Swans outclass flat Cobras

TODD WHELAN

Bacchus Marsh failed to flatter on the road, simply outworked and outplayed by a sharp Ballarat who notched their sixth win of the season with a comfortable 55 point win at Alfredton Oval.

Home fans were treated to a clinic from Ash Baker’s bevy in relatively fine conditions for the most part, leaving little or no excuses for the visitors.

The superior work rate of the Swans was palpable. Their ability to outnumber the Cobras at the contest, create the overlap and impact on the spread was an afternoon constant. Their number one ranked pressure rating without the ball was also validated.

The Swans had arguably 15 of the best 20 players on the ground while the Cobras struggled for any periods of connection.

While the win elevates the Swans into second place on the ladder, percentage shy of Sebastopol the Cobras cling to fifth with a vulnerable percentage.

The disappointing loss for Armfield’s quiver was compounded even further with a hamstring strain to key forward Jake Owen who missed a large chunk of the second half. Scans will tell us more during the week.

 

Swans running machines Thomas Simpson, Fraser Perkins and Lewis Rinaldi did the most of the damage between the arcs while “Biggie” was once again the focal point forward finishing with 2.4.

Cobras half forward Isaac Nixon and Owen were the only two that looked like threatening in their front half, while the territory gains from the boot of Sam Griffiths helped minimise the damage. Second, third gamers Adam Blain and Jonas Cukavac showed enough to earn another crack at it next week against the Lakers.

In a nutshell, this hitout told us more about the Swans staking their early premiership claims.

Ballarat host Sunbury (7th) next week while the Cobras host the winless Lakers at Maddingley Park.

What the coaches said…

Ballarat – Ash Baker

Really pleased with our effort today. In trying conditions early, I was pleased with our pressure and contest numbers. I thought this set us up well across the first three quarters of football.

To Bacchus Marsh’s credit, they kept coming and challenged us early in the last, however we were able to respond late in the game.

Overall- really pleased with our game as we now turn our attention to another home game next week against Sunbury.

B/Marsh – Dennis Armfield

We just couldn’t click today, Ash and his boys are very well drilled unit. They play a real team brand of footy.

We had our chances but just couldn’t score. At one stage 10-12 entries for 1 point.

 

I liked the fact we kept fighting, yet beaten by a quality squad. We will recover and focus on a visiting Lakers who have shown they can play a good brand.

Backs

I thought they fright hard all day, had to repel a fair few attacks, lead by 2nd game Blain on Biggie.

Mids

We just couldn’t get the balance of inside and outside right today. I thought we had our chances yet ballarat pressure was relentless.

Forwards

We lost shape today, we couldn’t hold it in enough and ballarat got numbers back to slingshot.

Final Scores

Ballarat 2.6-18, 6.8-44, 10.10-70, 13.15-93 def B/Marsh 0.2-2, 1.6-12, 1.9-15, 4.14-38

Ballarat (Goals): B.Nyoun 2, P.Simpson 2, T.Simpson 2, Z.Haintz, B.Crouch, L.Rinaldi, F.Perkins, Z.Maple, P.Graham, A.Hooper.

B/Marsh (Goals): J.Cukavac, J.Kovacevic, B.Griffiths, A.Morgan.

Ballarat (Whelan’s Best): L.Rinaldi, T.Simpson, F.Perkins, P.Graham, B.Crouch, S.Batistella, Z.Haintz.

B/Marsh (Whelan’s Best): J.Parente, I.Nixon, S.Griffiths, T.Findlay, A.Blain.