South too strong in Pekin milestone match

COBDEN has started the 2025 season with a 36-point loss to reigning premiers South Warrnambool at Friendly Societies Park.

By wd-news

South too strong in Pekin milestone match - feature photo

Co-captain Paul Pekin led the team through the banner in celebration of his 150th senior match for the club.

After unfurling their 2024 flag, the home team dominated early, kicking four behinds before Sam Lenehan kicked the Roosters’ first major.

A late quarter goal to Flynn Wilkinson gave South Warrnambool a 15 point lead at quarter time, 2-4-16 to Cobden’s solitary behind.

New recruit Matty Drayton, a former best and fairest winner at Simpson, kicked the first goal of the second quarter from a set shot 40 metres out directly in front to cut the lead to nine points.

That was as close as the Bombers got as South Warrnambool dominated the term, kicking four unanswered goals to head into the main break with a 39 point lead.

The Bombers came out fired up in the third quarter, full forward Michael Koroneos kicking two early goals as Cobden started to get the game back on their terms.

Drayton snagged a second goal, looking comfortable in his step up to the Hampden League, then Henry Robertson kicked a goal in time on to reduce the lead to 12 points at three quarter time (South Warrnambool scoreless in that third term).

But that was where Cobden’s resurgence ended, the home team completely dominating the final quarter, kicking three goals six behinds while keeping the Bombers scoreless to run out winners 9-16-70 to 5-4-34.

In his milestone game, Paul Pekin was named as Cobden’s best.

In the earlier games, Cobden reserves were thumped to the tune of 109 points, while in the under 18’s it was heartbreak for the Bombers as a goal after the siren gave South Warrnambool a five point win.