Coburg grabbed their second win on the trot for the first time this season, after defeating Bendigo by 74 points out at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday. The win pushes Coburg up to equal 11th on the ladder, and although out of finals contention, will give them some much needed confidence going in to the end of the year.
It was a perfect day for football in Bendigo, with the sun out and no wind to speak of. A good crowd had shown up to support the struggling Bendigo, and the feeling around the ground was a good one. The home crowd wouldn't have liked what they saw early however, with Coburg starting the game superbly, barely allowing the home side to get their hands on the ball. Aaron Edwards was looking dangerous leading out of the goal square, and claimed 3 goals for the quarter, while Sam Lonergan was dominant out of the centre, and Dylan Grimes and Jake Bathchelor were effectively quelling the few attacking chances Bendigo could muster. Coburg went in to the first change 4.7 (31) to 0.3 (3), but could have been even further in front had it not been for some wasteful shooting for goal.
After a goalless first quarter, the young Bendigo side came out in the second term looking like they had something to prove, and before too long, this fighting attitude saw them reduce the margin to just a couple of goals. Coburg were still getting their hands on the ball more often, but Bendigo managed to find a few avenues to goal through some persistent forward 50 entries and defensive pressure. While Bendigo kicked 6 goals for the term, Coburg also managed 5 after a few towards the end of the quarter. Liam McBean was the stand out with 3 goals, while Edwards added another to take his tally to 4 at half time with the score 9.8 (62) to 6.6 (42).
The first quarter was controlled by Aaron Edwards, the second by Liam McBean, and in the third it was Adam Saad's turn, he kicked 3 goals in the space of about 10 minutes to put an end to any hopes Bendigo may have had for a second half comeback. Edwards chipped in with another 2 to take his tally to 6, while McBean took his to 4. The floodgates looked to be open at the end of the term, with the margin being pushed out to 49 points, and the spirits of the Bendigo players looking to be all but gone.
The final quarter continued in a similar fashion to the 3rd, with the Coburg midfield dominating, and the forwards taking advantage. Edwards finished the day with 7 goals, while McBean kicked 5, and Sam Lonegran joined the party with 2 last quarter goals in what was a best on ground performance (40 touches, 16 clearances, 2 goals). The final score was 23.16 (154) to 12.8 (80), Coburg winning by 74 points, and claiming two wins in a row for the first time this season.
The Coburg forwards clearly had a day out, and have the likes of Sam Lonergan (16 clearances) Brad Helbig (8 clearances, 32 touches) and Daniel Venditti (28 touches) to thank for their chances on goal, due to the midfielders taking complete control in the centre, and managing to extract the ball time and time again from contested situations. Tom Derickx also relished having first ruckman duties, playing possibly his best game for the season (42 hitouts, 1 goal). In defence, Dylan Grimes looked to return to full fitness and form (22 touches, 11 contested) while Jake Batchelor also had an impressive game rebounding out of the defensive half (21 touches, 13 marks).
Bendigo 12.8.80
Coburg 23.16.154
GOALS: Edwards 7, Mcbean 5, Saad 3, Elton 2, Lonergan 2, Helbig 1, Derickx 1, Batchelor 1, Maric 1.
BEST: Lonergan, Derickx, Edwards, Grimes, Venditti, Helbig.
Last Modified on 12/08/2013 12:56