An impressive second half from Geelong put a stop to Coburg's recent good form, with the Cats recording a solid, come from behind victory at Skilled Stadium last Saturday as Kane Hunkin reports.
In a tense and often spiteful clash, it was the Cats who ran out the game better, rectifying a disappointing first half to claim win number three for season 2011.
Coburg, entering the game on the back of a notable underdog win against finals contender Bendigo, appeared likely to continue their momentum early, racing out to a 26 point quarter-time lead. Through the agency of Mitch Morton and Jayden Post, who staked a claim for mark of the day, the Tigers looked set for another determined showing.
Brad Miller (five goals) asserted himself as the dominant forward in the match's infancy, providing a solid lead-up option in the forward 50, with Geelong seemingly unable to quell his influence.
Compounding matters, Geelong youngster Mitch Fisher's day ended early when the midfielder suffered a left ankle injury. However, despite trailing in key areas, the Cats remained a stubborn opponent to keep in touch at half-time.
The second half belonged to the home side, kicking eleven goals to five. A strong mark and eventual conversion from Jordan Schroder (two goals) on the three-quarter time siren capped off a committed fight-back, ensuring the margin remained under a kick going into the last change.
Coburg was left to rue some undisciplined behaviour in the game's latter stages. A point typified in two specific last quarter instances, with 50 metre penalties awarded to Cat forwards Schroder and Cameron Mooney - both resulting in key goals.
While the Tigers kept scoreboard pressure on, it was nevertheless the Cats who ultimately took the game on, with Josh Cowan and Jonathan Simpkin important late. Geelong would hold on to record a gutsy 15 point victory and the club's first back-to-back wins for the year.
After the game, Geelong coach Dale Amos was enthused by his side's ability to reverse a poor first half and produce a polished last two quarters.
"I thought our midfielders in the second half were fantastic and that was probably the difference in the end that they were able to get on top. Josh Cowan, Ben Raidme, Jackson Sheringham, [and] Shannon Byrnes were able to get a lot of the footy and win the ball in the contest and that meant we got a lot more inside 50's in the second half," Amos said.
Furthermore, the coach highlighted the group's "matured" response to the game and season in general.
"I think the group's matured. I think we're playing a lot better footy than we were at the start [of the season] and I think the signs are really positive for us moving forward as a group."
However, the only sour note for the winners came the day before the contest, with Amos confirming Marcus Drum (on the eve of his VFL return) again re-injured his troublesome hamstring.
"Drummy [Marcus Drum] hurt his hamstring again yesterday. It's unfortunate for him that he's played so little footy at this footy club but he will bounce back whether he gets an opportunity to play again this year or not," he said.
Jackson Sheringham, Troy Selwood and Mooney (four goals) were among the best for the Cats while Coburg captain Nick Carnell (three goals) produced a performance fitting of his leadership role for the beaten Tigers.
Geelong now travels to Windy Hill to battle Bendigo on Sunday while Coburg returns home to take on North Ballarat this Saturday.
Geelong 15.9.99 def Coburg 12.12.84
Last Modified on 18/07/2011 09:23