Coburg Tigers host North Ballarat in this weekend’s ABC TV clash.
The game is important for both clubs, with finals spots on the line with six weeks left in the 2012 Peter Jackson VFL home and away season. The home side this weekend face a must win match, as they are currently three games and percentage outside of the top eight, and another defeat could end their 2012 finals hopes altogether.
Coburg coach Adam Potter believes the Tigers need to concentrate on this weekend’s clash before they start to work out possible equations for finals.
“We need to focus on North Ballarat, we can't afford to look any further than this game and we are fully aware it is a big game for our football club.
“They are one of the inform teams of the competition and have a very healthy list from North Melbourne at the minute and some good experience on their VFL list. We again know it will be a big challenge but we are hoping the experience our players have had being competitive against two top four sides will hold us in good stead for this week.”
Coburg is coming off losses to both Werribee (24 points) and Geelong (46) but in both matches the Tigers were within a goal at three quarter time. Potter said his players are aware they need to improve their finishes to matches.
“Our players are fully aware of the fade outs in our last two games. Our challenge is to maintain consistency for the whole game.
“We have showed some positive signs in recent weeks and some of our VFL players are thriving on the challenge of playing senior footy.”
Despite the defeats, Potter has been able to focus on those positives moving forward for the rest of the year.
“Our last two games have been very competitive. Werribee are a very good side and we were able to match them in some key areas.
“Our pressure was at the right level and our intent on transition was good for most of the day. We had some of our players take the next step, Luke Cartelli was very good with 27 possessions and 3 goals. Dave Fahey is developing well and did a good job on Nathan Ablett and Willie Wheeler had one of his better games for the year with 28 possessions and 11 clearances.”
North Ballarat too are working towards securing another finals berth, and know that a win against Coburg could knock out one of their competitors for a top eight spot. Football Manager Marg Richards said her side is looking for back to back wins on the road.
“We travelled to Sandringham last week and had a terrific win and we will travel to Coburg this week well prepared.
“Once the weekend review and recovery was completed Monday we have turned our focus to this week’s game. It’s been a good week but to use a classic cliché, the boys and coaching staff approach each week one at a time!”
North Ballarat has benefited over the last month from changes to the North Melbourne side, with the likes of Aaron Edwards and Ben Cunnington playing regularly for the Roosters. Richards stated their form, as well as that of their VFL listed players and some of the lesser know Roos players had been a plus for the side.
“Certainly Brad McKenzie stepped up when he was given a role to play on Brett Peake (last week), he kept Peake to just 6 touches in the second half and managed to kick 2 goals as well.
“Derick Micallef also contributed 5 goals and Myles Sewell’s leadership in the midfield was outstanding.”
Earlier in the year the two sides played out a 38 goal shoot out, with the Roosters victorious by 27 points in only their second win of the season. North Ballarat is expecting a similar challenge this time around.
“Coburg were very good against us earlier in the year and we expect them to be very good again this week.
“Fitzy has certainly reviewed our earlier game and our report on the game last week hopefully helps in our approach to the game this week.”
Last Modified on 20/07/2012 16:03