Round 19 Match ReportBy Glenn Robertson
coburgtigers.com.au
NORTHERN BULLANTS v COBURG TIGERS
SUNDAY 23rd AUGUST
NAB OVAL
Coburg travelled to the NAB Oval on Sunday to face fifth placed Northern Bullants. It was still mathematically possible for the Burgers to make the finals, but the boys were relying on other results to fall their way.
Graham Polak returned to Richmond for his long awaited return, while Troy Simmons and Kelvin Moore were also key outs for the Coburg side; returning to the AFL. Adam Thompson was rewarded for his consistent season with the Burgers also elevated to make his debut for Richmond.
The wind favoured the end the Bullants kicked to first and boy did they take advantage of it booting through seven majors for the quarter, while at the other end the Burgers couldn’t manage a score. Clearly the Bullants dominated the quarter winning in all measureable areas. Next it was Coburg’s turn to kick with the wind.
Coburg Tigers 0.0 (0) Northern Bullants 7.5 (47)
It was an even contest in the second term with both sides dominating patches of play. However it was disappointing for the Burgers as they conceded another four goals while only booting through four themselves.
The class of experienced players Tim Clarke and Mark Coughlan showed as both players continued to find the ball throughout the match, but they just didn’t have enough teammates around them.
The Burgers trailed by seven goals at the main break and it was about to get worse.
Coburg Tigers 4.5 (29) Northern Bullants 11.6 (72)
Coburg didn’t have any answers for the surge that the Northern Bullants put on them in the third term, as the ball spent ninety percent of the term in the Bullants half.
Jarrod Silvester was one of the Burgers best battling hard across the full back line all day. He was well supported at centre half back by Jason Morgan. Both players beat their opponents well, but with the mass amount of ball coming into the backline they never stood a chance at stopping the Bullants kicking a winner total.
Coburg went into the final change down by a whopping ninety four points.
Coburg Tigers 4.6 (30) Northern Bullants 19.10 (124)
Both sides had little to gain in the final term and as it ended so too did the Burgers season for 2009. Unfortunately Coburg have the bye next week and have finished the year on a fairly sour note. After such a solid start to the year the side was constantly hampered with multiple forced changes to the side each week, including that of their coach Jade Rawlings. There are still plenty of positives to take out of the year including the massive number of players Richmond have blooded through the VFL.
The attention now turns to the reserve side who are currently sitting in third spot on the ladder and are a certainty of playing finals for season 2009.
Coburg Tigers 0.0 4.5 4.6 6.9 (45)
Northern Bullants 7.5 11.6 19.10 23.12 (150)
Goal Kickers: J. Schulz, N. Carnell, M. Coughlan, J. Hislop, J. Morgan, C. Hughes
Best Players: J. Silvester, J. Morgan, T. Clarke, B. Clifton, M. Coughlan, N. Caruso
RESERVES The Burger reserves pout up a solid fight against their Bullant opponents but in the final quarter were over run with the Bullants using the massive wind to their full advantage. Coburg led by twenty one points heading into the final change but couldn’t stop the Bullants slotting through seven majors in the final term. James Kandilakis played his best game for the Burgers and was well supported by Jon Horne and James Keough. The Boys still hold onto third spot on the ladder a game clear of fourth, but have a bye this week in the final round.
Coburg Tigers 2.6 4.6 10.13 11.14 (80)
Northern Bullants 2.0 7.4 8.4 15.6 (96)
Goal Kickers: J. Bassi 2, A. Corry 2, J. Kandilakis, D. Rayson, D. De Cesare, M. Ambrose, S. McCallum, J. Horne, J. Morris
Best Players: J. Kandilakis, J. Keogh, J. Horne, N. Cattapan, J. Morris, N. Wood
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