Match Report Vs. Tasmania Round 10 2008
By Glenn Robertson
coburgtigers.com.au
Coburg made the trip all the way down to Tasmania this week to take on the Devils. It was a bit of a danger game for the Burgers as Tasmania had already caused some big upsets this year at home, and were confident of knocking off the Burgers who were aiming for their sixth successive win.
The Burgers got off to a fantastic start dominating the first half to lead by 36 points at half time, but an energetic Tassie side lifted in the second half and ran over the top of Coburg to win by a slender goal.
Coburg started the match well and in a low scoring first quarter the Burgers edged out the Devils kicking three goals to two, to hold a little eight point lead at the first change.
¼ Time: Coburg 3.4 (22) Tasmania 2.3 (15)Cleve Hughes was again the Burgers key target up forward this week and he didn’t let his team mates down as he marked exceptionally well and finished the match with a season personal best of 6 goals. Cleve has now kicked 23 goals for the season and leads the goal kicking for Coburg; Jack Riewoldt is second with 15 goals from only three games. This helps outline how dangerous the Coburg forward line is, with different players chipping in and kicking goals each week, unlike other sides that rely on one key forward.
Tristan Cartledge was great in the ruck, and palmed the ball well to the Burger rovers; in particular to Paul Shelton who had a swag of clearances to his name. Coburg had a fantastic quarter kicking 6-5 to Tasmania’s 2-0. The Burgers lead by a very healthy 36 points at half time and looked to be in control of the game.
½ Time: Coburg 9.9 (63) Tasmania 4.3 (27)Tasmania fought back exceptionally well in the third term as they kicked 5-7 for the quarter and kept the Burgers goalless. The only positive the Tiger players could take into the three quarter time huddle was that they were still in front, and if they played like they did in the first half they would come away with a win.
Shane Edwards played his best game for the season with his explosive pace exciting the few Coburg fans in the crowd, Andrew Horne was also great across half back winning a lot of contested footy.
¾ Time: Coburg 9.12 (66) Tasmania 9.10 (64)Unfortunately for Coburg, Tasmania continued to play a great brand of football, and they ran over the top of the Burgers. In an entertaining last quarter Coburg added another four goals, but Tassie kicked ahead with six, and ended with a 6 point victory. It was the Burgers first loss in two months (when you take into account the bye and state footy week). Nick Liddle and Paul Shelton were fantastic around the packs, while Cleve Hughes was Coburg’s best with a fine display up forward.
Despite the loss Coburg still sit in sixth spot on the ladder with a very healthy percentage of 122.6% and are also one game clear of seventh position.
Next week the Burgers at back at home and take on the Casey Scorpions on Sunday starting at 2.00pm. The Reserves also play at ABD Group Stadium, starting at 11.10am.
Coburg Tigers 3.4 9.9 9.12 13.17 (95)
Tasmania 2.3 4.3 9.10 15.11 (101)
Goal Kickers: C. Hughes 6, D. Connors 2, K. Pettifer, N. Carnell, N. Liddle, A. Collins, R. Jordan
Best Players: C. Hughes, P. Shelton, N. Liddle, S. Edwards, A. Horne, T. Cartledge
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