Match Report Vs. Bendigo Bombers
Written by Glenn Robertson
coburgtigers.com.au
For the final home and away game of 2008 the Burgers travelled to Windy Hill to take on the struggling Bendigo Bombers. Coburg were hot favourites to come away with a win, as the boys had been in hot form in the previous month, while Bendigo had failed to get a win on the board.
After a relatively hard fought out first term, the Burgers took control of the game in the second quarter to set up a massive 102 point victory.
Unfortunately the huge win didn’t elevate the side any further up the ladder with other match results not helping in any way.
The Burgers now play Frankston in an Elimination Final on Saturday 6th September at TEAC Oval. The game starts at 1.10pm with the winner to elevate to next weeks Semi-Final and the loser knocked out for season 2008.
Coburg got off to a solid start in the first term kicking four goals to Bendigo’s one. However coach Jade Rawlings may have expected a larger lead than just the twenty one points at the first change, as his men had dominated the play.
¼ Time: Coburg Tigers 4.3 (27) Bendigo Bombers 1.0 (6)The Coburg backmen were brutal in the first half, only allowing the Bombers to score three times, and two of the scores were behinds. Danny Myer and Christian McErlain were ruthless and gave their opponents nothing, while winning a lot of possessions themselves. The backs were well supported by the Burger midfielders, in particular Paul Shelton and Dean Polo, who pushed back hard to help move the ball out of defence.
½ Time: Coburg Tigers 8.9 (57) Bendigo Bombers 1.2 (Coburg continued on their merry way in the third term, pushing the margin beyond the ten goal mark. Fort Caruso was fantastic of the half forward line kicking three goals and setting up many others.
After missing most of the season after his second knee reconstruction Mark Coughlan has found some excellent form at the right stage of the season. Coughlan played through the halfback line and midfield collecting possessions at will. It’s a great sign for all football supporters to see the champion back to his best.
Coburg entered the last term knowing the game was won, but they needed to keep focus on a strong last quarter to take into next weeks first final
¾ Time: Coburg Tigers 13.14 (92) Bendigo Bombers 4.6 (30)The Burgers piled on another seven goals in the final term, while Bendigo could only manage another one. It was a great all round display from the Burger team who won in every department. Cleve Hughes and Clayton Collard both stared up forward for the Tigers kicking four majors each. Al Collins and Fort Caruso added another six between them. It was the best the Coburg forward line had functioned all year with goals shared all over the place.
As stated earlier Coburg face Frankston at 1.10pm on Saturday 6th September at TEAC Oval in an Elimination Final.
Coburg Tigers 4.3 8.9 13.14 20.19 (139)
Bendigo Bombers 1.0 1.2 4.6 5.7 (37)
Goal Kickers: C. Hughes 4, C. Collard 4, F. Caruso 3, A. Collins 3, D. Gourdis 2, M. Coughlan, D. Polo, A. Graham, A. Horne
Best Players: M. Coughlan, D. Meyer, F. Caruso, A. Rance, C. McErlain, P. Shelton
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