General News
27 October, 2021
Cockatoos aiming high as bowls start nears
COBDEN is eyeing off a strong start as it aims to make its way back into the Corangamite bowls finals series.
COBDEN is eyeing off a strong start as it aims to make its way back into the Corangamite bowls finals series.
The Cockatoos were last season’s hard luck story, losing by a shot in the final round of the season to finish sixth.
It capped off a disappointing campaign for the Street-based club, which lost four of its first five games before it found form.
The shortened season meant wins were imperative, particularly early, but the Cockatoos played catch-up in the finals rounds, with a COVID abandonment also hurting its cause.
Selector Nick Kemp conceded his club was disappointed with its 2020/21 campaign and had identified early wins as crucial to kick-starting its season.
“The biggest thing for us is starting off the year well,” he said.
“Last year it came back to bite us in the bum having a slow start and we were chasing the pack the whole time and just couldn’t get there.
“We want to start strong and hit the ground running.”
Remarkably clubs ranked from fourth to ninth last season were separated by just rink points and percentage after each club posted three wins apiece.
A draw between Camperdown Golf and Simpson also cost those sides a finals berth, with the gap between fourth-ranked Colac Central and the eighth-placed Tigers just 10 points.
Kemp said his club was setting its sights high but was expecting another hotly-contested season given 12 games are fixtured following a delayed start.
“We want to make finals (this year) so obviously the top four is our aim for sure,” he said.
“Overall it’s a pretty tight comp, Colac is probably the best team in it and Colac (2) is one of the weaker ones and they’re still hard to beat.
“Camperdown and Camperdown Golf have both recruited well and will be out to win a few more games this year, moreso Golf because Camperdown finished in the top three last year.
“Winchelsea are also back in it and they’ll be tough to beat down there.”
The Cockatoos have fared well on the player recruitment front, with the likes of Joe Hutt and Colin Whiteside to be considered recruits given they missed extended periods last season.
Bazil Hammond is another who could feature in the top grade, while Greg Rooke has crossed to the club from Simpson.
“With Joe coming back, he’ll probably play as a third which is a position we need filling losing Fitzy (Graeme Fitzgerald),” Kemp said.
“Joe can cover that spot and then Col will most likely come in as a leader which we also need.”
The Cockatoos are on the road against Colac (2) in the opening round of the season.