LOOKING to go one better after their thrilling win against the Cats, the Carlton Reserves were overpowered by the Coburg Lions at Barry Plant Park.

Proving a tight contest until the final term, the home side - with the aid of a heavy breeze in the final term - overcame the Blues, who went down 15.10 (100) to 11.12 (78).

It was a contested start to the game, with the two sides sharing a goal each inside the first three minutes, with Marc Pittonet (five first-term disposals) kicking the first for the Blues after an inside-50 entry from Luke Nelson.

But on a big day for Coburg, the home side came out roaring, recording four goals inside the first 10 minutes during a quarter where Carlton had the advantage of the breeze at its back.

Francis Evans (five disposals) fought hard early while Ethan Phillips (six disposals) held strong in defence, with the Blues responding after the Lions pressed early.

Hudson O’Keeffe continued his goalkicking streak, taking a huge mark on the goal line to kick his first and give the Blues their second – but inaccuracy plagued the Blues in a term where they should’ve nailed home their advantage, only mustering 2.7 to trail by eight points at the first change.

Looking to make advantage of the conditions, Coburg again came out steaming to start the second, however the Reserves were quick to respond. After looking increasingly threatening, O’Keeffe kicked his second with a snapping finish from a tight set shot.

Despite being under the pump for majority of the term, Harry O’Farrell played a crucial role in defence after his match-winning goal last week.

Jordan Boyd also started to find plenty of the footy, leading the disposals in the first half, while Jaxon Binns also started to get busy, using his wheels on the outside and providing a lively option throughout the second term.

A searing ball from Billy Wilson (seven disposals) kick found O’Keeffe inside 50, who converted with a set shot directly in front to kick his third of the half.

Phillips (13 disposals) continued to build on his strong first term, with Lucas Camporeale (11 disposals) also providing some dash from the wing.

In a back-and-forth quarter, the game was stagnant until a crucial intercept from Evans set up Liam McMahon, who converted to kick his first of the game.

But a late goal conceded was costly for the Blues, as the home side capitalised kicking with the wind to establish a three-goal lead.

Kicking off the third, a clever handball from Evans gave Darcy Hogg space inside 50, with the youngster converted with a composed finish under pressure to give the Blues the perfect start.

Former Coburg player Luke Nelson had an exciting start to the term, registering eight disposals and a classy goal to give the Blues the lead, while co-captain McMahon provided another answering goal on the stroke of three-quarter time to establish a narrow five-point lead into the final change.

However, with the majority of goals kicked to the end the Blues were defending in the final term, the Reserves were going to have their work cut out for them.

The Lions quickly kicked back-to-back goals to start the final term to create some breathing room, but a classy chain of linking handballs ended in a goal to Ollie Poole breathed some life back into the Blues.

Pittonet (16 disposals, nine clearances, 34 hitouts) was commanding in the middle and continued to lead from the front, while backmen Boyd and Phillips (25 disposals each) showed plenty of fight under consistent fire.

Coburg started to kick away, before Jaxon Binns finished following a clever crumb from a forward stoppage to keep the game alive and get the Blues back within two kicks.

However, despite consecutive goals, the Blues continued to press for the game which allowed more opportunities for the Lions, who kicked a pair of late goals to seal the 22-point result.

Down by three goals with not long to go, Jaxon Binns (28 disposals) finished following a clever crumb from an inside 50 stoppage to keep the pulse alive and put the Reserves back within two kicks.

The Carlton Reserves will take on Sandringham next Saturday 10 May at 7:10pm at IKON Park: the game will be broadcast on Channel 7.

COBURG                           4.3      8.6     9.6       15.10 (100) 
CARLTON RESERVES       2.7      5.7      9.11     11.12 (78) 

GOALS 
Carlton: McMahon 3, O’Keeffe 3, Binns, Hogg, Nelson, Pittonet, Poole

BEST
Carlton: Evans, O’Keeffe, Binns, Phillips, Pittonet, Boyd