Cobras upstage reigning premiers in derby

BACCHUS Marsh senior women’s coach Alan Johnson says the most exciting aspect of his side’s nine-point win over reigning premier Darley is that there is still plenty of room from improvement.

“We had some of our good players down today and they were disappointed,” Johnson said post-match.

“But as I said to them, as long as we are all working as a group and are putting our effort in, that’s what it’s about.

“Everyone contributed at different stages and we didn’t rely on one player in particular or even a few.

“That’s the key to football – trying to get everyone to play their part.

“Having that room for improvement is a great thing.”

The Cobras, who will face another tough test this Saturday night under lights at Maddingley Park against Redan, came from a goal down at half-time against the Devils, unleashing a stirring five-goal-to-two third quarter at Darley Park to take a 14-point lead into the final term.

Despite not adding to their three-quarter-time score, the Cobras defended grimly, restricting the competition benchmark to five behinds in the final term to cap a gutsy win.

A crucial victory has the Cobras in third place on the ladder, but equal on three wins and one loss with league leaders Redan, Darley and East Point in fourth place, with newcomers Ballarat breathing down that quartet’s necks a 2-2 following a big win over Carisbrook on Sunday.

Johnson had no hesitation on declaring the Cobras as still a work in progress.

“We have some girls still negotiating their first ever year of footy, but pleasingly, while they are still learning the game, they are contributing and the other girls are excited about having them here,” he said.

“They just want to play footy and it’s creating a bit of buzz around the place.

“It was a tough slog (against Darley).

“I thought we started well, but Darley fought their way back into it in the second quarter and made it tough for us.

“But the third quarter was great; the girls really went hard and had a great crack at it and put some things into place that I asked them to do.

“We changed a few things around and they really combined well.

“The last quarter was a dog-fight – a really tough contest. To their credit, both sides had a real crack at it.”

Fortunately, the senior contest avoided the rain that marred the under-16 and under-19 games earlier in the day.

Skipper Amy Garofalo led from the front for the Cobras with four goals, while Mel Freeman, Ella Bradbury, Charli O’Connor, Kavalyn Raverty, Remy Day and Jazmine Dalli were strong contributors.

The Devils, who were coming off an exciting win over Redan, were best served by Sarah Tabone, Trinity Skenderis, Charlotte Hill, Sharni Battye, Ruby Thomas and Natalie Wilks, while Kim Bessell was the only multiple goalkicker with two.

Johnson said his side would take plenty of confidence out of the win and would relish another massive challenge against Redan

Missing against Darley, Erin Keenan and Vivian Lam will be a chance to return from injury this weekend.

Elsewhere, East Point set up an intriguing round 6 clash against Ballarat with a 97-point win over Lake Wendouree at C.E. Brown Reserve.

Abbey Bertram, Vanessa Jones, Jessica Robertson, Anna van Rooden, Gemma Foord and Millie Stewart all played key roles for the Dragons, while Emily Sculley (four) and Georgia Joynson (three) led the way on the scoreboard.

At Carisbrook, Ballarat backed up its impressive first senior win over Lake Wendouree the previous week with a 97-point win over the Redbacks.

Chloe Everett starred for the Swans, who got other big contributions from captain Shellby Lonie, Sunday Doddrell, Pearl Perkins, Charley Gartlan, Penny Lightfoot and Remy Callender with four goals.

Charlotte Cain, Sherriden Byrne, Danae Every, Chelcee Whittingslow, Jazmin Wintle-Burton and Zeann Cassells were the pick of the Redbacks.

Round 6: Bacchus Marsh v Redan (5pm Saturday); Darley v Lake Wendouree (5pm Saturday); East Point v Ballarat (12.45pm Sunday).