From The Age
Reported by Brent Diamond
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RICHMOND defender David Gourdis's best-on-ground performance in shutting down Brendan Fevola helped the Coburg Tigers to an upset 10-point win over the Scorpions at Casey Fields yesterday.
Gourdis gave the Tigers hierarchy plenty of highlights with rampant spoils and rebounds from defence, restricting Fevola to just one goal as the Tigers fought back to win 9.18 (72) to 8.14 (62).
It was only Coburg's second win for the season and the shock result has given rookie coach Adam Potter hope that they can go on with it.
"Casey are a top-four side at the minute and to get them out here will hopefully give us some confidence heading into the second half of the season," he said.
Gourdis had 22 disposals and Potter said he was ''really pleased with his defensive game".
Coburg's Jamie O'Reilly shut down Melbourne's Matthew Bate, while Shane Tuck and Sam Power (both with 31 possessions) were brilliant in the clearances as the Tigers turned around a four-point deficit at the last change.
Potter also praised ruckman Angus Graham and onballer Willie Wheeler, who snared three goals from 25 disposals through the midfield. Wheeler was the most dangerous forward in the game.
Essendon midfielder Kyle Reimers was stretchered off with what appeared a serious neck injury during the first quarter against the Box Hill Hawks at Windy Hill.
Astonishingly, Reimers returned in the second quarter to play an outstanding role in the Bombers' 73-point win but he was seen to clutch his neck in the final term and will be assessed during the week.
Out-of-favour forward Mark Williams played his best game of the season with three goals, including two important majors in the third term when the match was won in 10 minutes.
The Hawks trailed by just eight points mid-way through the third term but that margin exploded to 34 points at the last change with Scott Gumbleton, on return from a hamstring injury, playing a part in two goals and finishing with three.
Youngster Ariel Steinberg was the top goalscorer with five, while Jay Neagle was the Bombers' best because of his brilliant work at stoppages around the ground.
