Sport
24 June, 2026
Bombers rattle South
COBDEN took it right up to South Warrnambool in Saturday’s round 10 Hampden League senior match, going down by just five points.
The Bombers finished strongly, kicking the last three goals of the game to fall just short in the 10.6.66 to 9.7.61 loss at Friendlies Society Park.
“It was probably one we let slip really; in the end we probably just didn’t quite capitalise on some opportunities, and just a couple of silly mistakes through the game that cost us a goal here and there when it shouldn’t have,” Cobden coach Brody Mahoney said.
“It just added up in the end and played South Warrnambool’s way.”
Mahoney took plenty of positives out of the loss.
“I was really proud of the way the boys played the majority of the game, it felt like we played, kind of on our terms and played the way we wanted to play for more than enough of the game to get a result.
“That was the only disappointing thing, was not getting the result at the end of the day.”
Matthew Kemp was Cobden’s best in the loss.
“He had an awesome game, Kempy, he was just in and under all day.
“Not only with clearances and tackling, his outside game was great as well and he ended up kicking a couple goals.”
Tully Darcy was a young player who’s game impressed Mahoney.
“Tully was really good in his first game against Camperdown a few weeks back, played as a bit of a forward for us, then against Portland, he kinda chopped in quite a bit in the ruck, and it was really good up forward.
“Then on the weekend, he played solely in the ruck with Blake Mottram then Gus Walsh giving him a chop out; he did really well considering the size difference between him and their ruckman, he’s definitely come on in leaps and bounds and if he can keep improving from what he’s been showing in the last few weeks, then he’s got a hell of a lot of upside.”
This Saturday the Bombers host Port Fairy at the Cobden Community Bank Recreation Reserve.
“We had a pretty close game against them over there last time, and obviously it’s a little bit different playing at home; the boys are definitely going to be up and about for that game knowing that they’re around about the same as us on the ladder and that we’ve beaten them before.
“We’ve been playing some pretty good footy the last few weeks and just haven’t quite got the results.
“It’d be great for our boys just to get a bit of reward for their effort over the last month if we can get the win.”
The reserves match saw Cobden record a seven point win, 5.7.37 to 4.6.30.
Best for the Bombers in the win were Edward Delaney, Tom Mahony, Sam Darcy, Lachlan Rosolin, Micah Darcy and Ryan Mottram, with Micah Darcy and Rosolin kicking two goals each and Mottram one.
In the under 18s, South Warrnambool was too strong, scoring a 19.18.132 to 1.1.7 win.
Leonard Walsh, Micah Darcy, Riley Beames and Jasper Fraser were Bombers best, with Fraser kicking the lone goal.
In the under 16s on Sunday, South Warrnambool had a big 126 point win, 21.14.140 to 2.2.14.
Ace Roberts, Will Darcy and Eamon Sloane were best for Cobden, with Roberts and Xander Weel kicking a goal each.
South Warrnambool scored a strong 7.7.49 to 0.1.1 win in the under 14 football.
Tristan O’Connor, Clem Walsh and Kaspar Hendrix were the Bombers best in the loss.
In the under 12s, South Warrnambool scored a 9.10.64 to 0.2.2 win.
Memphis Roberts, Parker Davies, Thomas Dixon, Menzel Cook and Nelson Cook were Cobden’s best.
The Open netball also saw the undefeated South Warrnambool register a 54-40 win.
Grace Taylor, Emily Finch and Macey Hicks were Cobden’s best, with Finch shooting 23 goals and Jess Bouchier 17.
The match marked coach Nadine McNamara’s 150th Open appearance for the Bombers.
After a decorated career at Colac and District team South Colac, McNamara crossed to coach Cobden in 2016.
In her time with the Bombers, the team has been a regular finals contender, with McNamara earning many accolades including HFNL team of the year selection, the Ellen Darcy MVP award and the Dot Jenkins medal.
South Warrnambool also got the points in division one with a 44-24 win.
Sarah Moroney, Isabelle Hutt and Kate Smith were best for the Bombers, with Steph Mahony shooting 21 goals.
The division two game saw a 56-24 win to South Warrnambool.
Jessica Anderson, Anna Hinkley and Emily Hickey were the Bombers best in the loss.
In division three, South Warrnambool had a 46-22 win.
Matilda Anderson, Chelsea Skuza and Caitlyn Mahony were best for Cobden, with Tonya Spokes shooting 13 goals.
The 17 and under game saw South Warrnambool have a big 57-13 win.
Sarah Bridges, Matilda Narik and Martha Andrew were best for Cobden, with Hannah Robertson shooting seven goals and Marley Howard six.
The 17 and under reserves match saw a 39-21 win to South Warrnambool.
Stephanie Fleming, Jessica MacDonald and Chloe Anderson were Cobden’s best, with Ava Bonner shooting 14 goals and Anderson seven.
The 15 and under netball saw South Warrnambool score a 43-22 win.
Dakoda Baker, Stephanie Fleming and Lily Baxter were best for Cobden, with Charlotte Dean shooting eight goals.
South Warrnambool won the 15 and under reserves 38-8.
Sienna Anderson, Olivia Bignell and Dekohda Baxter were best for the Bombers, with Emma Bonner scoring all eight goals.
The 13 and under netball saw a 41-9 win to South Warrnambool.
Zahlia Hill, Charlotte Robertson and Mahli Baxter were best for the Bombers, with Hill shooting six goals.
South Warrnambool scored a 42-3 win in the 13 and under reserves netball.
Marli Gilbert and Emerson Warren were best for the junior Bombers, with Ruby Glennen shooting two goals and Nardia Ferrari one.
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