By JARROD POTTER
VICTORIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
REVIEW – ROUND 7
“THEN you’ll hear those Lions roar because Coburg boys are we!”
Sitting in the grandstand after a lacklustre second-half collapse – adding up to an eight-point loss – the Casey Scorpions were left to listen on as Coburg belted out the song for the first time at home this season.
The report card for the Scorpions will feature a lot of failing marks.
The reality was simple – full time footballers, 13 from Melbourne Football Club total, couldn’t beat the part time Lions.
After building a comfortable lead part way through the second term, Casey thought the match was theirs already and took the foot off the throttle.
Coburg had different ideas as the Lions kicked six unanswered goals in a purple patch across the second and third terms to edge ahead 57-52, with the last of the series coming from captain Nick Carnell.
Casey coach Rohan Welsh was left once again to tell hard truths to a group of senior footballers, most of which are professionals in this given sport.
His interrogation of the group at the final change proved insightful considering the final result – an eight-point loss to a side most regard as easy beats.
“It was a test of our character,” Welsh said.
“I questioned that at three-quarter-time and I was right.
“I didn’t think they had it in them to fight and clearly they played a team that showed them how to play.”
The final quarter started promisingly enough for Casey as Jack Fitzpatrick put the side ahead before the Lions’ roared into life.
Stupid mistakes across half-back – including a poorly placed switch from Luke Tapscott that Errol McConnell turned into a running, bouncing goal – were eagerly lapped up as Coburg took the game to the rousing applause of the small but loyal Coburg fans.
Welsh wasn’t thrilled with his midfielders resting instead of running and it summed up the dog day.
“Half of these blokes are meant to be AFL players,” Welsh said.
“Georgiou had six goals kicked on him and gave away probably another two and there were only 12 goals kicked in the game so you work that out.
“There were too many guys in the team that don’t know how to play the game – you can’t play the game and you can’t play your role you can put as much structure in place as you want but at the end of the day they’ve got to be able to play the game.”
Second gamer Patrick Rosier impressed with his tenacious attack at the ball and alongside young Garfield prodigy Eddie Morris, with both earning their place in next week’s team all things being fair.
Welsh also thought Fitzpatrick was strong in the ruck, captain Evan Panozza continued to show his true colours amid the group and Jordie McKenzie worked hard for his 35 touches.
Casey will get a bye before the state representative match – giving the Scorpions plenty of time to regroup before clashing with Collingwood at home on Saturday 7 June.
VFL SCOREBOARD
COBURG 2.0 6.2 9.3 11.8 (74)
CASEY SCORPIONS 4.6 7.9 8.10 9.12 (66)
Coburg
Goals: L. Featherstone 4, A. Christensen 2, J. Anderson 2, N. Robertella, E. McConnell, N. Carnell. Best: L. Featherstone, N. Linton, E. McConnell, N. Blair, A. Sturgess, A. Christensen.
Casey Scorpions
Goals: M. Evans 2, J. Best, J. Fitzpatrick, D. Barry, D. Kent, D. Nicholson, P. Rosier, T. Smith. Best: V. Michie, M. Evans, J. Fitzpatrick, L. Tapscott, D. Nicholson, D. Kent.
