Toothless Tigers

[baktiger]

Another of Lance Jenkinson's articles in a local Coburg
paper... they are getting shorter and more terse. Is
it disgust? Or perhaps it's because his contact Michael
Roberts (ex Manager) has just left the club?

Toothless Tigers
by Lance Jenkinson - Moreland Community News.

THE season continues to go from bad to worse for
Victorian Football League strugglers the Coburg Tigers
after they lost their 10th match of the season.

This time, Geelong dished out a 43-point hammering to
the toothless Tigers who showed little.

Tigers coach Paul Spargo can start working towards
season 2004 while hoping his club escapes the wooden
spoon.

Richmond-listed players Rory Hilton(three) and Royce
Vardy(two) were they only multiple goalscorers as
Geelong led at every break to run out convincing winners.

On Saturday, Coburg hosts an important battle with
last placed North Ballarat in a match which could
determine who finishes the season at the bottom of
the heap.

 

[baktiger]

I've been interstate and haven't made it to a Coburg game for a while. What's the story?
Do they play with pride and passion or is morale rock bottom?
Are they miles off the pace or a bit unlucky?
Do the players have faith in the coach?
Is the list just not good enough?
There must be some explanation why they have gone from almost being grand finalists to potential wooden spooners in one season.

Many reasons.

There was off field controversy (the President
and vice pres resigned before the first match of the season).

Injury. Several players out for lengthy periods.

Richmond's short list and Injuries. Means that Coburg have
a lower quality and less of AFL "standard" players. Coburg
had people like Hudson and Poyas who would kick 3 or 4 goals
each last year. (I'm not saying they are "good AFL standard"
but they certainly contributed to Coburg at least). There
are still valuable contributions from other Richmond players
of course (Hyde, Schulz, McGrath (who's been out for a bit)
Dragga etc)

List changes. Coburg lost a couple of good VFL players..
(eg Ednie)

Coach. A new one - that is 'part time' - last years coach
was a full time Coburg Coach, this year, he's a Richmond
assistant coach as well - employed by Richmond. Last years
coach was VFL coach of the year, this years coach is in his
first VFL season.
Style is completly different.

Mystical game plan... Stuffed if I know what's going on
half the time...(but that just may be me )

Is it just me, or are they all a bit slower this season?
This year, we have several ex-Richmond listed players that
stayed on as Coburg players. When they were at Richmond,
I'd guess they'd train a bit more intensly than just being
with Coburg? Dunno.

They have been "close" in a couple of games - only to allow
a "blowout" quarter to occur and undo any chance of winning
a game. These are really bad. Nearly *everyone* seems to
go missing for a whole quarter.

Overall, they've been well off the mark.