![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/05\/DSC_0068_06095.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Armfield insists the Cobras have produced only the one really poor performance all season, that being their loss to North Ballarat.<\/p>\n
Identified as a priority before the season, Armfield has been impressed by the tightening of the Cobras’ defensive efficiency.<\/p>\n
“Bar one game \u2026 and I’ll take the North Ballarat one as an anomaly \u2026 I think we are setting ourselves up,” he said.<\/p>\n
“They scored 74 points for the day and 64 of them were on turnovers.<\/p>\n
“We are still finding that link and there is still work to be done.<\/p>\n
“But ultimately now our defence is giving us an opportunity to be in every game and that’s really pleasing.<\/p>\n
“Even the Darley game, at about the 14-minute mark of the third quarter, we were down by 10 points.<\/p>\n
“We were right in it up until a few injuries happen and then they go bang.<\/p>\n
“Our defence is working well and it’s not just our back six \u2013 it’s a team effort.<\/p>\n
“Hopefully we build on that.”<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Baker said while the Swans had worked themselves into a nice position a third of the way into the season, a run of games against the Cobras, Sunbury, Darley and North Ballarat would paint a clearer picture of their standing in the competition.<\/p>\n
“We’ve hit the ground running a little bit, but we have a tough run coming up, well starting (last Saturday),” he said.<\/p>\n
“The month after the bye is going to give us a bit of a clearer picture of where we are at.<\/p>\n
“I reckon we will know in a month’s time.”<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in round 7, Sebastopol and North Ballarat meet in a top of the table clash at Marty Busch Recreation Reserve.<\/p>\n
Darley will look to rebound following a rare two straight losses against Redan; fresh from its first win, East Point hosts Melton; and Sunbury clashes with Lake Wendouree at Clarke Oval.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BALLARAT’S strong finishes to games early in the 2026 BFNL season have not escaped the attention of Bacchus Marsh, with coach Dennis Armfield emphasising the need for a full four quarter effort ahead of the Cobras’ showdown against the red-hot Swans this Saturday. The Ash Baker-coached Swans will be heading into the contest full of […]<\/p>\n