With only two wins on the board after 12 rounds of football, Coburg’s first half of the season has been disappointing. While some early games could easily have gone their way, recent blowouts suggest the Tigers outfit has underperformed this year, as they find themselves situated at the wrong end of the ladder. However despite their poor record some exciting young players have emerged and look to be integral contributors for Coburg moving forward.
James Hunter-Smith reviews their season so far.
Where they stand-
After 12 rounds, Coburg sits in 11th place on the Peter Jackson VFL ladder with two wins and seven losses to their name. Early defeats to Sandringham and the Bullants are proving costly, with both games decided by less than seven points and very winnable from a Coburg standpoint. Their two wins against Collingwood in round nine and the upset victory against Casey in round 12 have been pitted against heavy losses to Box Hill (76 points), North Ballarat (60) and Port Melbourne (104).
Key players-
While Coburg has seen many Richmond-listed players in its line-up, it has been the youngsters that have made the biggest impact on their season so far.
The Tigers have used the 23rd player on many occasions, uncovering great young talent such as Willie Wheeler, Glen Grgic and Dylan Murphy, all who have earned regular spots in the side. Murphy in particular has been important up forward, with 11 goals to his name since making his senior debut in round nine.
Experienced Richmond midfielder Shane Tuck has been an integral player for Coburg this season, providing plenty of run through the middle of the ground and his composure on field has helped the younger players. Captain Nick Carnell has also exerted his leadership with 15 goals for the season, while explosive fullback David Gourdis has been named in the bests four times already this year and is in fine form, gaining himself a call up to the AFL this week.
From the coach-
Senior coach Adam Potter said the first half of the season has been disappointing, particularly the early games his side let slip.
“I’ve said it before, the first game we should’ve won, and then we pushed the Bullants…we were very strong in round two,” he said.
“We lost some confidence losing four in a row…the Frankston game was really disappointing.”
Potter said the focus for the second half of the season will be on playing consistent footy, and to continue pushing other teams higher on the ladder.
“It’s week to week at the moment…we’ve still got areas we can improve on,” he said.
“We’ve just got to try and build some consistency and hopefully shake up a few sides heading towards the end of the year.”
In his first year at the club, Potter said he is loving the challenge of working with both experienced and young players, but admitted he didn’t always believe he was ready for such a role.
“I’m really enjoying it, the challenge of being a VFL senior coach,” he said.
“Five or six years ago if you asked me [to] get the opportunity, I probably would have said no.
“[But] I’m thriving on it week to week, working with young players, working with the Richmond guys coming back…I’m really enjoying the role.”
The run home-
Coburg must radically turn their season around if they are to avoid missing finals for the third straight year. Remarkably they are only two games outside the eight, however their poor percentage is a concern. They have four home games and four away games remaining in their run home, including a seven-game stretch without a bye between rounds 15 to 21.
The Tigers do not meet the surging Port Melbourne or Williamstown again this season, however huge challenges still remain with upcoming games against North Ballarat and the Northern Bullants at Preston. The recent win against Casey will instil them with great confidence which they must use this to their advantage if they are to push other top four teams later in the season.
Games against Werribee, Geelong and Frankston are all winnable for Coburg, and they will need to ensure they make most of their chances if they are to resurrect their season.
Last Modified on 24/06/2011 15:16