Coburg crushed Essendon in the battle of the sash at Coburg’s Mantello Holden Oval on Saturday, leaving both sides in a log jam just outside the eight as Steve O’Brien reports.
Coburg led by 67 points at three quarter time, but a six goal to one final term saw the Bombers add some respectability to the scoreboard, with Coburg eventually victorious by 34 points.
Coburg had first use of the breeze and with their forwards playing in front were the first side to goal with Ben Griffiths converting after marking a hurried kick forward. The game stagnated till the 10 minute mark of the first quarter when an errant centreing kick from Trent Shinners was intercepted by Daniel Venditi who fed off a handball to Shane Tuck who converted on the run from 50.
At the other end Essendon missed 3 set shots from 30 metres out, Cory Del Olio, Elliott Kavanagh and Joe Daniher the culprits. Minutes later Daniher hit the post with his shot on the run from further out. Tuck (31 disposals) and Nathan Foley (27) set up many attacks for Coburg throughout the afternoon, and the home side finished the quarter off with goals to Nick Maric, Steve Verrier and Liam McBean to give the home side a 28-point quarter time lead.
Essendon coach Haydyn Skipworth reassured his players that they were playing well and had they converted their opportunities they would have only been a goal or two down at the break, with the wind at their backs to come he thought the five goal quarter time deficit would all but be whittled away at half time. He singled out the efforts of Ariel Steinberg who was doing a stopping job on danger man Aaron Edwards.
Essendon goaled early in the second quarter through Dell’ Olio and it appeared Skipworth’s words would ring true, but Orren Stephenson and teammates had other ideas. With the Big O dominating in the ruck, some wonderful tap work found his alternating wingmen in Foley and the fleet footed Matthew Arnott as the pair set up many avenues in attack. Edwards was getting on top of Steinberg but it was Robin Nahas and McBean who kicked two for the quarter that stole the show. Coburg, despite kicking into the wind kicked six goals to four for the term, with the only negative for the term being teenager Jake Loraine leaving the field with a knee injury.
Coburg’s domination continued in the third quarter with Nahas being unstoppable, kicking three goals for the term. Tuck and Foley were dominant in the midfield, and although giving away many centimetres the powerfully built Ben Darrou was doing an outstanding job on Daniher. He was well supported by David Astbury and Jake Batchelor who dropped back into the hole making life very difficult for Daniher. The home sides’ lead had extended to 67 points at three quarter time. For the Bombers Will Hams and Shinners were the shinning lights.
Stephenson limped off the ground with a minor corky just before three quarter time and took no further part in the match. Essendon finally found some run and big marks up forward through Shinners (three final term goal) and Daniher (2.6). Dell’Olio chimed in for two in the final term, reducing the final margin to 34 points.
Coburg coach Tim Clarke very pleased and proud of his players saying they had not been far off the mark in losses to the Northern Blues and Box Hill.
Clarke praised the efforts and attitude of Tuck, Foley, Nahas and said Darrou had been his best defender all year, the reason why he had been given the job on Daniher for the day. He also praised Tom Derickx saying it was probably the best game he had played for the Tigers.
At Essendon it is not all doom and gloom. The AFL side will have up to 6 players to return this week so the VFL side can expect to be bolstered also. Alex Browne playing his first match since round 1 after sustaining a hamstring injury played three quarters and should be ready to step up against Port.
Final scores Coburg 19-11-125 def Essendon 13-13-91
Both clubs have daunting matches in a fortnight with the bye round scheduled for next week. Coburg travel to Werribee which has not proved a happy hunting ground for the Tigers whilst Essendon will host Port Melbourne who are finding form after a slow start to the season – in the past two weeks they have ended the unbeaten run of the Northern Blues and this weekend accounting for Casey.
Photo:Dave Savell
Last Modified on 06/05/2013 13:02