Sport
20 May, 2026
Costly first quarter for Bombers
COBDEN had a 15-point loss to Warrnambool in the round six Hampden League senior football match at Reid Oval on Saturday.
The Blues kicked five goals to none in the first quarter before the Bombers made it an even contest for the rest of the game, with final scores finishing on 10.15.75 to 8.12.60.
“It was a good toss to win yesterday, Warrnambool came out of the gates pretty hot and played a really good first quarter, utilising the breeze, and that was the buffer for the majority of the game,” Cobden coach Brody Mahoney said.
“The breeze died off a little bit for the rest of the game, which made it better viewing for everyone and a better game of footy.
“We didn’t defend well enough early and probably some basic skill errors in the first quarter cost us a few goals as well.”
Mahoney was pleased with how his team played the rest of the game after quarter-time.
“The way we played the last three quarters was really good, it was fast paced between the arcs, we probably didn’t make the most of a few opportunities where we could have put a bit more scoreboard pressure on.
“But credit to them, they defended quite well and all in all, probably the first quarter was just that little bit costly in a game that wasn’t a super high-scoring game by all means.”
Matt Kemp was best for the Bombers in the loss.
“Matty played really well, he was just really good in and around the contest, and his pressure was great as well; he leads by example.
“He’s starting to find some form which is really good, he had a really good game last week as well.”
Paul Pekin was also in the best for Cobden.
“Paul’s starting to get a bit more match fitness and starting to get back to his kind of better footy as well.
“Conditions really suited him with a lot of stoppages, he was able to use his strengths a lot and play his best game for the year.”
Archie Taylor, Joe Hutt, Jia Anderson and Michael Koroneos were also in the best for the Bombers, with Pekin the only multiple goal kicker with two.
Cobden unveiled a senior debutant in young key position player Blake Mottram.
“Blake made his debut and certainly made a bit of an impact as well, playing at centre half forward for us.
“He’s had really good form in the twos, he played as good a game as you could ask for from a first gamer.
“He led up, took some marks and made his presence felt which was really good for a young fella to play in that key position.”
This week is a league bye, with Cobden’s next game on May 30 against Koroit at Cobden.
“It’s been a pretty solid six weeks really, it’s probably the first year in a few years that we haven’t really had a bye after three or four rounds.
“At the moment we’re relatively healthy, but I’m sure with having a lot of younger bodies the boys would be loving the freshen up and reset, we’ll set some kind of mid-season goals and hopefully get a few more wins.”
In the reserves, Warrnambool had an 11.3.69 to 6.9.45 win.
Tully Darcy, Lachie Davis, Sam Darcy and Kayleb Bignell were the Bombers best, with Kurtis Baker kicking two goals.
Warrnambool was too strong in the under 18s, scoring a thumping 23.19.157 to 3.1.19 win.
Leonard Walsh, Rusty Ponting, Micah Darcy and Noah Bignell were Cobden’s best, with Ponting kicking two goals and Jaspar Fraser one.
Cobden’s under 16, under 14 and under 12 footballers had the weekend off, with those teams set to play Warrnambool at Cobden this Sunday.
HAMPDEN FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 6
SENIOR FOOTBALL
WARRNAMBOOL v COBDEN
Warrnambool 10.15 (75) defeated Cobden 8.12 (60)
Best Players:
Warrnambool: Riley Holloway, Liam Bidmade, Jackson Bell, Rhys Buck, Luke Cody, Hugh Morgan
Cobden: Matthew Kemp, Paul Pekin, Archie Taylor, Joe Hutt, Jia Anderson, Michael Koroneos
Goal Kickers:
Warrnambool: Rhys Buck 3, Liam Bidmade 2, Luke Cody 2, Angus Lowe, Charlie Mahony-Gilchrist, Reggie Mast
Cobden: Paul Pekin 2, Louis Darcy, Matthew Drayton, Jordan Fowler, Michael Koroneos, Henry Robertson, Archie Taylor
Cobden made it three Open netball wins in a row, defeating Warrnambool 48-46.
“It actually seesawed a bit throughout the match, the resilience the girls showed to fight back from the second quarter deficit to put us in a position to win was something I’m really proud of,” Cobden coach Nadine McNamara said.
Five straight goals in the middle of the last quarter to the Bombers put them in control.
“I think the game was full of different momentum swings, and that time was probably really pivotal to help us build momentum into those final minutes.
“And I think there was only then a couple of minutes to go in the game, and we were controlling the tempo and controlling the lead, and we did quite well in those final moments to maintain possession and make sure we were scoring efficiently and passes were made to ensure that win.”
Emily Finch shot 32 goals for Cobden and was named best.
“Em has been a standout the past few weeks for us, she’s been super consistent and really finding her best form.
“We knew that she’d build into the season, and we feel like we’re seeing the best of Em at the moment, super proud of Em, she was very, very dominant for us.”
Grace Taylor was also in Cobden’s best, along with McNamara.
“Grace ran through our mid-court and has played a lot more consistent open time this year compared to previous seasons, she’s looking really strong and putting in really consistent performances.
“Grace shows maturity beyond her years and is making some really great decisions with her ball usage, she was fantastic.”
The win sees Cobden just out of the top five on percentage only from fifth placed Warrnambool.
“With those couple of losses early, we knew we put ourselves into a position that we’re going to have to try and keep winning.
“We wanted to get this one, and we know the next three or four weeks are really important for us to keep us in the hunt to try and play finals.”
Cobden also had a win in the division one game, 40-34.
Bombers best were Jessica Walsh, Macey Hicks and Hannah Anderson, with Anderson scoring 21 goals.
In division two, Warrnambool had a 41-38 win.
Steph Mahony shot 34 goals, with Tilly Dent, Eisha Howard and Ashlee Merrett best for Cobden.
The division three game saw Cobden have a big 37-9 win.
Charlotte Meade, Mia McVilly and Eisha Howard were Cobden’s best, with Howard scoring 21 goals and Maggie Conheady both scoring 16 goals.
The 17 and under netball saw Warrnambool score a strong 71-12 win.
Marley Howard, Chali Robbins and Sophie Halliday were best for the Bombers, with Howard shooting seven goals.
Warrnambool also got the points in the 17 and under reserves with a 39-16 win.
Lily Baxter, Jessica MacDonald and Sophie Halliday were Cobden’s best in the loss.
The 15 and under game saw Warrnambool win 30-22.
Grace Hester, Bridie Roberts and Lily Baxter were best for Cobden, with Grace Hester shooting 13 goals.
Warrnambool had a 26-8 win in the 15 and under reserves.
Emma Bonner, Mollie Rochfort and Olivia Bignell were the Bombers best in the win, with Emma Bonner shooting five goals.
The 13 and under netball ended in a 26-26 draw.
Sienna Merrett, Katie Hansford, Zahlia Hill were Cobden’s best, with Hill scoring 17 goals and Charlotte Robertson nine.
The 13 and under reserves netball also went Warrnambool’s way, 35-13.
Ella Davis and Alexis Bamford were best for the Bombers in the loss, with Charlotte Phillips shooting seven goals.
HAMPDEN FOOTBALL NETBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 6
OPEN NETBALL
WARRNAMBOOL v COBDEN
Warrnambool 46 lost to Cobden 48
Best Players:
Warrnambool: Sarah Perry, Lucy Howland, Eva Ryan
Cobden: Emily Finch, Jessica Walsh, Nadine McNamara
Goal Scorers:
Warrnambool: Eva Ryan 40, Amy Wormald 4, Rachael Seabright 2
Cobden: Emily Finch 32, Jessica Bouchier 10, Jaymie Finch 6
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