The Bendigo Bombers have suffered their second loss in as many weeks, going down by 15-points to the Coburg Tigers at Windy Hill today.

Bendigo led Coburg - who had won only one other match this year - for the first three quarters of the match by a narrow margin.
 
 
However, the Bombers were upset in the final quarter when they kicked only one goal and a wasteful eight behinds and were overcome by Coburg, who kicked five goals to finish 13.12 (90) to Bendigo's 10.15 (75). 

Essendon-listed players Michael Quinn and Kyle Reimers led the goal-kicking effort, kicking three and two goals respectively.
 
Following an injury to David Hile today in Sydney, emerging ruckman Thomas Bellchambers put his name firmly up for selection with his second consecutive best-on-ground perfomance.
 
While the loss was disappointing, there was good news Essendon with Henry Slattery making his return from injury while Ricky Dyson was one of the best players.
 
 
SCORES:
Bendigo Bombers: 5.3  7.3  9.7  10.15 (75)
Coburg Tigers: 2.3  5.6  8.10  13.12 (90)

GOALS:
Bendigo Bombers: Quinn 3, Reimers 2, Crameri, Neagle, Houli, Scanlon, Silverlock 
Coburg Tigers: Hicks 3, Post 2, Carnell 2, Piuselli 2, Clifton, Taylor, Roberts, Polak 

BEST:
Bendigo Bombers: Bellchambers, Dyson, H.Slattery, Quinn, Marigliani, Flaherty
Coburg Tigers: Polak, O'Rielly, Rance, Piuselli, Power, McMahon 
 

THE Bendigo Bank Bombers yesterday suffered their second consecutive loss of the VFL season after going down to the lowly Coburg Tigers at Windy Hill.

The Tigers had won just one of their first seven games, while the Bombers went into yesterday’s clash with a 5-2 record.

However, Coburg upstaged Bendigo to win by 15 points, 13.12 (90) to 10.15 (75).

Yesterday’s loss means the Bombers have been beaten in both their games since coach Shannon Grant was handed a two-match suspenion by the club after he was arrested for drunkenness in the early hours of May 23.

The Bombers last week lost to the Casey Scorpions by six points in the first week of Grant’s suspension.

The Bombers were yesterday coached by the non-playing Hayden Skipworth.

Bendigo made a promising start to the game, leading by 18 points at quarter-time, 5.3 to 2.3.

The Bombers’ lead crept out to nine points at half-time, before the Tigers drew within three points at three quarter-time.

Bendigo led 9.7 to 8.10 entering the last term.

However, while strong finishes to games have been a trait of the Bombers this season, it wasn’t the case yesterday.

With the game in the balance, the Tigers kicked away in the last term to beat Bendigo for the fifth straight time.

But as was the case the previous week against the Scorpions, the Bombers wasted opportunities in front of goal in the last term.

The Bombers kicked a wasteful 1.8 in the final term, while the Tigers booted 5.2.

A week earlier against the Scorpions the Bombers kicked 2.7 in the last quarter, which cost them the game.

Yesterday’s defeat leaves the Bombers with a 5-3 record, and they have dropped from fifth to sixth as the halfway mark of the season approaches.

Bendigo had just two multiple goalkickers - Irishman Michael Quinn (three) and Kyle Reimers (two).

Among the best for the Bombers were ruckman Tom Bellchambers, Ricky Dyson, Quinn, Henry Slattery, the returning Marcus Marigliani and captain James Flaherty.

Coburg’s best player was Graham Polak.

The Tigers side included former Kangaroo Flat and Golden Square ruckman Hamish Dahl.

The Bombers’ season continues next Sunday when they take on the Box Hill Hawks at the Box Hill City Oval.

Grant will return to his match-day coaching duties, with his suspension now over.

Box Hill will also be on the rebound from defeat after losing to the Casey Scorpions by 14 points on Saturday at Casey Fields.

In another upset yesterday, Geelong won its second game of the season by defeating top-of-the-ladder North Ballarat by nine points at Eureka Stadium in Ballarat.
 

Member news: All 3 game members can collect their Essendon scarf at the 'merchandise' marquee on the footbridge between Southern Cross Station and Etihad Stadium this Saturday night between 5pm and 7.30pm.

 
Members who can’t make it to the match this week, can collect their scarf from Client Services at Windy Hill.