Cobras clip Swans wings 

Bacchus Marsh Football Club  By Todd Whelan

Bacchus Marsh have given their fans a reason to hope in 2022 after a nail-biting two point win over Ballarat at Maddingley Park.

The Cobras led at every change to hold off a late charge from the ‘never say die’ Swans who booted the last four goals of the game to have the big crowd on the edge of their seats. Narrow margins can be heart breaking but even the diehard Swans fan wouldn’t begrudge the Cobras for banking the points. Without ball magnet NIck Stuhldrier (Port Melbourne VFL duties), the Cobras needed to find a way to get it done and silence the spruikers, talking up big things for the Swans in ’22. Full credit to the Cobras – while the margin and inferior shots on goal numbers suggest otherwise, they really did give the Swans a lesson executing the fundamentals of the game.

Newcomers Shane Robinson and Jack Williams impressed across half back and were exceptional by foot, especially into the breeze. In stark contrast the Swans effectiveness on the rebound was often indecisive, poorly weighted and/or ill directed. While it was never their intention, it was comical on occasions.

The Swans woes didn’t improve in front of goal either with key misses from their ‘top end’ namely Aiden Domic and Bailey Van de Heuvel inside 15 metres. There was something just not right about the Swans for the most part, and they were made to pay the ultimate price in footy – getting beat.

Cobras Playing Coach Tom German led from the front accumulating numbers with frequent regularity over all parts of the ground and his pressure, his 1%’s never waned – his best on ground performance was capped in the second quarter with a team lifting goal from the 50 metre arc to give his boys some separation on the scoreboard heading into half time.

There were more encouraging signs to come out of the win for the Cobras. Captain Jake Owen (three goals) was terrific, took near double figure marks at either end when required – kicked truly in the big moments and was the pillar ‘+1’ in defence when the ship needed a steady. The outside run of wingman Michael Culliver was palpable especially in the first half, while youngsters Max Eastmure, Jack Parente and the Porter brothers did some good things.

Daniel Veldon celebrated his 300th game in fine style and was given rapturous applause as he left the ground a proud winner on the shoulders of his peers. Among the appreciating was debutant William Cook. Given opportunities present, Cook could become the first to put his hand up and say “I could get used to this (winning) and follow in the steps of Veldon…… just 299 games to go.”

To read the full story – Simply click on the following link

https://issuu.com/themooraboolnews/docs/mn_2022-04-12/21

in the 12 April 2022 edition
OR
pick up a paper around your town.