Coburg notched their first win since round round 8 on Sunday, defeating Werribee by 3 points in a thrilling encounter. It was a huge win for the home side, having been beaten comfortably in the two sides previous meeting.
Coburg's home ground, Mantello Holden Oval, had seen better days. The weather from the few days previous, added to the development match played immediately prior to the game, made for a muddy, slippery centre square, ensuring that it would be a hard fought slog all day. The first quarter began accordingly. Neither team was able to create too much space, leading to a large number of stoppages in the wet, and making it very difficult to score. The first goal went to Werribee roughly 10 minutes in to the term, before Coburg managed to hit back with 3 of their own (McDonough, McGuane, Maric), going in to the first change 3.1 (19) to 2.1 (13) - 6 points ahead.
The match was completely turned on it's head in the second term. Coburg began to win almost every centre clearance, and refused to let Werribee have the ball. Some excellent forward pressure from Coburg ensured that the vast majority of the quarter was spent inside their attacking half, with Werribee finding it near impossible to complete a successful rebound. Liam McBean looked very dangerous for this extended period inside Coburg's forward 50, managing to kick 2 goals for the term which could have been quite a few more had a few marks stuck or a few chances flown the other side of the post. Helbig added a huge goal from outside 50 which got the home crowd roaring and Ben Griffiths added the other for the quarter. Werribee were held scoreless for nearly the entire quarter, but managed to add a goal with one of their very few forward 50 entries, with just a few minutes remaining. Coburg went in to half time 31 points up and full of confidence.
With the third quarter came another change of momentum, in a match which had many ebbs and flows and refused to let either team open the floodgates. Weribee began to get their hands on the ball once again, and the game tightened up tenfold. The quarter was a very low scoring one, ending 2 goals to 1 Werribee's way, but had it not been for some crucial missed chances by the away side (6 behinds) the game could have been even tighter than the eventual 21 point margin going in to the final change.
The final term promised to be a captivating one, with Werribee having worked their way back in to a match which amost looked out of their grasp, and holding most of the momentum for the home stretch, and it certainly delivered. From the minute the term began, it was clear that it was all Werribee. Coburg looked as if they might be running out of legs, whereas Werribee were putting together some of their best play for the day. This resulted in them slowly chipping away at the lead, with Coburg failing to put any goals on the board. The last 5-10 minutes were nailbiters for anybody watching, with he game staying at a single digit margin, Coburg managing to stay just ahead for the majority of the time, but with Werribee looking the more likely to add another goal. Coburg player Ben Clifton managed to kick a goal on the run within the last 5 minutes (Coburgs only goal for the term!) which proved to be the steadier, and perhaps the match winning goal. Nick Maric took a mark at the 50m mark on the boundary with 20 seconds remaining, and took his time, allowing the clock to run out, the siren to go, and Coburg to win by just 3 points.
There was a mixture of joy and relief evident on the faces of Coburg players after the match, knowing that the game had nearly gotten away from them, but they had just done enough to hold on for the 4 points.
Some of the better players for the game included Verrier, who perhaps played his best game in Coburg colours, showing a steady head and winning plenty of ball under pressure throughout the day. Lonergan and Venditti were a dangerous pair through the centre, particulary in the 2nd term when Coburg were dominant in that area, and David Astbury played a very solid game in defence not allowing the Werribee forwards any space or free marks. Nick Maric delivered one of the most exciting moments of the day, taking a spectacular mark in the forward pocket during the exciting final term. He flew on top of a Werribee defenders shoulders, and then seemed to get even higher (Andrew Walker like!) managing to clunk it, and hold it all the way down. Unfortunately he came out of it looking a little worse for wear and couldn't convert the difficult shot, but it was certainly a moment which encapsulated the thrilling close to the match.
Coburg Coburg 9.12.66
Werribee 9.9.63
GOALS: Mcbean 2, Maric. McDonough, Ohanlon, Helbig, Griffiths, Clifton, Mcguane.
BEST: Verrier, Lonergan, Venditti, Astbury, Helbig, Nahas.
Coburg Development Squad also managed a win on Sunday, defeating Werribee by 21 points in a very heated affair which involved a 1/4 time melee, and multiple other spotfires throughout the match. Coburg's Ozgur Uysal had a day out, mustering 20 clearances and 2 goals amongst his 44 touches. He has certainly put his hand up for the senior squad with such a dominant performance.
Next weeks games will be played against Northern Blues at Preston City Oval on Sunday the 28th July. Development 10am, Seniors 1pm.
Last Modified on 23/07/2013 11:38