on Saturday the 1st of July at 1.10 pm.
With plenty of supporters on hand at Frankston Park this week, lets keep the support and momentum going by getting down to Chirmside as the boys take on the second of three crucial away games in a row.
Until then, “go Burgers” !!
coburgtigers.com.au
