Match Report 2nd Elimination Final
coburgtigers.com.au
By Glenn Robertson
Coburg travelled over to TEAC Oval in Port Melbourne on Saturday to take on Frankston in a do or die match, with the loser eliminated. Both teams fielded strong sides with their full lists to choose from, but the Burgers were slight favourites heading into the match, even though the Dolphins had beaten them earlier in the year.
After a very entertaining first half of football it seemed as though the Burgers would advance into next weeks semi final. The boys were linking up and running the ball through the centre of the ground with ease, it was a treat for the supporters to watch. But things didn’t go their way in the second half, and Frankston ended the match ahead by a solitary goal.
Both sides showed early nerves as the game got underway, but then steadied to provide the onlookers an entertaining first term. It was goal for goal with the Burgers finishing the quarter with a slender five point lead.
¼ Time: Coburg Tigers 4.3 (27) Frankston 3.4 (22)Fort Caruso was instrumental in Coburg’s forward line, putting in his best display for the season in a near best on ground display. Fort set up numerous Burger scoring opportunities, picking up the ball and roving packs with ease. The small forward also finished with four creative goals of his own.
The Burgers were outstanding in the second term booting six majors, while keeping the Dolphins to only three. The boys used the ball all over the ground very smartly and took a very healthy twenty-five point lead into the main break.
½ Time: Coburg Tigers 10.6 (66) Frankston 6.5 (41) Cleve Hughes joined teammate Fort Caruso in kicking four goals for the Burgers in the second half, while Tiger star Mark Coughlan again impressed with twenty-four touches and two majors. Frankston were slowly pegging back the lead when things got extremely heated and a massive brawl broke out. The fight lasted several minutes and involved almost every player on the ground. Unfortunately for the Tigers, Frankston settled first after the big scuffle and turned a twenty-five point half time deficit into a five point lead going into the last change.
3/4 Time: Coburg Tigers 12.8 (80) Frankston 12.13 (85) Ruckman Tristan Cartledge was very influential in the middle of the ground for the Burgers and won a year high twenty-two ‘effective hitouts’ to his on-ball brigade. Cam Howat was also one of the Burgers best playing off a wing and through the middle of the ground. Nick Liddle and Ben Clifton also put in fantastic efforts that almost got the Burgers over the line. Sadly Frankston kept the lead in the last term, and finished the match in front by six points.
In the end it wasn’t the Burgers who played badly, it was the Dolphins who were just the better side in the second half. All twenty-two Coburg players can hold their heads high, but unfortunately the boys will be on the sidelines now cheering on the Reserves to get across the line this week and then again in the Grand Final.
Coburg Tigers 4.3 10.6 12.8 14.11 (95)
Frankston Dolphins 3.4 6.5 12.13 14.17 (101)
Goal Kickers: F. Caruso 4, C. Hughes 4, M. Coughlan 2, C. Collard 2, T. Cartledge, D. Connors
Best Players: F. Caruso, C. Howat, T. Cartledge, B. Clifton, N. Liddle, D. Polo
RESERVESAfter going through the home and away season without dropping a game, the Burger reserves found the tough going on Saturday, as a fired up Williamstown side overcame a half time deficit to record a ten goal win.
Coburg were up by three goals at halftime, although Williamstown had more scoring shots on the board. In the second half Williamstown were just too good.
Nick Lynch was the Burgers only multiple goal kicker with three majors, while Shaun Huy, Steve Foster and Matt Davis were Coburg’s best on the day.
The Burger boys will look to regroup during the week and come out firing against Box Hill on Sunday in the Preliminary final at TEAC Oval. The game starts at 10.20am.
Coburg Tigers 2.2 7.6 8.7 9.10 (64)
Williamstown 2.7 3.13 10.17 18.22 (130)
Goal Kickers: N. Lynch 3, M. Farrelly, J. De Sousa, C. Corr, T. Dulic, G. Carrick, J. Jones
Best Players: S. Huy, S. Foster, M. Davis, N. Lynch, M. Farrelly, D. Gourdis
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