Match Report: Northern Bullants vs Coburg Tigers22nd of August
Ashley Stewart The Northern Bullants have secured their position in the top eight in a 36 point walk in the park defeat over the Coburg Tigers at ABD Group Stadium in Round 18.
A sunny Saturday afternoon saw Coburg and Bullants supporters flock to the ground for what looked to be an exciting contest of footy between two fairly evenly positioned teams on the ladder.
Coburg were quick off the mark to start the quarter finding good space and sending the ball promptly into their forward line; but fumbling hands and wasted opportunities would see a fiery Bullants side rip the ball back down their end straight into the possession of star player Anderson who racked up 32 disposals and slotted through his first goal for the day.
Polak was the first to step up from the Coburg combat putting his team on the board midway through the quarter, but Northern Bullants were quick to seize back the reins as Yarran and Thomas were left free to do damage knocking back another two for the Bullants to bring their lead out to 11 points at the first term break. (Northern Bullants 3.3.21 to Coburg 1.3.9)
A slow start for both sides meant very little action for the scoreboard attendants opening the second quarter. Dennis displayed talent early for the Tigers as did Grimes who was significant to Coburg’s success in the backline all afternoon putting them each in Coburg’s best for the match.
As the Northern Bullants finally began to find their feet midway through the second term, the game took on a new style of play as they smothered anything and everything that the Tigers attempted. McCorkell was brilliant in the centre with 34 disposals, assisting fellow players Morgan, Lawless and Casboult to another 5 goals for the quarter to Coburg’s miserable 1. As the half time siren shed some relief for a tiring Coburg side it was the Bullants by comfortable 48 points (Northern Bullants 8.15.63 to Coburg 2.3.15).
The half time break provided the Tigers with the re-group they needed as a dangerous looking Power came out firing with two goals in a row, racking up 32 possessions making him a key player in Coburg’s attack. However the Bullants were not going to back down to the challenge.
The Bullants continued to outnumber the Tigers side around the ball which allowed them to find two more goals again through Anderson and Fisher who took strong marks all afternoon. Rayson continued to work hard across the half back for Coburg with 31 touches, which was evident in the Bullants increasing number of behinds; whilst Dennis and Carnell fought back some dignity through two more goals which would bring the margin back to 36 points as the third term quarter wrapped up. (Northern Bullants 11.18.84 to Coburg 7.6.48)
To the delight of the enthusiastic Coburg supporters, the Tigers came out hungry for the ball early in the final term. Lucin and Carnell were quick to crank up some momentum for their side, bringing the margin back to only 4 goals and spurring on their side as they clawed their way back into the game. Too little too late, as stand out player Thornton (30 disposals) stepped up for the Bullants, repeatedly sending the ball into the forward line for the likes of Fisher and Casboult to continue to hammer through goals at tight angles shedding no light for their struggling opposition.
Browne showed promise all afternoon, finally slotting through a much needed goal for Coburg before the heaven’s opened their doors and a torrential downpour washed over the ground. As the conditions deteriorated so too did the quality of football, with much of the rest of the quarter spent sorting through the mud mess. Despite the best efforts of Coburg to fight their way back into the match, the Bullants early lead proved far too strong as they finished up with a 36 point defeat over their opponents.
Northern Bullants: 3.3 8.15 11.18 14.20 (104)
Coburg Tigers: 1.3 2.3 7.6 10.8 (68)
GOALS
Northern Bullants: T. Thomas 3, J. Anderson 2, B. Fisher 2, L. Casboult 2, S. O''Hailpin 2, N. Lawless, C. Yarran, A. Arrowsmith
Coburg Tigers: S. Power 2, N. Carnell 2, M. Dennis 2, A. Gilligan, G. Polak, T. Lucin, A. Browne
BEST
Northern Bullants: J. Anderson, J. McCorkell, T. Thomas, J. Cachia, B. Thornton, R. Gale
Coburg Tigers: D. Grimes, D. Fahey, A. Browne, S. Power, J. Kahlefeldt, M. Dennis
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