Sport
2 July, 2025
Slow start costly for Bombers
IT was a tough trip to Koroit’s Victoria Park on Saturday for Cobden’s senior footballers, with the Bombers suffering a 69 point loss.
“We just didn’t start well,” lamented Cobden coach Brody Mahoney.
“By the time we clicked into our style of game Koroit was well on top.”
Koroit won the first three quarters in its 15.10.100 to 4.7.31 win, with Cobden outscoring the home team by three points in the final term.
“The last quarter was by far our best,” Mahoney said.
“Our game style in general was better in the second half, it was a closer contest in the third and fourth quarters.”
Captain Paul Pekin was Cobden’s best in the loss.
“As always, Paul was really, really good, he was hard at it in what was a very physical game.
“Paul copped some hits but just keeps getting on with it.”
Luke Smith and Arthur ‘Alf’ Armstrong were also in the Bombers best.
“Luke is just super consistent week after week in the midfield,” Mahoney said.
“Alf was really strong and again gave Matt Clarke a good chop out in the ruck.”
With the interleague break this week, Cobden’s next game will be a home game against Terang Mortlake on July 12.
Koroit dominated the reserves football clash, scoring a 20.13.133 to 4.1.25 win.
Thomas Spokes kicked all four of Cobden’s goals, with Luke Hickey, Brodie Foster and Tully Darcy the Bombers best.
Koroit was also too strong in the under 18 game, winning 11.15.81 to 1.1.7.
Ryan Mottram, Kayden Daffy and Bailey Clarke were best for the under 18 Bombers, Daffy kicking the only goal.
In the under 16s at Cobden on Sunday, Koroit scored a 12.14.86 to no score victory.
Logan Lyne, Lachlan Haynes and Tyler Bailey were Cobden’s best.
The under 14 game also saw Koroit win, 7.10.52 to 3.3.21.
Xander Kent, Cooper Unwin and Rhys Darcy best for the Bombers.
Cobden got the points in the under 12 football with a 4.4.28 to 2.3.15 win.
Oscar Dart, Crawford Dunn and Nash Kent were the best for the junior Bombers.
In the Open netball, Cobden led for three quarters before being overrun in the final term.
Koroit scored 23 goals to Cobden’s eight in the last quarter to run out 58-45 winners.
“Super disappointed, the way we finished was not our brand,” Cobden coach Nadine McNamara said.
The Bombers opened strongly, leading 14-7 at quarter time, and still led by four goals at half time.
By the final change they still held a two-goal lead.
“We came out with great intensity in the first quarter,” McNamara said.
“Koroit matched that intensity in the second and third quarters, the game was a real hot contest.”
For McNamara, the final quarter performance was a bitter pill to swallow.
“Koroit used their rolling subs really well throughout the game and were fresh in the last term.
“They had a few big intercepts and got away from us which was disappointing.”
Stand-in goal shooter Molly Hutt was rated as best for the Bombers.
“Molly was incredible when we could deliver the ball to her,” McNamara said of Hutt’s 20 goal performance.
Sophie Hinkley with 14 goals and Jaymie Finch with 11 were Cobden’s other scorers.
McNamara also had centre Lara Taylor in her best players in a game where Cobden were missing first choice players Nikki Clover, Sarah Moroney and Jess McGlade.
The Bombers head into this week’s break in fourth position, now two wins behind third placed Koroit.
“We’re still hopeful of a top three position, we will regroup and put in a solid block of training to hit the second half of the season strongly.”
In the division one netball, Koroit recorded a 34-25 win.
Jess Walsh, Matilda Darcy and Kyla Groves were Cobden’s best, with Hannah Anderson scoring 13 goals and Jess Bouchier 12.
In the division two netball, Cobden recorded a 37-28 win.
Hailey Mahoney scored a match high 31 goals, with Leah Dickson, Morgan Nelson and Ruby Suhan best players for the Bombers.
Koroit got the points in division three with a 39-23 win.
Jacque Dickson, Sophie Hickey and Aiesha Ireland were best for the Bombers, with Maggie Conheady scoring 10 goals.
The 17 and under game saw Koroit score a 62-16 win.
Mia McVilly, Hannah Robertson and Matilda Anderson were best for the under 17 Bombers.
The 17 and under reserves game also went Koroit’s way, 43-20.
Marley Howard, Hannah Robertson and Emily Hickey were best for Cobden, Hickey shooting 13 goals.
Koroit had a thumping 67-13 win in the 15 and under netball.
Isabella Wain, Martha Andrew and Zaya Howard were best for the Bombers, Wain scoring nine goals.
Koroit also got the points in the 15 and under reserves with a 27-16 win.
Gracie Pearce, Chloe Anderson and Olivia Halliday were best for Cobden, with Anderson scoring 10 goals.
Koroit recorded a big 60-22 win in the 13 and under netball.
Best for Cobden were Sienna Merrett, Charlotte Dean and Stephanie Fleming, Dean leading the goal scorers with 15.
Koroit took out the 13 and under reserves game 26-9.
Emma Bonner with four goals and Grace Barber with three were top scorers for Cobden.
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