Lions cull Cobras

By Todd Whelan

Bacchus Marsh v Redan

A relentless Redan booted 17 goals to four after quarter time dashing any slim hope the Cobras had of featuring in this year’s finals, on their way to a comprehensive 92-point win.
There were two contrasting realities to draw from the game – the Cobras, without Jake Owen, Nick Stuhldrier and Quade Butt were kept to their lowest score at home for the season, while the visitors posted their highest of the season to date, home or away. The nature of the win for Jarrett Giampaolo’s Lions was emphatic to say the least and moves them into seventh place following a major percentage boost. While the Lions won’t play finals, the future looks bright. Forty scoring shots on the road against a team renowned for better performance at home is not to be sneezed at. So where to start assessing the domination?
Lions forward Lachie McLean (6 goals) booted five in the opening half to set up a match winning 42-point lead and was ably supported by sharpshooter Isaac Grant (4 goals) and experienced campaigner Liam Hoy (3 goals). Even the Lions next crop of rising talent chimed in, as Lachie Farnsworth and Jack Richards added two final quarter goals of their own. In fact, Farnsworth could easily have finished with four or five last quarter goals in a most encouraging display. The Lions, clearly buoyed with the inclusion of Cooper Craig-Peters often waltzed out of stoppage, exposing the lack lustre Cobras on the spread. In summary for the winners, you would be flat out finding a Lions player that didn’t impact the game. Seventeen of the Lions’ 40 shots on goal came in the last quarter adding 9.8 to the Cobras paltry 1.0.
For the Cobras, Sam Crea never gave up trying while Jack Williams denied further damage on the scoreboard, especially in the first three quarters with his intercept marking. Tom German racked up his fair share of disposals while an ‘underdone’ Daniel Burton made a welcomed, safe return.
Experienced trio Tyson Shea, Simon LaFranchi and Riley Stuhldrier were best of the rest in what Coach Tom German aptly described as a ‘pretty disappointing day.”
The Cobras could manage just one point (2nd qtr) and one goal (4th) with what was perceived a slight breeze advantage while leaking 15 goals for the same period. Not much went right for the Cobras who had all to play for but were seemingly flat after the hype of the Round 16 local derby. It was the second time this year the Cobras were beaten soundly post the Darley game. If you can’t make a case for the flat nature of the performance, hold their ball use to account – season low.
Meanwhile, Redan are likely to finish off their season well with a win at home over a fatiguing Melton South while Bacchus Marsh are on the road for bragging rights against their old coach Travis Hodgson’s Sunbury. A pride in the jumper game awaits.

Final Scores
Bacchus Marsh – 3.1-19, 3.2-20, 6.6-42, 7.6-48
lost
Redan – 3.4-22, 9.8-62, 11.12-78, 20.20-140