Cobras to clash with top of the ladder Lions

BACCHUS Marsh coach Nichole Gleeson says she is ultra-pleased with her side’s progress this season, but knows there are still plenty of big challenges ahead in their bid to play BFNL A-grade finals this season.

The resurgent Cobras moved into fifth position on the ladder with a 51-19 victory over Sebastopol before the King’s Birthday long weekend break, giving them five wins from their first eight games.

Their path into fifth spot was aided by Darley’s win over North Ballarat, which dropped the Roosters into sixth spot.

The move could prove temporary, with the Cobras set to clash with top of the ladder Sunbury this Saturday, while North Ballarat (5-3) takes on ninth-placed Sebastopol (1-7).

It’s the start of a tough patch of five games for Bacchus Marsh that also includes Redan, currently fourth on the ladder), Lake Wendouree (third), North Ballarat and Darley (second.

In what amounts to a five-week mini finals series, Gleeson is eager to see the Cobras build on their good early season gains.

“We are definitely moving at a faster pace than we thought we would have done, but I’m pretty pleased with the girls,” she said.

“We’ve got a few tough games coming up, including Sunbury, and we all know what to expect there. They’re the benchmark.

“Credit to them, they’re a great team. It will be interesting to see how we go.

“But we have a few more tough games coming up, ones we didn’t win the first time around.

“It will be an interesting few weeks as we are plodding along quite nicely and our team is pretty settled.”

Gleeson insisted the Cobras would embrace their challenging fixture, starting with the top of the ladder Lions.

“It will give us a good benchmark and it will certainly test our players,” she said.

“And it will no doubt be a tough hit out, which we’ve been getting every week anyway. There are no games easy in this league – you have to be on your game for four quarters.”

Eliza Moodie and Ella Logan will have the task of curbing the brilliance and force of Sunbury goal shooter Rebecca Hicks, who is coming off a 104-goal effort against Melton and is averaging 68.5 goals per game at 92 per cent accuracy.

Gleeson said the pair would relish rather than fear the challenge.

“Credit to Becca, she is phenomenal – an amazing player,” she said.

“It will be a nice test to play against such a strong holding shooter, but it’s great experience for our defenders.

“We’ve certainly got options we can use and we won’t be afraid to use them.

“The girls play against her on Friday nights, so it’s something for us to look forward to.”

Injured in the first half of the club’s round five loss to North Ballarat, young centre Ally Keating is expected to make her return for the Cobras.

While the they have built themselves a solid platform on which to build, after years of going without a win, the Cobras and their coach are looking forward rather than back.

Gleeson is excited by what the second half of the season will bring.

“With the connection in our side, it’s difficult to give a 3-2-1 at each game,” she said.

“All seven of the girls, who get on the court, are performing at the best quality I could ask for as a coach.

“It’s hard to say anyone stands out. They are there for each other and their team. It’s a credit to the girls.”

In other round nine games, Ballarat will chase its first win of the season against Melton; Darley hosts east Point, while third meets fourth when Lake Wendouree and Redan at CE Brown Reserve.