Round 14 Match Report
By Glenn Robertson
coburgtigers.com.au
GEELONG v COBURG TIGERS
SATURDAY 18th JULYCoburg travelled down to Geelong for an early morning curtain raiser match on Saturday against the Cats before the AFL scheduled Geelong v Melbourne clash. The game was a highly important one for both sides with each sitting equal on the ladder with six wins a-piece. The Burgers took the points the last time these two sides met in Round 2, defeating the Cats by seventy four points in a very high scoring affair.
However on this occasion in blustery conditions both sides scrapped it out in a close tight encounter.
After a couple of very poor first quarters in the previous weeks it was vital that the Burgers got off to a solid start this week. Kicking into a mild breeze the boys produced an even first quarter performance that showed them down by just two goals at the first break. Graham Polak and Adam Pattison had their work cut out for them playing against Geelong premiership ruckman Mark Blake. It was a classic match up all day with all three players having a high impact on the match.
Coburg Tigers 2.3 (15) Geelong 4.5 (29)
Geelong played a muddled up style of football in the second term to try and maintain their quarter time lead. It wasn’t entertaining to watch but the Burgers harder bodies in the packs forced the ball free and allowed Coburg to add three goals to nil for the term. Joel Bowden was back to some of his best form, finding plenty of the ball across the midfield finishing with a match high 36 disposals. The Burgers held a slender five point lead at the main change.
Coburg Tigers 5.6 (36) Geelong 4.7 (31)
Geelong opened up the game more in the third term creating a more free flowing style of football. Coburg’s defence stood up well, but the Cats still managed five goals for the term while the Burgers added another two majors into the wind that was gradually decreasing in stature. Tim Clarke showed his presence around the ground crashing the packs and following it up by winning the hard ball. Along with Nic Carnell he would be leading Coburg’s Best and Fairest count at this stage of the year. The game was still up for grabs going into the final term with the Burgers down by just a couple of goals.
Coburg Tigers 7.9 (51) Geelong 9.11 (65)
Unfortunately the Burgers couldn’t break down Geelong’s lead in the final term. Each time the Burgers went forward to score the Cats would respond with their own goal quickly and took away any momentum Coburg tried to build. It was a gallant effort by the boys but the Geelong side were too good on the day. Senior players Andrew Raines and Nathan Brown both played great games having 32 and 28 possessions respectively.
The loss now sees Coburg fall to eighth position. The next couple of weeks will be vital with some must win games if the boys are to make the final eight. Coburg take on the fourth placed Casey Scorpions at Casey Fields on Saturday starting at 1.10pm, with the game being televised on the ABC.
Coburg Tigers 2.3 5.6 7.9 10.12 (72)
Geelong 4.5 4.7 9.11 12.17 (89)
Goal Kickers: T. Clarke 2, A. Browne 2, J. Schulz, N. Carnell, J. Bowden, C. Hughes, A. Raines, N. Liddle
Best Players: J. Bowden, G. Polak, T. Clarke, A. Pattison, B. Clifton, N. Brown
RESERVESThe Burger reserves played out a thrilling final term to snatch a one point victory from the Casey Scorpions. Kicking against a howling breeze in the first term Coburg found themselves down by five goals at the first change. Extremely accurate kicking at goal over the next three quarters was the reason the boys got over the line. Alroy Gilligan and Jake De Sousa were the main contributors in front of goal slotting through seven between them. Captain Rhett Jordan was instrumental in the final term to get the boys over the line. Nic Wood and Tamer Abdallah were also stand out players for the Burgers.
Coburg Tigers 1.0 7.3 10.3 14.7 (91)
Casey Scorpions 5.6 5.7 12.12 13.12 (90)
Goal Kickers: A. Gilligan 4, J. De Sousa 3, T. Abdallah 2, D. Putt, J. Bassi, J. Saville, J. Kandilakis, C. McErlain
Best Players: R. Jordon, T. Abdallah, N. Wood, L. McQuilken, A. Gilligan, J. Kandilakis
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