Sport
25 June, 2025
Big win for Bombers
COBDEN has registered a second senior football win in three weeks with an upset 12.11.83 to 11.7.73 win over reigning premiers South Warrnambool.
South Warrnambool led by 17 points at half-time but Cobden coach Brody Mahoney said the scoreboard didn’t reflect the game early on.
“It was a genuinely even contest early, they just converted a bit better, but we always felt in the game,” Mahoney said.
A four goal to one third quarter saw the Bombers up by a point at the last change.
Cobden held their nerve in the last quarter, outscoring the Roosters three goals to two to get the 10 point win.
“Our pressure was fantastic, causing several turnovers which we took full advantage of,” Mahoney said.
“It was great to get the win over such a good team, the boys, were pumped after the game.”
The Bombers goals were well distributed which pleased Mahoney.
“We play our better footy when we have an even spread of goalkickers,” he said.
Angus Uwland, Michael Koroneos, Luke Smith and Matty Drayton all kicked two goals each for Cobden, with four single goal kickers.
Arthur Armstrong was named best on ground for the Bombers, Mahoney thrilled with the contribution of the man known as ‘Alf’.
“We played Alf down back, down forward and a bit in the ruck to give Matt Clarke a chop out,” he said.
“We knew we could stretch them in the ruck and were thrilled with how that combination (Clarke and Armstrong) went.”
Mahoney also praised Angus Molan, back in the senior team for the first time since round two, for his game.
“Angus was fantastic, consistently put his head over the ball and played a great game,” he said.
“We had no passengers, every member of the team contributed.”
Mahoney said the Bombers have embraced a positive outlook for the remainder of the 2025 season.
“Week by week we’ll keep playing our best,” he said.
“We believe in ourselves that we can beat anyone.”
This week the Bombers travel to Koroit to take on the fifth placed Saints.
In the reserves football, South Warrnambool had an 11.7.73 to 4.5.29 win.
Tully Darcy was the only multiple goal kicker for Cobden with two goals, with Thomas Roberts, Tom Mahony and Ryan Mottram the Bombers best.
South Warrnambool were too strong in the under 18 game, winning 15.10.100 to 0.3.3.
Adam Jopling, Michael Katsaros and Hayden Chamberlain were best for the under 18 Bombers.
In the under 16s on Sunday, South Warrnambool scored an 18.12.120 to 2.3.15 win.
Broly Henderson, Rusty Ponting and Darnel Nguena were Cobden’s best.
The under 14 game also saw South Warrnambool have a comfortable win, 14.16.100 to no score.
Clem Walsh, Ryan Bailey and Tristan O’Connor best for the Bombers.
South Warrnambool had a 6.9.45 to 2.2.14 win in the under 12 football.
Charlie Dunn kicked both goals for Cobden, with Thomas Dixon, Crawford Dunn and Angus Merrett the best for the junior Bombers.
The Open netball saw Cobden score a come from behind 47-46 victory.
Down by seven goals at three quarter time, the Bombers outscored South Warrnambool 17 to nine in the final quarter.
“It was a pleasing, much needed win,” a happy Cobden coach Nadine McNamara said.
“We were better prepared to take them on the second time around.”
McNamara acknowledged that Cobden didn’t have the start they wanted, but was thrilled with how the Bombers fought back.
“While we were down, at no stage did it feel out of reach,” she said.
“Our grit, composure and smart choices in the last quarter saw us take our opportunities to come out on top.”
Sophie Hinkley scored 25 goals and was named best on court.
“Sophie’s having an outstanding season,” McNamara said
“With Nikki Clover out this week, Sophie combined exceptionally well with Molly Hutt in front of goal.”
Hutt scored 14 goals with Jaymie Finch chiming in with eight.
While regular goal shooter Nikki Clover is a week by week proposition depending on her representative football commitments, Cobden look to now have a reasonably settled team.
“Koroit will be another big game like South Warrnambool, they got us at the start of the season, but we are ready and prepared for this week,” McNamara said.
In the division one netball, South Warrnambool led all day, recording a 33-28 win.
Sophie Blain, Macey Hicks and Matilda Darcy were Cobden’s best, with Jess Bouchier scoring 19 goals.
In the division two netball, South Warrnambool recorded a 36-24 win.
Hailey Mahoney scored 17 goals, with Tonya Spokes, Alysha Kelly and Leah Dickson best players.
South Warrnambool got the points in division three with a 48-17 win.
Eisha Howard, Georgia Darcy and Sophie Hickey were best for the Bombers, Maggie Conheady scoring nine goals.
The 17 and under game saw South Warrnambool score a 52-10 win.
Hannah Robertson, Marley Howard and Matilda Anderson were best for the under 17 Bombers.
The 17 and under reserves game also went South Warrnambool’s way, 30-17.
Hannah Robertson, Emily Hickey and Marley Howard were best for Cobden, Hickey shooting nine goals.
South Warrnambool took the points in the 15 and under netball with a 33-18 win.
Chloe Anderson, Martha Andrew and Ava Bonner were best for the Bombers.
South Warrnambool also got the points in the 15 and under reserves with a 42-10 win.
Chloe Anderson, Olivia Halliday and Gracie Pearce were best for Cobden, with Anderson scoring six goals.
South Warrnambool recorded a 32-21 win in the 13 and under netball.
Best for Cobden were Dakoda Baker, Charlotte Dean and Sienna Merrett, Dean leading the goal scorers with 12.
South Warrnambool took out the 13 and under reserves game 16-11.
Sienna Anderson, Charlotte Robertson and Mollie Rochfort were best for the Bombers, with Emma Bonner and Grace Barber scoring four goals each.
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