Coburg pockets four points after successful business trip to Brisbane

Fly in, fly out, no worries. Coburg’s trip to Brisbane nets a critical four points as a AFL mid-season draft hope reminds recruiters of his potential.

Marcus Lentini, Josh D’Intinosante and Jacob Ballard celebrate a goal.

It was mission accomplished for Coburg after its trip to Brisbane delivered four points on Sunday night.

The Lions flew to Queensland on Saturday afternoon and were back in Victoria 24 hours later with a hard-fought 18-point win in the bag.

A dominant second quarter set up the 9.19 (73) to 8.7 (55) victory, played in torrential rain at South Pine Sports Complex.

After a season-opening loss to Frankston and Round 2 bye, it was a critical result to kick-start Coburg’s VFL season.

“It’s pretty unique (flying interstate) but it was seamless to be honest,” Lions coach Andrew Sturgess said.

Sam Lowson celebrates a goal. Picture: Darrian Traynor

Aaron Clarke celebrates a goal. Picture: Darrian Traynor

Tom McKenzie in action for Coburg against Frankston. Picture: Darrian Traynor

“Chatting to some of our players, anytime a semi-professional athlete gets to live the life of a professional athlete it’s exciting.

“When we got up there it was pretty horrendous, it was genuine wet-weather footy, but our guys adapted really well and grinded out the win.

“The recent history of our club, not getting many wins in a season and particularly early on, that eats into your belief – so the fact we could get a win within the first two games will give us plenty of confidence.”

Marcus Lentini did his AFL mid-season draft hopes no harm with a game-high 42 disposals and seven tackles, while off-season recruit Charlie Thompson collected 31 possessions, six tackles and a goal.

Despite the difficult conditions, nine Coburg players had 20 disposals or more.

Luke Nelson, Aaron Clarke and Sam Lowson all booted two goals.

Sturgess believed Lentini had shown more than enough to be given a chance on an AFL list.

“I don’t know what more he needs to do for an AFL recruiters to say he’s worthy of having a look at and getting a crack on an AFL list,” he said.

Marcus Lentini in action for Coburg.

It’s been a minute ⏳
But how good does it feel to hear this song belted out again 😍🦁#WeAreCoburgpic.twitter.com/RuywxwxGQF

— Coburg Football Club (@CoburgFC) May 2, 2021

“If you look at guys that have gone from VFL to AFL – Gibbons, Saad, Barlow, Mitchell – the biggest question Marcus is often asked is what’s your X-factor, well I’d say it he gets the football more than anyone else.

“Players like that that have a natural ball-winning ability and football brain are able to make the jump to the next level much easier.”

The performance backs up his 40 touches, five tackles and a goal in Round 1.

Meanwhile, Thompson has made an instant impact at Piranha Park after crossing from Richmond’s VFL program.

The former Oakleigh Chargers midfielder was arguably the Lions’ best trainer in pre-season and has carried that form into the season proper.

“He’s a 21-year-old with a 35-year-old’s head on his shoulders,” Sturgess said.

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“He’s really professional, prepares really well, loves footy, I was stuck on the plane to and from and all he wanted to do was talk footy.

“It’s not surprise from our end – he’s not as higher profile as some of our recruits – but the way he’s gone about it, he’s one to keep an eye on.”

Former Sydney AFL-listed ruckman Kyle Galloway made his club debut as did Box Hill recruit Nathan Boucher with both playing key roles.

Coburg now faces a six-day break before a Round 4 date with Collingwood.

Originally published as Coburg pockets four points after successful business trip to Brisbane