Sport
5 June, 2024
Cobden comeback falls short
THE Cobden senior footballers fell short in an impressive comeback effort against the Eagles over the weekend.
North Warrnambool descended on Cobden Recreation Reserve on Saturday to race out to a 4.6.30 lead at the end of the first quarter while the home side could not get any points on the scoreboard.
“Our start was pretty poor,” coach Brody Mahoney said.
“We gave them a five-goal buffer which made it hard to catch up.”
While the Eagles continued their strong run in the second quarter, Cobden began to find form, notching up four majors to narrow the lead to just 19 at the half.
The Bombers remained in lockstep with North Warrnambool after the major break, bringing the score to within just 14 heading in to the final turn.
The pressure ramped up with a four-goal haul in the final quarter, and the Bombers even managed to get their hands on the lead briefly, but the comeback fell three points short at the final siren.
Final score was Cobden Bombers 10.4.64 defeated by North Warrnambool Eagles 9.13.67.
Despite the difficult nature of the loss, knowing one quarter of poor play had ultimately undone three quarters of good play, Mahoney said the team was in good spirits knowing their capability if they play consistent footy.
“We had three really strong quarters so there are heaps of positives to take out of the game,” he said.
“After we won our first three and dropped a couple of games we didn’t want to drop our messaging has just been to play to our strengths, taking the game on in free-flowing footy.
“It’s when we play our best and teams find it hard to stop our attack when we do that.
“Our skill errors have been letting us down and our turnovers have been in costly areas rather than not-so-dangerous spots but we are getting better each week, and you can’t fault the boys over the weekend with their pressure and their attack after that first quarter.”
Jack Hutt, Kurtis Baker, Tim Auckland, Christian Koroneos, Joshua Hickey and Arthur Armstrong were named best on ground for Cobden.
Armstrong and Brody Mahoney led the scoring with three goals apiece, while Baker added two and Henry Robertson added one.
“There were quite a few blokes who played well, Jack Hutt in his 100th played a fantastic game,” Mahoney said.
“He took a heap of marks down the back and is always a very good user and decision marker, especially in the last quarter when it got a bit hot and the ball was coming in a lot more often – he seemed to mark every second one.
“Benny Berry played a really good game and Tim Auckland did too.
“They were quite a few who stood up and played well after quarter time.”
Next Saturday the Bombers will remain on home soil, with the Terang Mortlake Bloods coming to town at 2pm.
“They play a similar game to us,” Mahoney said.
“They know that, we know that, so we want to start well and we want to continue what we accomplished in the last three quarters of the North Warrnambool game.
“It’s a huge game for both teams, we’re both sitting on 4-4, so we’re really playing for a top five spot at the half way mark of the year.
“They’ve lost a couple they didn’t want to lose just like we have, which has put some pressure on our back half of the year, so this week is a big game for both clubs.”
Terang Mortlake sits one spot above the Bombers on the ladder, at fifth and sixth respectively, and a win could push the Bombers as high as fourth.
The reserves had better luck against the Eagles over the weekend, running out 10.9.69 winners over North Warrnambool 5.5.35.
Best on ground for the reserves were Joe Hutt, Tom Mahony, Joshua Worboys, Matt Clarke and Luke Hickey.
Worboys was on target with the boot, slotting home four to lead the scoring.
Blake Mottram and Nicolas Kemp each added two, while Brady Green and Thomas Spokes rounded out the scoring with one.
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