BACCHUS Marsh has taken great strides in senior coach Dennis Armfield’s three seasons at the club.<\/p>\n
But the former Carlton player hopes the progress that has been made is just the tip of the iceberg, after agreeing to coach on in 2027.<\/p>\n
In his third season at the club, Armfield has the Cobras in seventh position on the ladder ahead of a must-win game against Sunbury this Saturday at Clarke Oval.<\/p>\n
In a battle for two open finals spots, the Cobras trail Melton (fifth) and Sunbury (sixth) by one win, albeit with a vastly inferior percentage, especially compared with the Bloods.<\/p>\n
They also have a surging Redan nipping at their heels.<\/p>\n
While a season full of promise that got away to a 2\u20130 start and progressed to 4\u20132 has been ravaged by injuries, the important thing is the Cobras are still in the hunt.<\/p>\n
Thrilled by the vote of confidence in him by the club, Armfield, who led the Cobras to a drought-breaking finals berth in 2025, acknowledged the season had been one of many challenges.<\/p>\n
“But we’ve learnt a lot and we’ve grown a lot,” he said.<\/p>\n
“You look at the ladder and your wins and losses, sometimes you might not think that, but I think we are far more mature as a group at the moment.<\/p>\n
“We’re still in with a chance and up to our neck in the battle for a finals spot, which is what our goal has always been.”<\/p>\n
The challenges are far from over with some key personnel still a few weeks away from a return and some not expected at all.<\/p>\n
Then there is the Cobras’ draw, which after Sunbury includes Redan, East Point, top-side Sebastopol and Lake Wendouree.<\/p>\n
Armfield insists the Cobras are up for the challenge.<\/p>\n
“Look, I think every game is hard at the moment, every team is starting to find some good form and teams are getting their injured blokes back,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s probably the toughest month we’ve had and that will continue for another couple of weeks.<\/p>\n
“It doesn’t get any easier over the next month, but I think whoever makes the six is going to earn it.<\/p>\n
“It’s a good comp where eight or nine teams can make finals.”<\/p>\n
Bacchus Marsh showed plenty of positive signs in a gutsy but frustrating 29-point loss to crosstown rival Darley last Saturday.<\/p>\n
An inaccurate Cobras at one stage trailed 0.8 to 2.1 during the second term.<\/p>\n
Down by 10 points at half-time, the margin was only 11 at the final change before the Devils had the better of the last.<\/p>\n
Crucially for the future, the Cobras had 13 players aged 21 or under in their ranks.<\/p>\n
“Unfortunately missed opportunities early came back to bite us late,” Armfield said.<\/p>\n
“I felt we controlled the game early yet allowed Darley easy goals.<\/p>\n
“And you can’t allow good teams momentum because they will capitalise.<\/p>\n
“We now focus on Sunbury away who seem to be finding their feet too.”<\/p>\n
A proud and active member of the Bacchus Marsh community, Armfield was grateful for the show of faith from the club.<\/p>\n
“I don’t take it for granted and am really looking forward to going on again for another year,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I’m glad the club wants to continue on the journey.”<\/p>\n
With plenty still to play out this season, Armfield already has a vision for the future.<\/p>\n
“For us, in-game maturity and in-game leadership are things we need to keep working on,” he said.<\/p>\n
“We still have a younger demographic that can go a little bit insular when it comes to executing our game plan, and we’ve really got to drive belief.<\/p>\n
“Developing our young list is something I want to focus on, and continuing to work on what we have built over the last three years, as the players have really stood up as a young group and now it’s about getting some reward for that.”<\/p>\n
In a statement released by the club, the Cobras said they were thrilled to have Armfield signed on for another season.<\/p>\n
“Since taking the reins, Dennis has helped drive high standards, build a strong culture, and develop our playing group both on and off the field,” the statement read.<\/p>\n
“His impact was evident in 2025, leading the Cobras to a drought-breaking finals campaign and marking an important milestone in the club’s journey.<\/p>\n
“We’re excited to continue building on the foundations that have been laid and can’t wait to see what the future holds under Dennis’ leadership.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BACCHUS Marsh has taken great strides in senior coach Dennis Armfield’s three seasons at the club. But the former Carlton player hopes the progress that has been made is just the tip of the iceberg, after agreeing to coach on in 2027. In his third season at the club, Armfield has the Cobras in seventh […]<\/p>\n