New-look Cobras seesigns of improvement

BACCHUS Marsh’s netballers can see light at the end of the tunnel, with a new coach and some handy recruits underpinning a renewed optimism in BFNL season 2025.

The young Cobras displayed plenty of encouraging signs in a six-goal opening round loss to Lake Wendouree, fuelling hopes of improvement and – at some point this season – an end to the club’s eight-year streak without a win.

They led by one-goal at quarter time, before the Lakers stamped some authority on the contest with a 10-6 second term.

Testament to their improved strength across the court, the Cobras pushed the Lakers throughout the second half, never letting them out of their sights.

Bacchus Marsh netball coordinator Jaimee Walsh viewed a bright first-up performance as a sign of better times ahead for the Cobras.

“The last couple of years we focused heavily on the culture and environment, and I think we have got a welcoming place that people are attracted to,” she said.

“We have been able to get a new coach and players across to the club, which has strengthened our teams across the board.”

Nichole Gleeson has returned to her home club to take on the coaching reins after spending the past two seasons as Melton’s coach.

Gleeson boasts a strong connection with the club, including her husband, who is a coach there.

“Nichole has had some girls follow her, who have played at Melton and Spotswood in the past,” Walsh said.

They include respected goal shooter Kim Phillips, wing defence Holly Keating – Melton’s vice-captain last season and the Cobras skipper this year – her sister Ally Keating, and defender Ella Logan.

Phillips ranked third in the BNFL in goal shooting last season with 490.

“Jasmine Paama is another exciting one. She is only 16 or 17 years old and new to the club,” Walsh said.

“She just came to trials when she saw we were advertising, and we were very excited by what we saw from her.

“She’s been working really well in the circle with Kim.”

While it was exciting to see the recruits take to the court for the first time in a match for premiership points, Walsh said the Cobras were equally focused on promoting and developing their promising juniors.

With an A-grade best and fairest to her name already, wing attack Clare Shankland will play a big part in a promising future for the Cobras.

While the A-grade win they have been craving did not materialise on the weekend, the Cobras were happy to see the fruits of much hard work in the off-season come together for the first time this season.

“All our grades have had the flow-on effects of A-grade struggling (in recent years), so to be competitive across all six games was impressive for us,” she said.

“The loss margins were much closer than they have been.

“There will be an A-grade win on the way – definitely.”

The Cobras will meet Redan in round two, with the Lions suiting up for the first time in 2025.

Their round one clash against Sunbury will be played on Good Friday.

In other round two games, impressive first round winner North Ballarat takes on East Point, reigning premiers Sunbury play Darley, Lake Wendouree hosts Melton, and Sebastopol clashes with Ballarat Swans, with both teams on the rebound from round one defeats.