Coburg site's Match Report Vs. North Ballarat Round 3 2008
coburgtigers.com.au
By Glenn Robertson.
Coburg returned to ABD Stadium on Saturday this week to take on North Ballarat. The Burgers team were strengthened by Richmond star Joel Bowden, however key forward Jack Riewoldt was elevated into the Richmond side.
A huge crowd attended in what is sure to be one of the most exciting games for the season. It was also great to see so many sponsors at the ground supporting the Burger side.
For the third week in a row the Burgers got off to an excellent start in the opening quarter booting six goals to take a handy two goal lead at the first break.
Nat Caruso found plenty of the ball as did Greg Tivendale and both players used their possession extremely well. Daniel Connors moved forward kicking three goals for the match and having a hand in a couple of others. Coburg’s brand of football the play, particularly their first halves, has been a joy to watch in season 2008.
¼ Time: Coburg 6.3 (39) North Ballarat 4.4 (28)
For the second consecutive week Cleve Hughes dominated up forward. He led extremely well and marked everything that came his way, finishing with four majors for the Burgers. However like fellow Burger forwards, Jack Riewoldt and Mitch Morton, Hughes is likely to be looked upon for Richmond next week.
The amount of possession was fairly even in the second quarter for both sides, but Coburg kicked more accurately finishing the quarter with four goals to Ballarats two. Fort Caruso continued on his consistent goal kicking form with two majors for the match, as did Andrew Collins.
½ Time: Coburg 10.5 (65) North Ballarat 6.8 (44)
The Burgers wasted opportunities in the third term kicking a very inaccurate; one goal six behinds for the quarter. The Tiger fans were getting a little rowdy during the quarter, and perhaps expected a little more than only a three goal lead at the last break. Joel Bowden found a lot of the ball across half back collecting 30 possessions, while Greg Tivendale again found form for Coburg picking up 22 touches in the midfield. The Coburg backmen had worked tightly together all day conceding only eight goals in three quarters and getting numbers to the drop of the ball.
¾ Time: Coburg 11.11 (77) North Ballarat 8.12 (60)
The final term was a nail bitter for all involved at ABD Stadium. Both sides disposal efficiency had dropped and there were a lot of tired players out there, never the less it was great to watch.
In what was a tipsy-turvy quarter the Burgers were actually ahead by five points when the final siren sounded. But to all Burger supporters demise the game hadn’t finished and Roosters player Orren Stephenson had the ball 50 metres out and kicked accurately to give the Roosters a one point victory.
For the second week in a row the Burgers seemed to have been in a winning position only to see the opposition claim an unlikely win.
Cleve Hughes was best a-field for the Burgers controlling the forward line finishing with four goals. Jarrod Oaklay-Nicholls excited the crowd with his speed on the wing while Nick Carnell won a lot of contested footy as always.
Coburg Tigers 6.3 10.5 11.11 13.13 (91)
North Ballarat 4.4 6.8 8.12 13.14 (92)
Goal Kickers: C. Hughes 4, D. Connors 3, F. Caruso , A. Collins 2, D. Polo, J. Gazzo 1
Best Players: C. Hughes, N. Caruso, J. Bowden, G. Tivendale, N. Carnell, J. Oakley-Nicholls
Reserves
The Burger reserves continued on their early season form thumping North Ballarat by 76 points. After a very errant first quarter in which the Burgers squandered a huge amount of goaling opportunities kicking eleven behinds, the forwards found their radar in the last term kicking ten goals and only a single behind.
Tas Clingan was best on ground finding plenty of the ball, but like most weeks with this bunch of blokes it was another superb team performance all over the ground.
Clayton Collard kicked 4 goals in only his second game for the Burgers, with Nick Lynch and Paul Currie adding another seven between them.
2007 number two draft pick Trent Cotchin made his debut for the Burgers and added a goal.
Coburg Tigers 2.11 8.12 12.16 22.17 (149)
North Ballarat 3.2 8.3 9.3 11.7 (73)
Goal Kickers: N. Lynch , C. Collard 4, P. Currie 3, T. Dulic , T. Casserly 2 S. Huy, B. Hopkins, D. Putt, N. Cattapan, T. Simpson, T. Cotchin, G. Carrick 1
Best Players: T. Clingan, T. Casserly, S. Foster, S. Huy, N. Lynch, G. Carrick
coburgtigers.com.au
