General News
26 May, 2021
Cobden hits HFNL winners’ list
COBDEN coach Adam Courtney is hoping his side’s first win of 2021 can trigger a rise up the ladder.
COBDEN coach Adam Courtney is hoping his side’s first win of 2021 can trigger a rise up the ladder.
The Bombers became just the second side this season to defeat league surprise packet Portland under lights at Hanlon Reserve, recording its first collection of four points in the process.
Courtney was pleased with the result, but it came at a cost for his side which lost Patrick Smith (concussion) and Tom Spokes (back) to injury in the opening term.
The pair join an extensive injury list and while the Bombers mentor has tried to avoid discussing its impact, he acknowledged it had influenced his side in the opening six rounds.
“We haven’t tried to talk about our injury list too much but we’ve probably been missing eight out of best side every week which has been putting a lot of pressure on the boys,” Courtney said.
“We had some really good inclusions (on Saturday) which gave us a better-balanced side while our effort and intent was right on from the first bounce which was pleasing.
“We tackled well too. Portland are a young and quick side that likes to move the footy quickly so it was really important we put pressure on around the ball.
“We lost Patty Smith in the first 10 minutes and Tom Spokes got a knee in the back at the 20 minute mark so to be two men down for pretty much three quarters and still grind out a win was sensational.”
A best on ground performance from Sam Thow (two goals) and strong games from ruckman Mark Marriott and defender Christian Koroneos ensured the Bombers recorded an 11.8 (74) to 10.8 (68) triumph.
Courtney, who said his side would receive an injection of confidence from its victory, is hopeful the performance can now reignite his side’s season as it aims to rebound from a five game losing streak.
He said the win was a “great reward and was a sign of positive things to come for the group”.
“I think when you’re losing every week your confidence levels do get shot a bit and now we’ve got the reward hopefully the confidence levels will grow,” Courtney said.
“It will be a pretty big thing for us because they had won a couple in a row but now we’ve got to go and put it all together again in a big game this week against Terang Mortlake.
“That’s going to be my main message this week, we can’t just win one and then go back to losing so it’s a big game.
“But everything has been pretty positive, there’s been a really good feeling around the club but now with the win hopefully we can go onwards and upwards.”
The Bombers (10th) and Bloods (eighth) are set to meet at Cobden Community Bank Reserve, a clash Courtney said was imperative for his team to win.
“Obviously the teams outside the five are pretty evenly matched, just about anyone can beat anyone,”he said.
“Terang Mortlake have won a couple and over the years they have had the wood over Cobden so that is something we’ll talk about too.
“But if we bring that same effort and intent and play like we did Saturday night we’ll hopefully get the right result.”
Smith is set to miss this weekend’s clash against the Bloods while Spokes was still to be assessed at training on Thursday night.
Wingman Sam Giblett is expected to return, while Louis Robertson is also set to be in the mix for selection.
Cobden’s open netball side extended its winning streak to six games with a 56-49 victory.
Molly Hutt (21 goals), Lara Taylor and Amy Hammond were the side’s best players.