Finals destiny in Cobras’ own hands: Armfield

BACCHUS Marsh coach Dennis Armfield says while the Cobras are optimistic of playing BFNL finals this year, he is glad that their destiny remains in their own hands.

The Cobras headed into last weekend’s break in fifth spot on the ladder at 5-6, three games behind fourth-placed Sunbury, but two points clear of North Ballarat and Ballarat in sixth and seventh place respectively.

They will have the chance to steal a handy break on their rivals below them this weekend, when they host the Roosters at Maddingley Park, while Ballarat faces a tough test against top-of-the-ladder Darley.

Having already re-signed for next season, Armfield is thrilled with the progress his Cobras side has made since last year’s four-win season and ninth-place finish.

But the former Carlton defender turned forward has warned of bigger challenges ahead.

“I feel we have made a lot of progress so far this year, but realistically, we are just after half-year and still have a tough run ahead, with four or five of the top teams in the next month of footy,” he said.

“But I’m pleased with the way the boys have been able to adjust. We have been competitive in every game.

“Touch wood, we haven’t copped a shellacking or anything like that yet – and we haven’t dropped our heads when we have been challenged at times.

“Even a couple of weeks ago, when we found ourselves 40 points down against Sunbury. That could have gone one or two ways.

“To fight back and virtually win the rest of the game, albeit by only one point, was a pleasing sign.

“We are building, we are developing, and we are getting some resilience – and not only have we been able to have our plan A, but also actually develop a plan B.”

There was a lot to like about the Cobras’ 117-point victory over Lake Wendouree before the bye for Armfield, most notably an 11-goal haul from Jake Owen in his 100th game and big performances from, among others, Jake McCreery, Isaac Nixon (three goals) and Jack Parente.

A big win was achieved in the face of a relentless first-half effort by a fired-up Lakers.

“We knew Lakers were going to throw everything at us, being their 30-year anniversary, and they did come hungry at the start,” Armfield said.

“But we were able to weather the storm and break away in the second half which was nice.

“Normally, after a game, you can say a couple of guys struggled and a couple of blokes excelled, but I thought when it came to picking our top six for the (news) paper, you could throw a blanket over a fair few of them.

“That was the pleasing thing.

“Obviously Jake Owen kicking 11 (goals) in his hundredth game was a standout performance, but he mentioned after the game, it was the result of what happens up the field.

“I thought our midfielders were able to play real team-first football, and our defenders defended extremely diligently in a game where you could have gotten away with a few lazy options, but they chose not to.”

Eagerly anticipating this weekend’s tough test, Armfield gave full praise to the Roosters for reviving their season with four wins from their last six games.

Of the two losses, one was a more-than-solid effort against Darley.

“What Clint (coach Clint Proctor) has been able to do at North Ballarat – we always respect them and always know we are in for a fight,” he said.

“We were fortunate enough to hold on against them last time up there.

“No doubt about it, it’s a crucial game.

“The teams fighting for those fifth and sixth roles – there’s a lot of us.

“It’s going to be in our destinies as to who wants it and who can win these crucial games.

“But I’m realistic too – I know it’s not over if we lose it, or even if we win it. There’s still plenty of football to go.

“We’ll focus on this one and hopefully we get the result, but I believe our best football can match it with the best, it’s just whether we can do it long enough.”

Following North Ballarat, the Cobras will play Darley and East Point (both away) to round out July, with Melton at Maddingley Park first-up in August.

Armfield said whichever teams ended up in fifth and sixth ahead of finals would have well and truly earned it.

“You only have to see (from round 11), Sebastopol ran a great team in East Point to a few points, and Redan ran Sunbury to a few points, and the North Ballarat-Ballarat game was close,” he said.

“You have to earn your stripes.

“The top four have broken away and early days were probably clearly the better teams on the day.

“But as the back half of the year is coming along, the bottom half is definitely closing the gap.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see the odd big scalp in the back half of the year.”