Cobras finish on a high

August 31, 2023 BY

By Todd Whelan

Bacchus Marsh survived a second half comeback to deny Ballarat the win, in a thriller at Maddingley Park last weekend.

Notching up a fourth straight win to finish the season looked a foregone conclusion early on for the Cobras as they went into the first change well on top with a handy 21-point lead.

But to the Swans credit, they were able to work themselves back into the game after the reset, outscoring the hosts nine goals to six through the middle stages to set up a grandstand finish for the unofficial race for eighth place.

While both sides had their chances to win the game during an arm wrestle final term, it was the will of the Cobras that stood firm hanging on to win by two points in a most entertaining conclusion to their respective 2023 campaigns.

Both sides endured rebuild campaigns and witnessed first-hand the fruits of their labour with promising wins over (then) top six opposition Sunbury (both) and Redan (Ballarat).

An interesting off season beckons for these two sides as they aim to add (to) and develop their current crop of organic stocks to a level capable of a return to finals sooner rather than later. Just who will lead the Cobras in 2024 is now high on the agenda after Jason Williams announced his intentions to leave the club, after a development opportunity presented with AFL club Port Adelaide.

What the coaches said

Williams (B/Marsh) – “Really proud of the boys and the way the club has finished off the season (four wins in a row). Credit to Ballarat who never gave up, coming back to give us a scare late. Rapt the boys were able to hang on.”

Maple (Ballarat) – “After quarter time we played a good brand of football. Centre bounce(s) became the deciding factor. A shame not to get the points after another comeback but our boys will surely benefit from the experience.”

Final scores
Bacchus Marsh 12.10-82 def Ballarat 12.8-80
B/Marsh (Best) – A. Porter, T. Shea, J. Huxtable, J. Owen, X. Jenks, E. Ogden.
B/Marsh (Goals) – J. Owen 4, J. Huxtable 2, S. Jenks 1, J. McCreery, R. Porter, C. Salmon, T. Shea, J. Verbeker.