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Coburg Crowned PremiersTuesday, 10 September 2019
Reserves Grand Final, Sunday, 8 September 2019. Coburg Superules Premier Reserves have been crowned premiers in 2019 after a narrow 2-point victory over Parkdale in a low scoring affair at Casey Fields on Sunday.
Over a short period, a healthy rivalry has developed between the two clubs and this match was another classic, similar to the heart stopping “kick after the siren” win for Coburg in the 2018 Semi-Final. From the opening bounce the two best credentialled teams of 2019 went at it with gusto and purpose in blustery conditions, Parkdale opting to kick with the wind in the first term. For the Lions Carlo Federico was first to stand up and was superb in the opening stanza with some strong marking in the defensive half to keep the Vultures at bay. At the end of first quarter it was stalemate with both teams only managing 2-behinds. In the second term Coburg, aided by the breeze, got their running game going and began to make inroads peppering the goals. Majors to Owen Kortlang and Mick Noble saw the Lions take momentum and a 15-point lead into half time. Any thoughts Coburg had of running away with the game in the second half dissipated as quickly as weather conditions. The rain came down and then Parkdale surged, kicking two goals early in the quarter to peg back the margin to 2-points. Coburg’s Adam Lewis, who this season had won the League Goal Kicking, then marked 40 metres out on a 45-degree angle. In the pouring rain, the small forward slotted a clutch goal under extreme pressure to give the Lions back the advantage. It proved to be the most important kick of the day. However, Parkdale not to be denied, pinched a goal late in the third quarter to once again trim the margin back to 2-points to set up what was to be a thrilling last term. The final quarter was an arm wrestle with both teams fighting hard for every inch of territory and making uncharacteristic mistakes under pressure and ultimately in front of goal. It became a game of stoppages which in many respects suited Coburg’s appetite for contested footy. When Parkdale attacked, time after time the cavalry led often by Paul Turner arrived to kill the contest and reset. The Lions showed true desperation and commitment to grind out a nail biting 2-point victory. When the final siren sounded, Coburg 3.7-25 had defeated Parkdale 3.5-23. With it came a sense of both celebration and relief. It was a gutsy performance that went a long way to erasing the heartbreak of last season’s grand final loss. Ruckman Carlo Federico was a warrior on the day and thanks to his heroics he won the medal for a best afield performance. |
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Reserves March On To The Big DanceMonday, 26 August 2019
Reserves Semi Final, Sunday, 25 August 2019.
Coburg Superules Reserves march on to their second successive Grand Final with an empathic 28-point victory over old rivals Williamstown in the 1st Semi Final to set up a grand final date with Parkdale.
A 6-goal opening term gave the Lions the early momentum in a game which they never surrendered a lead despite the Seagulls challenging at various stages throughout the afternoon. Scott Ryan’s men stuck an early blow landing two quicks goals in succession before Williamstown got on the board. The midfield then took control both limiting Williamstown’s opportunities and creating plenty of chances for the Lions. Coburg finished the quarter with a handy 19-point lead. That dominance and pressure continued in the second term. Coburg restricted Williamstown’s attacking forays while extending their lead to 36-points at the main break. Noble was looming ominous at full forward, Kortlang and Bevis were looking dangerous around the forward line, while the likes of Turner, Frederickson and Bailey proved a handful in the middle for the Seagulls. At the interval Coach Scott Ryan reminded his chargers that there was a long way to go and that Williamstown would come. And they did kicking 3-goals and out-scoring Coburg in the third stanza. Ruckman Carlo Federico became a casualty and his afternoon ended after a concussion incident, as did skipper Clint Nichols who was yellow carded for high contact. The Seagulls had narrowed the margin to 32-points by the end of the 3rd quarter but Ritchie Collins was terrific across halfback repelling Williamstown’s attacks and minimising the damage. Williamstown charged out of the blocks in the final term and it was game on as they piled on 3-unanswered goals to put the Lions on the back foot however, Coburg then steadied and stemmed the flow, kicking 2-goals to put the match beyond Williamstown’s grasp. So it’s off to the big dance for the Lions in two weeks’ time at Casey Fields, Cranbourne in a showdown with Parkdale who thrashed an undermanned Marcellin by 97-points in the other Semi. The Reserves donned black armbands in honour of Heather Jenkins mother who passed last week. GOALS: M. Noble 4, O. Kortlang 3, A. Lewis 2, B. Kiely, K. O'Brien, B. Bevis BEST: P. Turner, S. Frederickson, M. Noble, K. O''Brien, R. Collins, B. Bevis |
That's it, we on our way, Mick Noble celebrates with Paul Turner and Brian Bevis.
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Round 10, Round Up, Reserves march on to the Finals
Monday, 12 August 2019
Round 10, 10-11 August 2019
Mixed emotions for Coburg after the final home and away round where there were some great highlights, comprehensive victories and some disappointment.
After the build-up during the week with Junior’s appearance on The Front Bar, the Women took on 2nd placed Darebin on Saturday, a fantastic moment as AFLW star Lauren Arnell lined up in a Coburg jumper and joined her mum on the field. This was after Loz had already completed a VFL match at Williamstown earlier in the day. The result didn’t go their way and they were beaten by 69-points but once again they enjoyed the outing and excitement of running out with champion of the game. Some disappointment post game as John Marshall declared he would not be staying on as coach citing personal reasons. We can give him a proper farewell at presentation night. On Sunday three great results at home with all teams picking up four points in the last round. The Supers didn’t start so well against Ascot Vale and found themselves behind at each of the breaks. They hung in and were never out of the contest and in a telling final term they booted 3-goals to secure a well deserves 9-point victory. The result of the Plenty Valley / Marcellin game had a bearing on the make of the final four however this match was abandoned due to poor weather and ground conditions. The Reserves were looking to secure second place on the ladder and to head into the finals with some momentum. It didn’t take them long as they kicked 6-unanswered goals in the first term to pull away from the Panthers. There was a lull in the second quarters before Coburg found their rhythm again and piled on another 5-goals to snuff out any chance of an Ascot Vale comeback. They ran out winners by 54-points. In the process Adam Lewis topped the goal kicking with 28-goals for the season with Shane Mahony coming in second with 21-goals. Despite finishing second, the Reserves play their semi-final against Williamstown in two weeks time at Crofts Reserve. The Over 45’s continued on their strong form crushing an undermanned Werribee by 100-points. It’s been 9 quarters of football since the 45’s conceded a goal which is an excellent defensive record to carry into finals. The Lions needed that victory and needed the right result between Williamstown and Diamond Valley. The Williamstown / Diamond Valley match was abandoned due to an unplayable surface at Shelley Park and will be replayed this coming Sunday. The 45’s will not know their finals fate until then. Coburg with superior percentage need Williamstown to win. Williamstown need to win to finish top and gain a home final while Diamond Valley need to win to retain 4th spot and play finals. The Over 50’s headed to Craigieburn and nearly came away with victory to end season on a high but despite leading at half time and giving their all in the last term they weren’t able to bridge the gap going by a narrow 4-point margin. That wraps up the home and away season. The Reserves march on to the finals. The Over 45’s await the result of next Sunday’s replay. |
Brenda and Lauren Arnell share a Mother-Daugther moment prior to the start of the match.
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Round 9 Round UpMonday, 29 July 2019
Round 9, 27-28 July 2019
On Saturday, the Over 35 Women nearly pinched their breakthrough victory in a thriller against Waverley.
Scoreless to half time they turned it on in the third quarter and closed gap however they couldn't find that elusive goal in the last term that would have seen them over the line in the end went down by 3-points. It was a big day Sunday as Channel 7's Front Bar filmed Brenda "Junior" Arnell doing a lap of honour at City Oval, this was closely followed by Paul Pitman's guard of honour in breaking the club games record. Pitman's Over 45's then got down to business chasing a spot in the finals. The dominated an undermanned Chirnside Park kicking 19-unanswered goals while keeping the Panther scoreless. The 126-point victory gave Coburg a vital percentage boost and was a fitting reward for Paul Pitman who kicked two goals of his own. The Reserves continued the trend holding Marcellin scoreless until midway through the second quarter while piling on 11-first half goals. This was capped of with an irresistible 9-goal second half with Mahony bagging 6-majors for the afternoon. Coburg had only conceded a solitary point in 8-quarters of football however that was about to change when Marcellin came ready to play in the Supers sniffing out a potential chance to make finals. In a forgettable performance the Lions allow the Bald Eagles to get on top in the last term and take the 4-points as well as Coburg's spot in the four. The Supers will need to throw everything at Ascot Vale next week and hope for some results to go their way to make finals. Anything is possible and Coburg have the ability to make this happen if they go in with positive intent in the final round. |
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Round 8 Round UpMonday, 15 July 2019
Round 8, 13-14 July 2019
The Women travelled to Werribee in search of their first win of the season and despite being ravaged with injury they came prepared to play.
Coburg were again strong defensively holding the Tigers at bay but they were unable to turn the attacking momentum into goals eventually going down by 12-points. You can sense a win on the horizon. Welcome back to Bec Brown in first match since mid-year 2018. The Over 50's struggled for numbers and against a slick South Yarra outfit. They tried hard but were no match for South who went on to win by 63-points. Celebrating Paul Pitman's club games record was the priority but Coburg were faced with playing Box Hill North for the second time at their ground, a ground that let's say is nothing more than a goat track and with the terrible wind and rain hard to ride their luck throughout. Box Hill North's aerial supremacy was evident but as the game wore on they were no match for Coburg at ground level and didn't have the same appetite for the contest. Despite being four goals down at half time, the Lions held the Demons goalless while landing four of their own in a gutsy 4-point win. John Haddad kicked a clutch goal with two minutes remaining to spark the celebrations for Paul Pitman's big milestone. The Reserves found themselves in a finals like hit out against the Vultures but took advantage of the wind and control the scoreboard to run out winners by 37-points and erase the defeat at the hands of Parkdale in round 3. Jared Willits played his 50th game for the club while Adam Lewis bagged 5-goals for the match to see him stretch the lead at the top of the Reserves goal kicking tally. A really strong performance by the Supers against the competition favourites and despite going down by 24-points they will feel capable of matching Parkdale come finals time. Still some work to do for the Supers but they are finding their form when it counts, the injury list starting to clear and with two homes games remaining they will be ready to make an assault on the finals. |
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