Cobras record second win

By Todd Whelan

Bacchus Marsh overcame a slow start to run away comfortable 98-point winners over cellar dwellers Melton South at the weekend.

Despite a one-win season heading in, the Cobras started warm favourites and asserted their authority on the game, booting 14 goals to one after half time, granting new season coach Jason Williams his first block of back-to-back wins.

The home side was made to work hard early for any ascendency after the Panthers led at the first change, their only quarter win of the season.

Avoiding any knee jerk reactions, Williams opted with a philosophical approach at the first break, shifting onus back onto the players to own and correct on any perceived levels of lethargy, poor disposal and decision making.

While there was a response in the second term from the Cobras, enough to regain a half time lead, there was clearly more work to be done.

After the main break, a reset of sorts, the Cobras led by Jake Owen (4 goals) and Joel Freeman (5 goals) arrested the game onto something more resembling their own terms.

The Cobras booted eight goals to one in the third term earning belated separation on the scoreboard. Such was the dominance of the Cobras in the second half the margin could easily have been greater.

While Owen and Freeman did the damage for the Cobras in their front half, they were the welcoming beneficiaries of the work rate shown by Tyson Shea, Josh Huxtable, and Alex Porter.

Across half back Cobras duo Simon La Franchi and Xavier Jenks were their most effective. La Franchi’s discipline and Jenks’ distribution were a valued asset for the Cobras in transition often equating to scores.

Organic currency is on the rise at Cobra land as they embraced as many as five players back from the AFL Under 18 pathway competition, and encouraging debut from 17-year-old Will Lalor who looms a lock prediction for a promising future.

Breezy first half conditions may have had an influence on the subpar efficiency levels of both teams given the nature of improvement shown by the Cobras in the second half, amounting to 24 shots on goal to just 4.

The longer the game went, the clearer it became who was the superior team. The 98-point final margin essentially reiterated the majority of public opinion – the Cobras would get it done.

What the coaches said;
Williams (B/Marsh); “Unfortunately we didn’t apply ourselves well early but credit to our guys and leaders they came out mentally prepared after half time. We responded well and produced an excellent third quarter before finishing with 10 individual goalkickers. Very exciting to see our young talent on display again.”
Hoy (M/South); “A tale of two halves. We win the inside ball in the first half but Bacchus Marsh opened us up in the second. (There were) a lot of positives to take out of the first half but credit to Bacchus Marsh for lifting the intensity in the second. The Marsh had a good spread of young guns who beat us with their leg speed in the second half.”

Bacchus Marsh 19.18-132 def Melton South 5.4-34

B/Marsh (Whelan’s Best): J.Owen, T.Shea, S.LaFranchi, J.Freeman, J.Huxtable, E.McKercher, A.Porter.

B/Marsh (Goals): J.Freeman 5, J.Owen 4, E.McKercher 2, R.Huxtable 2, T.Shea, W.Lalor, J.McCreery, J.Huxtable, A.Porter, E.Ogden.