Coburg coach, Tim Clarke, provides his exclusive summary of how the Richmond-listed players performed at VFL level in last Saturday’s victory over Essendon.

Liam McBean

His best game of the year.  Provided the team with a really good option up forward.  Kicked four goals and took several contested marks.  His work-rate at ground level continues to be a strength. 

Matt Arnot

Was a valuable contributor on a wing and through the midfield.  Picked up around 20 possessions in the three quarters he played, with a good mix of contested and uncontested ball.  Also kicked a couple of important goals.

Sam Lonergan

Came on after quarter-time and had an instant impact, picking up several contested possessions.  Was really solid through the middle, before becoming a bit restricted when he copped a corked thigh.

Ben Griffiths

Made the move forward and started impressively with an early goal.  Led well throughout, but struggled to have an impact on the game.

Tom Derickx

His best game for the year.  Presented really well, taking several contested marks.  Proved a strong option through the middle of the ground and up forward. 

Orren Stephenson

Another outstanding performance.  Played a major role in the team’s dominant second-quarter display into the wind, with his strong ruckwork.  Again ran hard from the stoppages and was a better option up forward this match, with a couple of shots for goal.

Kamdyn McIntosh

Played a good role across half-back.  Continues to find the ball and beat his opponent in the one-on-one contests.  Will look to play him through wing at some stage in the next couple of weeks.

Ben Darrou

Had the challenging task of playing on Essendon’s top key-forward prospect, Joe Daniher.  Was very good for most of the day, keeping him to just one goal in the first three quarters, but was beaten in a few contests late.  A good learning curve for him.

David Astbury

Another player who produced his best game for the year.  Was really solid across half-back, cutting off a lot of Essendon’s forward transitions, and was very composed with the ball. 

Todd Elton

Was moved to the backline and played his role well.  Took a few chop-out marks and produced a couple of good defensive spoils.  Is continuing to work on the defensive side of his game.

Jake Batchelor

Played across half-back and provided some good run-and-carry out of defence.   Also got involved with a few important chop-out marks. 

Matt Dea

Provided great run-and-carry again off half-back.  Played a really good role on a talented opponent in Cory Dell’Olio for three quarters, but was beaten a couple of times in final-quarter contests.

Robin Nahas

Had a great game, with plenty of quality, centre-forward football.   His run-and-carry was back, and he hit the scoreboard, kicking four goals.  Defensive pressure also was good.

Shane Tuck

Was one of the best players on the ground.  Won plenty of contested football, surging the ball from contests, and applied considerable pressure to the opposition, with 10 tackles.  Contested marking also was a highlight of his game.

Aaron Edwards

Had an outstanding game.  Led hard all day and marked the ball much better in this match, finishing with a highly-impressive 17 marks.  Was a bit wayward in front of goal, but still contributed well on the scoreboard with two goals.

Nathan Foley

Continued his good form on the comeback trail from an Achilles injury, playing a full four quarters.   Won plenty of contested football and showed some impressive run-and-carry.  Kicked well, to the team’s advantage, inside-50.  Is very close to AFL selection.

Steve Verrier

Played a negating role on an experienced opponent in Nathan Lovett-Murray and restricted his influence on the game.  Had more of the ball than in previous weeks and kicked a great goal in the first quarter.

Gideon Simon

Played in Coburg’s reserves on Sunday.   Was very lively across half-forward with his pressure on the ball and opponent.  Had several shots for goal and helped set up a couple.

Match details

Coburg                 5.3          11.5        18.10     19.11  (125)

Essendon            0.5          4.7          7.9          13.13  (91)

Goals – Coburg:  McBean 4, Nahas 4, Arnot 2, Edwards 2, Lonergan, Derickx, Tuck, Verrier, Griffiths, Abdallah, Maric.

Best – Coburg:  Edwards, Tuck, Stephenson, Nahas, Foley, Verrier, Maric.