Sport
Page 28 The Moorabool News – 28 June, 2022
Email - news@themooraboolnews.com.au
Cobras knocking on finals door By Todd Whelan Bacchus Marsh v Sebastopol The travelling Cobras kept finals aspirant Sebastopol to just six goals on their way to a morale boosting 22-point win last Saturday. The Cobras led at every change, joining three other teams on five wins to keep their top six chances alive. Once again Cobras Captain Jake Owen played ‘the general’ role down back in the absence of key defenders Jack Williams and Jason Robinson. In-form Cobras duo Ryley Stuhldrier and newcomer Sam Crea made it back-to-back solid performances to feature among the better players while small forward Tyler Huyn (three goals) pinched his second haul of multiple goals this year. Questions would be asked of the Cobras defence and their ability to hold out a 12 point advantage at the final change - against the breeze. The Cobras passed the test with flying colors aided by first use of the ball thanks to Daniel Burton in the ruck. Tyson Shea was prominent in game 251 - conditions suiting the in and under veteran down to the ground. For the losing side, Jack Bambury, Tony Lockyer and Hugo Papst gave their all but a disappointing six goal return was never going to be enough. The Burra’s face a possible ejection from the top six when they meet undefeated Melton this Saturday. Seventh placed Bacchus Marsh can move as high as fifth with a likely win over Lake Wendouree on home soil. The Lakers have lost
Daniel Burton shrugs off an opponent against Sebastopol. Photo – BMFNC Facebook page their last eight games on the trot. WHAT THE COACHES SAID Where was the game was won and lost? GERMAN (B/Marsh) - We moved the ball really well at times and structured up well which forced errors on their behalf. Rate your ‘forwards’ performance GERMAN - Competed well and took the opportunities when they were there. Our young guys coming through in (Jack) Kovacevic and (Joel) Freeman held their own, giving to look forward to in coming years. Rate your ‘midfielders’ performance GERMAN - Was a game of momentum and the spread from
our mids at times was excellent but then our ability to lock in the contest when there weren’t options was equally as good. Rate your ‘defenders’ performance GERMAN - Played really well throughout the entire game. We defended well and got some good rebound. The group held up in the last quarter against the wind. Rate your ‘Overall’ performance SEARLE (Sebastopol) - Tough day again. They were cleaner and brought a high level of intensity in the first quarter. We arm wrestled it back in our favour during the second and third but were outworked again in the last. Have to regroup and go again. This Saturday - LIVE RADIO FROM 2PM - APPLE 98.5 FM BACCHUS MARSH V LAKE WENDOUREE or stream audio live via apple985fm.com.au FINAL SCORES Sebastopol - 0.1-1, 3.3-21, 5.6-36, 6.9-45 lost Bacchus Marsh - 4.3-27, 5.4-34, 7.6-48, 10.7-67 BEST B/Marsh - R. Stuhldrier, J. Owen, D. Burton, S. Crea, T. Shea, M. Culliver. GOALS B/Marsh - T. Huyn 3, J. Parente 1, R. Hickman, J. Freeman, J. Kovacevic, T. Shea, H. King, R. Stuhldrier. DON’T MISS “THE PRESSER’’ - LIVE EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM 8PM. LISTEN TO APPPLE 98.5FM OR STREAM LIVE www.apple985fm.com.au
Devils demolish Lakers
By Todd Whelan
Darley v Lake Wendouree The Devils recorded their first, four quarter win of the season with a comprehensive 106 point demolition job over the Lakers on Darley Park at the weekend. It was the rebuilding Devils fifth win of the season under new coach Dan Jordan, moving them into fourth place on the BFNL table, ahead of next opponent North Ballarat, Sebastopol and cross town rival Bacchus Marsh on percentage. Marquee recruit and spearhead forward Nick Rodda finished with nine goals to move on top of the League goalkicking table (39 from 9 games @ 4.33 pg). Jordan’s young Devils could’ve named as many as 15 players in the best before settling on Joel Cadman, Brett Bewley, Dylan Landt, Jack Bewley, Mitch Ward and of course Rodda. A 34 point quarter time lead for the Devils became 64 at the half and 93 at the final change before 106 at games end. For the Lakers, there was some resistance from Geelong VFL listed player Scott Carlin and experienced campaigner Nathan Pring, but the day in essence was all about the Black and White and a much needed percentage boost that is likely to play a part come the business end. In essence, it was one way traffic. Eighteen year old Brodie Ward debuted to enhance the nature of family connection among the group. Brodie and Mitch completed the fourth set of brothers to play for the Devils at the weekend joining the Bewley’s, Cadman’s and the Azzopardi’s. You would have to venture down memory lane back to the 1995 Premiership side to match the same number of sibling combos - namely the Ward’s (again), the Barnes’, the Hehir’s and the Whelan’s. You could throw in the Millers’ (once in-laws) for bragging rights to make it five. Darley meet Brendan Macartney’s North Ballarat at Mars Stadium this Saturday as both sides aim for a second win against top six opposition - the two teams are currently locked together on five wins. separated by a mere 0.1%. A win for either team will consolidate fourth position, while the loser could even end up outside the six come Saturday night. For the record, the Devils and the Cobras sit on equal points with five wins earmarking a date forward on the calendar as a ‘must see’ event. The two rivals are set to meet on August 6 at Maddingley Park. Make it a date, this local derby should be one for the ages.
WHAT THE COACHES SAID
Where was the game was won and lost? JORDAN (Darley) - The boys responded well at the contest after being challenged during the week Rate your ‘forwards’ performance JORDAN - Nick Rodda was terrific with his nine goals to be ‘best on’ Rate your ‘midfielders’ performance JORDAN - Again, our midfield group answered the challenge put in front of them. All had their fair share of the ball including our wingers. Rate your ‘defenders’ performance JORDAN - I thought they were solid. We’re a very young back six who all showed some positive signs. Mace Cousins, Mitch Ward were very good. Trent Angwin too was important for us and Duncan Cadman and Zane LeHuray responded well to their own challenges. Rate your ‘overall’ performance FITZPATRICK (Lakers) - The way Darley used the ball was as good as any side we’ve played this year. Unfortunately, we couldn’t put enough pressure on them and they were able to cut through us like a hot knife through butter. FINAL SCORES Darley - 7.4-46, 12.11-83, 18.15-123, 24.18-162 defeated Lake Wendouree 2.0-12, 3.1-19, 4.6-30, 8.8-56 BEST Darley - N. Rodda, J. Cadman, B. Bewley, D. Landt, J. Bewley, M. Ward. GOALS Darley - N. Rodda 9, M. Brett 3, D. Landt, S. Page 2, W. Johnson, An. Azzopardi 1, Ad Azzopardi, M. Ward, T. Angwin, J. Bewley. DON’T MISS “THE PRESSER’’ - LIVE EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT FROM 8PM. LISTEN TO APPPLE 98.5FM OR STREAM LIVE Photo - Tim Saultry / sportingherald.com.au www.apple985fm.com.au