Defensive recruits impress in tough Cobras win

BACCHUS Marsh’s rejigged defence has passed its first test with flying colours, standing tall in a five-goal victory over a fresh-look East Point in their standalone Good Friday netball contest at Eastern Oval.

Aiming to back up last year’s stirring breakout season in which they qualified for A-grade finals for the first time in six years, the Cobras got the confidence-boost they were looking for with a 39-34 win.

They were pushed all the way by the Kangaroos, who after trailing by one goal at quarter time and four at half-time, always remained within reach of the Cobras in a sign they will be a tough proposition for rivals in 2026.

Reflecting the changing nature of their side, the Kangaroos introduced five first-time A-graders – Jeremi Robinson, Keele Hillas, Abby Kinnersley, Tess Geljon and Rhiannon White – a mix of recruits and players promoted from within the club.

For the Cobras, VNL defender Georgia Shattock and Avana Hobson debuted in black, yellow and red with great effect, with second-year coach Nichole Gleeson hailing their contribution as key to the outcome.

“Our defence was spot on today; (goal defence) Georgia Shattock was certainly our best player,” she said.

“She definitely earnt that award.

“I feel our defence is definitely going to be something worth watching this season.

“There was lots of things to take from the win and you always take one in the first round.

“I’m very proud of the girls; they ran out a full 60-minutes and no one was willing to give up their spot to come off the court.

“East Point look to have a fairly new side and a fairly young side too. They definitely looked good and made things hard for us.

“It was a good contest, which is what we expected going to into it, but with the new-look of their side, we weren’t sure what to expect either.”

In attack, the second-year combination of Kimberley Phillips (26 goals from 30 shots) and Jasmine Paama (13 from 16) again clicked, while Eliza Moodie grew stronger at centre as the game wore on.

Goal shooter Hillas led the scoring for east Point with 15, while goal attack Lily McGuinness finished with 12.

The Cobras will look to back up their bright start against Gleeson’s former team Melton this Saturday, while East Point will aim to rebound against expected improvers Sebastopol.

Gleeson said, ‘as always’ there were definite areas of improvement for the Cobras.

“Our transition from the midcourt to our goals is something we need to work on, and backing ourselves and trusting in each other that we are going to get the ball and they are going to receive it,” she said.

“Little things like that make a big difference.

“Turning from defensive into attack is still a work in progress, but that’s a combination of Eliza being a new centre and playing out of position from last year, and new combinations elsewhere. But we can only go forward.”

A big round one of action will be highlighted by a grand final rematch between Darley and Sunbury at Darley Park.

At Mars Stadium, North Ballarat hosts another likely improver Ballarat, while Lake Wendouree and Redan clash at C.E. Brown Reserve in a rematch of one of last season’s elimination finals, a nail-biter won by the Lakers by one goal.