Lions end Maddingley Park drought

By Todd Whelan

Bacchus Marsh Football

Finals aspirant Sunbury have ended a nine-year winning drought on Maddingley Park downing a spirited Cobras outfit by 41 points.

The Cobras led by as much as 17 points in time-on of the second term before the Lions hit the gas adding nine unanswered goals up until the final change, putting the game beyond doubt and any thoughts of an upset.

Cobra forward Jake Owen finished with three goals all in the first half to put the visitors on notice before the Lions regathered, reeling in the half time deficit before extending to a match winning 43 point lead at the final change. The swing in momentum came largely on the back of Essendon VFL listed Lions forward Jake Sutton who finished with a game high four goals (seven behinds).

The Cobras began in fine style despite conceding the opening two goals of the game as Darcey Bishop and debutant Spence Jenks provided the response. Jenks kicked one of the goals of the day with his one touch gather inside 50 and finish across the body.

Midfielders Jake McCreery and Tyson Shea, along with Owen forward and Jake Parente at the back, combined to provide much of the resistance before the undermanned Cobras were eventually over ran.

While the Cobras seemingly “dropped the ball” in the third term coughing up 7.6 to just one behind there was some merit in their performance having won the last quarter albeit with the sting out of the game.

The winless Cobras have endured no favours with the draw having played each of the top six teams currently listed on the BFNL ladder suggesting a win for the rebuilding club may be just around the corner with match ups against Lake Wendouree (9th) and Melton South (11th) over the next two rounds.

What the coaches said

Williams (B/Marsh) – “A really good first half but again our depth was exposed. However, we see it as another week trending in the right direction.
Hodgson (Sunbury) – “We were pretty average defending in the first half and credit to the Marsh, they played some good footy. We managed to win over contested ball and get it to the outside in the third quarter and help set up the win.”

Final Scores
Bacchus Marsh 9.6-60
lost
Sunbury 14.17-101

Bacchus Marsh (Whelan’s Best) – J. McReery, J. Owen, J. Parente, T. Shea, A. Porter, A. Craig.
Bacchus Marsh (Goals) – J. Owen 3, H. Coulton 1, S. Jenks, D. Bishop, A. Craig, J. Cott, J. McCreery.