North too classy for Cobras

By Todd Whelan

Bacchus Marsh were outworked and outplayed before succumbing to a daring North Ballarat by 68 points.

The Cobras lost every quarter for the third successive week and were made to pay for their errant ways in front of goal. Set shots within 35 metres, often a ‘given’ at the level went awry for the Cobras registering only minor scores. That’s not including the three or four that went out of bounds on the full or simply didn’t make the distance. While the frustrations of their goalkicking was palpable, young gun Joel Freeman was the exception, finishing with four goals.

Newcomer ruckman Luke Goetz faced his most difficult assignment at the weekend up against North man mountain Cam McCullum. Whatever stats come to hand from the ruck dual, Goetz passed the test in arguably his best game in Cobra colors. He and Freeman kept up the battle and were ably assisted by joint Captains Jack Parente and Simon La Franchi. While the Cobras for many weren’t expected to win, they could have finished closer as numerous opportunities went begging.

The Roosters were inadvertently compensated with the inclusion of Collingwood VFL listed player Sam Glover – and didn’t he look the part, running a merry dance on occasions to finish with a game high five goals. Glover’s laconic nature gives the indication he’s rarely out of second gear but his footy smarts, and ability to read the play proved a handful for the Cobras to contain.

North Ballarat mid Riley Polkinghorne was clearly the best man on the ground, his two way running and possession accumulation was a feature.

When North Ballarat get their running game going, look out. Their will to take the game on by hand especially ran rings around the trying Cobras and led to scores in transition often out of defence.

Cobras coach Jason Williams
Backs – “Sammy Glover was hard to handle and the North Ballarat forwards made the most of their free flowing footy between the arcs.”
Mids – “Our inside guys tried hard to win the ball in the first contest but didn’t work hard enough to win the ball back and run in transition from contests.”
Forwards – “Looked dangerous and had the most opportunities we have had to date but outside of Joel Freeman, lacked abilityto kick a score.”

RESULTS
Bacchus Marsh 1.1-7, 3.4-22, 5.7-37, 7.11-53
lost
North Ballarat 3.5-23, 9.7-61, 13.11-89, 18.13-121
Bacchus Marsh (Whelan’s Best) – L. Goetz, J. Freeman, J. Parente, J. Owen, T. Shea, S. LaFranchi
Bacchus Marsh (Goals) – J.Freeman 4, J. Owen 1, T. Shea, J. Huxtable.