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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Their path into fifth spot was aided by Darley’s win over North Ballarat, which dropped the Roosters into sixth spot.<\/p>\n
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).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
In what amounts to a five-week mini finals series, Gleeson is eager to see the Cobras build on their good early season gains.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“We’ve got a few tough games coming up, including Sunbury, and we all know what to expect there. They’re the benchmark.<\/p>\n
“Credit to them, they’re a great team. It will be interesting to see how we go.<\/p>\n
“But we have a few more tough games coming up, ones we didn’t win the first time around.<\/p>\n
“It will be an interesting few weeks as we are plodding along quite nicely and our team is pretty settled.”<\/p>\n
Gleeson insisted the Cobras would embrace their challenging fixture, starting with the top of the ladder Lions.<\/p>\n
“It will give us a good benchmark and it will certainly test our players,” she said.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Gleeson said the pair would relish rather than fear the challenge.<\/p>\n
“Credit to Becca, she is phenomenal \u2013 an amazing player,” she said.<\/p>\n
“It will be a nice test to play against such a strong holding shooter, but it’s great experience for our defenders.<\/p>\n
“We’ve certainly got options we can use and we won’t be afraid to use them.<\/p>\n
“The girls play against her on Friday nights, so it’s something for us to look forward to.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Gleeson is excited by what the second half of the season will bring.<\/p>\n
“With the connection in our side, it’s difficult to give a 3-2-1 at each game,” she said.<\/p>\n
“All seven of the girls, who get on the court, are performing at the best quality I could ask for as a coach.<\/p>\n
“It’s hard to say anyone stands out. They are there for each other and their team. It’s a credit to the girls.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n