Coburg vs Port Melbourne, Sat June 20 ( Live on ABC TV )

[one-eyed]

Craig McRae's debut one to forget
Howard Leigh | June 20, 2009 04:30pm

COBURG caretaker coach Craig McRae came away from yesterday's debut assignment against Port Melbourne empty-handed.

The Brisbane Lions triple-premiership forward, who took over the Tigers' coaching reins from Jade Rawlings, was forced to settle for a 45-point loss to Port.

"I don't believe in fairytales and it wasn't too good," McRae said.

"We have got to address our first halves if we are going to be a serious contender."

But there were positive signs for Richmond players Joel Bowden, Jordan McMahon, Mark Coughlan and Jake King, whose futures at Punt Rd are in the melting pot.

Richmond ruckman Troy Simmonds (groin) and Kayne Pettifer (knee), who were dumped by Rawlings from the AFL side for last weekend's match against West Coast, were unavailable for selection.

McRae praised Bowden, who turns 31 today, for his 27 disposals and eight marks working through the middle of the ground and drifting forward where he kicked a goal.

McMahon also had 27 touches across half-back. Coughlan, 27, laid 11 tackles and had 20 disposals in the midfield rotating from the interchange bench. King had 18 disposals in the first line of defence.

McRae, 35, said he would be happy to have several players of Bowden's calibre at his disposal.

"He's a professional at this level," he said. "He's played more 260 games and he stands out."

Coburg named Coughlan among its best, but McRae wasn't pleased with the output of his group of midfielders.

"I would have thought Coughlan would have been disappointed with his game despite his tackles and possessions," he said.

McMahon had run and carry, but made several turnovers.

Richmond forward Jay Schulz and former Hawthorn player Tim Clarke each booted three goals.

Port, which has won all its 17 home and finals games at the TEAC Oval since Ayres took over coach at the start of last season, kicked 18.14 (122) to Coburg's 12.5 (77).

McRae was supported in the coaches box by recently retired midfielder Kane Johnson while Rawlings watched from the sideline.

Richmond big man Graham Polak took a big step forward with Coburg reserves yesterday, picking up more than 20 possessions in a rucking role and drifting forward.

Richmond defender Andrew Raines, who has been troubled by a knee injury since early in the season, was best on the ground in the reserves with 39 touches.

McRae said Polak and Raines were in the mix to return to the Coburg senior side for next week's game against Sandringham.

"We thought about playing Polak yesterday in a couple of different roles. He's been playing good footy," he said.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25664394-19742,00.html

[one-eyed]

The Sunday Age says Polak had 38 possessions...

Joel Bowden (27 disposals) was the best of Richmond's players for Coburg in a midfield role and is in line for a recall against St Kilda next Sunday.

Mark Coughlan (23 possessions) and Jake King (17) were good contributors, but Troy Simmonds (groin) and Kayne Pettifer (knee) missed the match.

"I think Joel's such a professional," McRae said. "He stands out.

"I would have liked to have had a few more Joel Bowdens out there today.

"We used him across the wing and forward and defence.

"I think he's clearly a quality player at this level."

Graham Polak had 38 touches in Coburg's reserves, missing out on senior selection because of the 12-10 AFL-listed player rule against a VFL stand-alone club.

McRae had retired Tiger Kane Johnson assisting him in the coach's box with Rawlings watching on.

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/rfnews/young-bulldog-injures-neck/2009/06/20/1244918237087.html

[Judge Roughneck]

Went down to this game. Port Melbourne have brillant ground. $4 beer cans & outstanding hotdogs.

Was a very sad day for Richond fans.

Joel was good, nailed a few blokes and got the ball. Looked a class above. The ball hardly came to Schultz @ FF. Connors did nothing. Thomson crap. Putt does looks like he does not understand the game very well. Overall was a crap effort.

Bit worried about a few of our younger players.

From the 3rds Hughes kicked the winning goal. Raines played. Polak was in the ruck.

[1965]

Went down to this game. Port Melbourne have brillant ground. $4 beer cans & outstanding hotdogs.

Was a very sad day for Richond fans.

Joel was good, nailed a few blokes and got the ball. Looked a class above. The ball hardly came to Schultz @ FF. Connors did nothing. Thomson crap. Putt does looks like he does not understand the game very well. Overall was a crap effort.

Bit worried about a few of our younger players.

From the 3rds Hughes kicked the winning goal. Raines played. Polak was in the ruck.

Now there's an oxymoron.

 

[mightytiges]

Putt needs to stack on another 10kgs, Post another 6-7kgs. They are both still young especially for talls. I wasn't totally unhappy with them either. Both showed as mobile talls there's something to work with IMO. Being in a better side playing a more direct style would've helped too. Take a mark as a tall mid or rebounding defender then dish off to a classy small who passes long would make them effective and dangerous players playing both contested KP and uncontested linking footy. Yesterday would've been the worst Coburg has played just from a gameplan point of view. How you could develop your footy as a youngster playing that crap is mindboggling.

Good news about Polly in the 2s  .

[WilliamPowell]

What a terrible display

i thought Bowden J was OK, Silvestor good and the others .... well it's better left unsaid

Actually no it isn't

Putt - is not a CHB and really does need to work on the defensive side of his game. When the ball moves more than 3-5 metres away from him he either jogs or stops rather than going into help his team-mate and applying pressure.

Post - see putt above about defensive pressure. His disposal was woeful yesterday. Based on yesterday's effort doesnt deserve to play AFL yet

Cogs - I am "gobsmacked" he was named in the best. His helicopter pass to leading forward were ghastly

King - though Jake was OK but disposal awful

thompson - biggest disappointment of the day for me 

Connors - I would drop him back to the ressies until he is prepared to play team footy 

Jordie - no wonder the likes of Putt & Post jog on the spot and not run hard when they see a senior player do exactly the same thing. He wont chase, he wont tackle and he wont bloody attack the contest

Would agree there Ramps
And with other clubs challenging alliances and even going back to having there own reserves, I think this is the only option.
Considering the Frankstons grant from the VFL is only $150,000. Surely and AFL club could support there own reserves team.
Interesting that Essendon are dropping Bendigo at years end for the exact reason, too hard to keep control of the  development of younger players, and they have had success of there younger players too.
Too many Richmond players have gone backwards at Coburg. Although it might be the fault of the players and not the process

Jack/Ramps -It isn't as easy as suddenly saying lets dump the alignments and field our own team. Firstly the VFL licences are controlled and issued by AFL Victoria, so you would need them to OK it. Dont' be mislead by the AFL Vic grant to stand alone VFL teams - they get other things as well, like extra salary cap spend. It would cost alot more than $150k to field a team in the VFL. Remember that both Geelong and Collingwood have to have a VFL list of 12 players outside of their AFL list, so there is another cost.

Geelong's annual report a few years back actually said it costs them approx $400 to field a team in the VFL every year and I am sure that Pies budget around the same figure to field their team.

[Mr Magic]

The Sunday Age says Polak had 38 possessions...

Pretty sure that was Raines and not Polly. Could be wrong.

[WilliamPowell]

The Sunday Age says Polak had 38 possessions...

Pretty sure that was Raines and not Polly. Could be wrong.

It was Raines

[mightytiges]

Putt - is not a CHB and really does need to work on the defensive side of his game. When the ball moves more than 3-5 metres away from him he either jogs or stops rather than going into help his team-mate and applying pressure.

Post - see putt above about defensive pressure. His disposal was woeful yesterday. Based on yesterday's effort doesnt deserve to play AFL yet

I believe that's why both were sent back into defence to work on the defensive side of their game.

WP your whole post is spot on. Connors was my biggest disappointment. He's in danger of being another footballer who wastes his talent because he is undisciplined and plays as if it's all about him. At least twice yesterday he spoiled his own teammate in a marking contest because he still went for the mark himself one handed even though his teammate was in clear better position to mark the footy in both hands on the lead .

[one-eyed]

Round 10 Match Report
By Glenn Robertson

PORT MELBOURNE v COBURG TIGERS
TEAC OVAL
SATURDAY 20th JUNE

The Burgers travelled down to Teac Oval on Saturday to take on Port Melbourne on a fairly cloudy and dark day. Both sides sat equal on the ladder with five wins apiece with the Burgers having a couple of key inclusions into the team including Joel Bowden and Mark Coughlan. However the Borough were minor favourites heading into the match. Craig McRae took over the reins as the new Burger coach and after a week off the boys were firing and ready to impress.

A 2-3 goal wind was favouring the far end to which the Borough would kick to first.  However it was Coburg who looked the better team early on but could not convert it on the scoreboard, booting the first three points of the match. Nat Caruso looked lively and laid a couple of fierce tackles, while Bowden and Daniel Connors racked up the possessions.

Port kicked the first major of the game after thirteen minutes and from then on added three more before Bowden kicked Coburg’s solitary goal for the term just before the siren.

Coburg Tigers 1.3 (9)   Port Melbourne 4.4 (28)

Port kicked an early goal in the second term before some great courage from Nick Carnell caused a spillage for Jay Schultz to slot his first major. Connors unselfishly passed to Glen Carrick who converted and after Tim Clarke kicked a great running goal the Burgers were looking the goods. But Port had other ideas and finished the term off strongly kicking multiple goals to take a thirty eight point lead in to the main change. Although it wasn’t all good news for the Borough as they had two players stretchered off during the first half.

Coburg Tigers 4.4 (28)   Port Melbourne 10.6 (66)

Coburg made costly errors early in the third term that lead to Borough goals and made it very hard for any chance of a resurgence. Jarrod Silvester battled hard at full back all day and created run out of the backline. He set up Tim Clarke’s second goal, which was followed by majors to Andrew Horne and Schultz midway through the term. The Burgers battled well into the breeze finishing the quarter evenly with three goals a piece. Joel Bowden was brilliant playing off the wing picking up disposals at will and also having a handful of goal assists. Coming home with the mild breeze the Burgers were still a slight chance to pull off a memorable victory.

Coburg Tigers 7.4 (46)   Port Melbourne 13.9 (87)

Unfortunately the Borough came out firing after the small break booting consecutive goals in the opening minutes and putting and killing off any thoughts of a burger comeback. Tim Clarke was again a standout for the Tigers using the ball wisely and he also finished with three majors for the match. Mark Coughlan was great in patches as was captain Nick Carnell, but after a five goal each final term the Borough ran away with a forty five point victory.

This week sees the Burgers return home to ABD Group Stadium to take on ninth place Sandringham on Saturday starting at 2.00pm. Coburg currently sit in seventh place on the ladder with five wins. The Reserves sit in fifth place and also take on Sandringham starting at 11.10am.

Coburg Tigers   1.3   4.4   7.4 12.5 (77)
Port Melbourne  4.4 10.6 13.9 18.14 (122)

Goal Kickers: T. Clarke 3, J. Schulz 3, A. Horne 2, J. Bowden, G. Carrick, N. Caruso, A. Browne

Best Players: T. Clarke, J. Bowden, N. Carnell, J. Silvester, J. King, M. Coughlan

RESERVES

The Tiger Reserves held off a fast finishing Borough side to win by four points. After leading by three straight kicks at the main change the boys held on for a gutsy highly entertaining victory late in the match.

Andrew Raines was brilliant for the Burgers running off half back and through the midfield collecting 39 possessions, while Graeme Polak also was a standout playing his best game for season 2009. The goals were shared around for the Burgers with Alroy Gilligan the most prolific up forward booting four majors.

Coburg Tigers   2.2 8.7 12.10 15.14 (104)
Port Melbourne  2.5 5.7 11.8 15.10 (100)

Goal Kickers: A. Gilligan 4, R. Allan 2, C. Hughes 2, A. Raines 2, J. Bassi, J. Hislop, M. Kellett, J. Horne, N. Cattapan

Best Players: A. Raines, G. Polak, C. McErlain, N. Cattapan, B. Clifton, A. Gilligan

http://www.sportingpulse.com/club_info.cgi?client=1-118-10471-0-0&sID=56260&&news_task=DETAIL&articleID=9320553&sectionID=56260

[one-eyed]

Stats from McRae's first EOTT report:

Bowden - 27 possies. "Great leadership"

Silvester - "Clearly one of the best players on the ground. Continues to attack both the footy and his opponent hard. Kept a quality forward in Adrian Bonaddio goalless. Also provided good drive out of defence for us."

The rest had "but", "although", "struggled", "beaten" or "second to the ball" next to their name.

Browne played No.1 ruck for the first time and had 80% game time.

http://210.50.4.102/rfc/