|
¼time
|
½ time
|
¾ time
|
Full Time
|
Collingwood
|
4.4.28
|
9.10.64
|
11.13.79
|
15.17.107
|
Coburg
|
1.4.10
|
2.5.17
|
6.8.44
|
9.9.63
|
Best: Thomas, Linton, Sturgess, A.Saad, Sortino, Younan
Goals: Younan 3, Featherstone 3, Z.Saad 2, Cooper
Despite a strong second half, the Lions were unable to cope with an experienced Collingwood outfit led by Taylor Adams and Kyle Martin as they ran out 44-point winners on Saturday afternoon.
The Magpies were boosted in both key position areas by Quinten Lynch and Nathan Brown, and the experience was too much to handle for the Lions as injuries continued to pile up Saturday to an already decimated list.
An early injury to key defender and backup ruckman Jonathon Proud was the last thing Coburg wanted out from the game. This was followed in the second half by clash on the wing, which left midfielder Cody Mance clutching his collarbone.
The game started off with high intensity as both sides struggled to break the major deadlock. It took 10 minutes until Patrick Karnezis kicked the first goal of the game for the Pies.
Lech Featherstone kicked the only goal of the first quarter for the Lions after a nice passage of play by Daniel Venditti and Andrew Sturgess.
The home side continued to apply pressure and a close first quarter was suddenly stretched out to a three-goal margin with a Ben Hudson goal on the quarter time siren.
The second quarter was the darkest period for the young Lions. Silly mistakes occurred and the Magpies stretched the lead out 52 points midway through the second term and a blowout looked to be on the cards.
The Lions were getting outplayed in the usual areas. At half-time the Lions had turned the ball over 27 times, and were being beaten in the contested possessions 82 to 56.
A late Daniel Younan goal appeared to be a mere consolation as the Lions headed to the change rooms at the half time break preparing themselves to receive a rousing speech from senior coach Peter German.
Whatever German said to his troops, seemed to be proven effective. An early Kyle Martin goal was all Collingwood could manage early in the third quarter as the Lions lifted their intensity and through Daniel Younan’s creativity up forward managed to apply some scoreboard pressure to the Magpies.
Daniel Cooper went down with a horrible looking shoulder injury that required a stoppage in play, but courageously managed to return after the three quarter time siren.
The Lions out-tackled the Magpies by 11 in the third term, and were leading the clearances going into the final change.
They had been lifted by the realisation that they were down to three on the bench and players such as Nathan Thomas and Andrew Sturgess lifted and took control of the midfield.
Collingwood fought back in the final term as they aimed to consolidate a victory and boost their percentage. A few contentious decisions here and there got Collingwood back on top, but the best moment was saved until the final few minutes when injured midfielder Daniel Cooper returned to bang home a goal on the run after seemingly dislocating his shoulder.
Late goals to Collingwood finalised the result but many positives can be taken from the Lions’ performance.
The standout note is that they won the second half by 3 points. It’s another sign that Coburg’s mental game is an issue and the Lions need to be focused for longer periods of the match.
Ruckman Ben Sortino is growing with confidence every match. He’s been grossly under stress from opposing ruckmen and has had little help due to injuries to Paul Johnson, Adrian Fancellu and Jonathan Proud. He matched up well against an experienced Ben Hudson and Saturday’s match will serve him well.
Elsewhere, it was positive to see the return of Nathan Thomas after missing last week’s game to work commitments. The midfielder didn’t miss a step and was key in the third quarter swing in momentum.
The Lions will have little rest this week, with their eye on the reigning premiers Box Hill in a few days time.
Jason De Vincentis
Last Modified on 21/04/2014 15:13