Speedy Swans swoop on Cobras

NEW Cobras coach Dennis Armfield remains upbeat, despite his side’s 16-point loss to Chris Maple’s much improved Swans last Saturday in the opening round of the BFNL season.

The Red Yellow and Black army were in this game up to their eyeballs on their home deck before a late rally from the Swans saw them steady late and go onto to register an all important win on the road.

There was less than a goal separating the two sides at every change to have the Cobras and Swans faithful on the edge of their seats.

Both sides had many significant contributors, but it was the genuine pace of the Swans that hurt the Cobras’ ambitions to have a game played on their own terms.

If not for the Swans butchering the ball on repeat occasions with their entry kick inside 50, the margin could well have been greater, given the visiting Swans had 30 shots on goal.

Scores were level for a moment in the final term locked on 69 apiece as supporters from both camps were forced to contemplate an unlikely draw. But it wasn’t to be as Maples young Swans came up with the goods.

While the Swans return home this week against Redan for a chance to make it a 2-0 start to their season, the Cobras will be looking to bounce back with a win on the road over fellow round one losers Lake Wendouree.

How the coaches rated their performance

Armfield (B/Marsh): “Close game all day, (we) were hurt on turnover (and) slow to react. They were predictable to one another and were able to find the quick free option. We had a patch where I thought we may kick away but to Ballarat’s credit, they turned it and ran away in the end. Plenty to like but some key areas to improve.”

Maple (Ballarat): “It was a very close contest all day, (and) pleasing for guys to finish off the game well – just reward for a big pre-season. The Marsh were strong in the contest, our field and goal kicking let us down. Still plenty to work on in all phases of the game.”

Defence – Armfield (B/Marsh): “I thought we fought hard all day. A few times we trailed, lost our balance and shape but overall they executed.”

Mids – Armfield (B/Marsh): “(We) were jumped early and caught too close to the contest and their leg speed got us. We fought hard to get it level and get clearance yardage.”

Forwards – Armfield (B/Marsh): “(We) were caught high at times, allowing them to drop off and have aerial impact, and found ourselves chasing. At the drop of the ball we were inconsistent, but our movement was positive.”

Final scores: Bacchus Marsh 3.0-18, 6.5-41, 10.6-66, 10.9-69 lost to Ballarat 3.6-24, 6.10-46, 8.14-62, 11.19-85.

B/Marsh (Best): W.Lalor, J.Parente, L,Goetz, J.McCreery, J.Owen, J.Kovacevic.

B/Marsh (Goals): J.Owen 2, J,Freeman 2, D.Armfield 2, J.Kovacevic 2, C.Freake, J.McKreery.

Ballarat (Best): P.Simpson, C.Wellings, A.Bade, J.Drever, L.Dalgliesh

Ballarat (Goals): J.Drever 3, C.Wellings 2, P.Simpson, B.Wardley, Z.Maple, N.Drever, H.Butler, Z.Rinaldi.