THE Bendigo Bank Bombers’ midfield and defence was torn apart by the Coburg Tigers in Saturday’s VFL clash at the Queen Elizabeth Oval.In the final match of the home and away series, it was Coburg that dominated most of the contest against the seventh-placed Bombers, winning 17.17 (119) to 9.8 (62).Just as it was a week earlier, the third quarter was to prove costly for a Bendigo team strengthened by the return of Ricky Dyson, Sam Lonergan and Scott Gumbleton.Down by 28 points at the start of the third term, the Bombers started well when Tory Dickson goaled on the run by the 30-second mark and Ariel Steinberg intercepted a Tigers’ pass and goaled to make it 62-47 in the fourth minute.But Coburg had all the answers and took control, with the pacy and skilful Willie Wheeler and Ben Nason upping the ante.Coburg’s workrate lifted dramatically as the Tigers won the centre breaks and continually pumped the ball into attack.Goals to Rowan Hore, Sam Power, Luke Cartelli, Rhett Jordon (two) and Damien Rayson gave the Tigers a 55-point lead approaching their final quarter of the season.Coburg’s seventh unanswered goal was booted by Hore after he won another marking duel. The Tigers’ run was finally broken when Bombers’ ruckman Tom Bellchambers marked and goaled.It had been 49-3 in Coburg’s favour since early in the third term.Bendigo’s fourth goal of the second half was kicked by Henry Slattery, but the Tigers replied on their way to beating the red and black for the second time this season.One of the best battles of the match was in the ruck where Bellchambers took on former Bendigo Pioneer and Kangaroo Flat player, Hamish Dahl.Despite Bellchambers’ greater experience at AFL level, Dahl competed well at the centre bounces and around the ground. In the first half, Bendigo’s goals were kicked by Taite Silverlock, Jacob Thompson, Josh Jenkins, Steven Stroobants and Henry Slattery.A highlight for the Tigers was Dahl marking at half-forward and dishing off to Rayson to goal on the run in the third quarter.Bombers coach Shannon Grant was bitterly disapp-ointed with his team.“Our attitude was poor, yet again,” said Grant.“It wasn’t just the third quarter where we played poorly, but from the start of the match.“We just didn’t have enough players prepared to compete, work hard and get in and win the football.”He said changes would be made for Sunday’s elimination final against the Northern Bullants at TEAC Oval in Port Melbourne.Leading goalkicker Matt Little is in doubt after injuring his lower leg in the second quarter.Among the inclusions for next Sunday will be co-captain Ben Duscher who was on the sidelines for Saturday’s clash after a bout of gastro.Grant said the Bombers’ desperation was nowhere near as high as Coburg’s.“Again we left too much to too few. We have to find more players prepared to compete, not for just a quarter, but the whole match,” he said.“We have played some really good football to be in the position we are in, seventh and a 9-9 record. A new season starts now.”