Cobras secure third win

By Todd Whelan

Bacchus Marsh recorded a morale-boosting 106-point win on the road over Melton South.

There were ominous signs early for the winless hosts as Cobras prime mover Jake Owen (five goals) had an immediate impact with two goals in the opening four minutes.

While the result was never seemingly in doubt for many, Cobras coach Jason Williams was forthright with his intentions to start well after the winless Panthers led at their earlier season meet at Maddingley Park.

A 30-point lead at the first change for Williams’ Cobras answered the call before they extended marginally to 31 points at the main break, as the home side rallied to match the visitors’ underwhelming two goal term.

But that was all she wrote really in the context of the game, as the Cobras’ more seasoned brigade asserted considerable dominance, adding 11 unanswered goals in the second half.

Next generation pair Rylan Porter and Spencer Jenks chimed in with three goals apiece to aid the separation on the scoreboard. The 106-point victory usurped the Cobras earlier win over the Panthers by 10 points, earning (their) highest win of the season status.

Cobras midfield trio Tyson Shea, Josh Huxtable and Jake McCreery won majority of possession between the arcs, the ultimate beneficiaries of Luke Goetz aerial advantage around stoppage despite the gallant efforts of young opposing Panthers ruckman Brodie Collins.

Owen had his moments in front of the sticks ending with 10 shots on goal dividing his maximum impact.

The Cobras shared in 36 shots on goal asserting their supremacy en route toward a big win with a genuine chance finishing off their home and away season with another two (wins) from their three remaining games that include Lake Wendouree, Sunbury and Ballarat.

Achieving such a feat would see the Cobras finish with five wins and potentially eighth, a par for their 2023 returns given the rebuilding nature of the list.

*Saturday’s game between Bacchus Marsh and Lake Wendouree will be broadcast live via Apple 98.5FM from 2pm.

What the coaches said
Hoy (M/South) – “Felt our first half was really good, especially our second quarter when we defended really well. Unfortunately, we lost our way in the third and we were unable to quell their momentum. Credit to our boys though, we stuck at it in the last quarter which was pleasing.”

Williams (B/Marsh) – “Grateful to win and have a lot of contributors across the day. I really enjoyed seeing the boys really enjoying themselves. Melton South were good in the second quarter and challenged us which will help us over the coming weeks.”

FINAL SCORE
Melton South 2.8 20 lost Bacchus Marsh 18.18 126

B/Marsh (Best) – J. Owen, T. Shea, J. Huxtable, J. Parente, X. Jenks, C. Gates.
B/Marsh (Goals) – J. Owen 5, S. Jenks 3, R. Porter, L. Goetz1, J. Onderwater, T. Shea, E. Ogden, J. McCreery, C. Salmon, X. Jenks.