Seniors
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¼ time
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½ time
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¾ time
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Full Time
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Frankston
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1.2.8
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5.4.34
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10.6.66
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12.10.82
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Coburg
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3.2.20
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3.6.24
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8.7.55
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11.9.75
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Best: Thomas, Venditti, Sturgess, Uysal, Clifton, A.Saad, Johnson
Goals: Thomas 3, Featherstone 2, Uysal 2, Sturgess, Venditti, Proud, Hill
Nathan Thomas’ 29 possessions and 3 goals were unable to get a young Coburg side over the line against Frankston last Saturday. The Lions fell by a mere 7 points in a tough fought midfield contested game.
First year VFL player Andrew Sturgess and Daniel Venditti had 31 touches apiece, whilst Adam Saad and Tom Ellard were key down back providing opportunities for Ozgur Uysal and Guy Phelps to run and carry.
It was a great start for the Lions with vice-captain Daniel Venditti getting the goal scoring underway. Andrew Sturgess and Nathan Thomas were instrumental in moving the ball out from half-back and had 10 possessions each at quarter time. Thomas added a goal to his impressive first quarter stat line, followed by a long range effort from new key forward Lech Featherstone to give the Lions a 2 goal quarter time lead.
It was the start that Coburg needed, primarily due to losing ruckman Adrian Fancellu and key back Matt Fairbairn late in the first quarter to injuries. Players had to step up, and no more so than big Paul Johnson, who had 6 first quarter possessions en route to solid ruckwork that gave Coburg a 10 to 6 clearance lead at the first change.
The second quarter became the Achilles’ heel of the performance. Whilst the Lions maintained solidarity early in the second quarter, the first goal of the quarter finally came after 14 minutes to the Dolphins.
This would then start a run of three more unanswered goals for Frankston as they gained control of the game to go into the break with a 10 point lead. The Lions were outplayed in the middle losing the hitout battle 13 to 3 for the quarter and subsequently the clearances 14 to 4.
After the break, the game opened up with 10 goals being split evenly. Nathan Thomas rammed home his second of the game inside a minute before back to back Frankston goals gave the impression that Coburg were going to get run over.
But the Lions responded beautifully. Ozgur Uysal goaled on the run after a great midfield clearance, and this was followed by two more goals in quick succession to Thomas and a bit of a collector’s item from Jonathan Proud going forward.
But anything the Lions could do, the Dolphins could do better. They hit back with two in succession including a trademark on the run finish from Shannon Taylor to give his teammates an 17 point lead that was shortened right on three-quarter time with Ozgur Uysal’s second of the game.
Frankston’s 11 point three quarter time lead was diminished quickly with Andrew Sturgess and Dion Hill getting amongst the goalkickers. This was followed by Featherstone’s long range goal to give the Lions a 5 point lead.
However, the Dolphins weren’t going to let this game slip away from their home ground and capitalised on turnovers from hard pressure on the young Coburg midfield to run out 7-point winners.
It was a bitter defeat for the Lions who gave a strong second half performance with both experienced and inexperienced players lifting their games to give the Dolphins a run for their money. Daniel Venditti had 21 possessions after half time, whilst Tom Ellard improved on his four disposal first half to finish with 16 for the game and four rebound 50s.
Captain Nick Carnell was impressed with how the boys rallied in the second half.
“We grew a lot as a group today” Carnell stated.
“The boys hung in there and had a crack. We fell away a bit in the second quarter, but the positives were that we really stuck at it” He said.
Overall, this should be a positive experience for the Lions, we saw flashes of brilliance and smart execution. What lacks is the consistency to deliver it over four quarters.
“Mentally, guys get fatigued and it shows on the field. We need to be mentally stronger as a group.” Carnell declared.
There are positive signs ahead for the Lions, as they look forward to their season opener at home next Saturday against Port Melbourne.
Development
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¼ time
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½ time
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¾ time
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Full Time
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Frankston
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2.2.14
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7.4.46
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9.4.58
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15.8.98
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Coburg
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2.2.14
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3.3.21
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7.10.52
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11.10.76
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Best: Totino, Sortino, Mance, Golding, Van Der Byl, Anderson, T.Williams
Goals: Van Der Byl 3, Anderson 2, Cleary 2, Mance, Ryan, Robinson, Lindon
27 disposals, 13 clearances and 8 inside 50s from Josh Totino wasn’t enough to get Coburg over the line in their development match against the Dolphins at Frankston Park last Saturday.
Totino had help from ruckman Ben Sortino, who dominated the stoppages amassing 41 hitouts and 22 disposals.
The first quarter was even as both sides battle to control the game. Steve Golding was everywhere, as he collected 10 disposals all over the ground. Ted Lindon kicked the first goal for the Lions but his game was short lived, as he wouldn’t return from a suspected ankle injury.
The scoring was evenly spread with the game tied a 2.2.14 apiece at the first break.
The second quarter began with Frankston goaling inside a minute. The Dolphins followed up with two more quick ones until forward Charlie Van Der Byl stopped the run.
Despite Jack Yelland, Anthony Liberatore and Cody Mance all winning more of the ball, The Lions struggled to get clean possessions from the back half to apply forward pressure.
The second half opened with three goals to the Lions to attempt a comeback from their 25 point half time deficit. Cleary, Ryan and Anderson all got their names on the scoresheet as they started to win the ball out of the middle.
Josh Totino had a quarter to remember 11 disposals, 6 clearances and 5 inside 50s to lead the midfield.
But late goals to Frankston and missed opportunities gave them some breathing space to go into the final term with a slender one-goal lead.
The final quarter had scintillating moments of brilliance. Sortino continued his dominance of the Frankston rucks and provided a lift to his little helpers. Abdallah had 8 final quarter touches to lead the Lions but a third goal from Van Der Byl and a second from Cleary weren’t able to get the Lions over the line.
Frankston ran out 22-point winners in a game that the Lions can take a lot of positives from, and will certainly be a learning experience that will benefit them this upcoming season.
Written by Jason De Vincentis
Last Modified on 24/03/2014 12:28