Sport
16 July, 2025
Bombers dominate
COBDEN scored its third senior football win of the season on Saturday, defeating Terang Mortlake in round 12 of Hampden League.
A dominant second quarter was the catalyst for the Bombers’ 14.14.98 to 9.12.66 win at the Cobden Community Bank Recreation Reserve.
“The boys just played good, strong footy all day,” a pleased Cobden coach Brody Mahoney said.
Terang Mortlake kicked with the advantage of the wind in the first quarter, yet only led by a point at the first change.
“The first quarter was flat out, it took both teams a while to settle,” Mahoney said.
“We played really well in the second quarter and made the most of our chances.”
The Bombers kicked seven goals to none in the second term to go in to the half-time break 43 points up.
The Bloods came out and kicked six goals to none in the third quarter to be a goal down at the final change.
“Terang Mortlake responded well in the third quarter, it took our boys a bit to control the tempo of the game,” Mahoney said.
“There weren’t many goals kicked to the factory end all day so we knew it would be hard for them in the last quarter.”
A six goal to two final term in Cobden’s favour saw the home team run out 32-point winners.
“It was a good way to finish the game, we worked hard for the win.”
Under 18 player Ryan Mottram made his senior debut as a late call up for Matt Clarke.
“Ryan was warming up for the under 18s when the call was made to put him into the seniors,” Mahoney said.
“Carlton AFL footballer Sam Walsh was there and presented Ryan with his jumper before the game, Ryan is a massive Carlton fan so it’s something I’m sure he will never forget.”
Mottram managed to make a big impact in his debut, kicking two goals and being named in Cobden’s best.
“Ryan played really well in a key position role and was a great option for us all day.
“He probably could have kicked a couple more goals, he passed a few off.”
Matthew Kemp was named Cobden’s best for his role on Terang Mortlake coach Lewis Taylor.
“Matty had a different role today, he went head to head with Lewy Taylor and came out on top,” Mahoney said.
“Lewy is a star of the competition, it’s rare a player can get the best of him but Matty did as well as finding plenty of his own ball, it was a great performance.
“Joe Hutt also had an important role on (Terang captain) Joe Arundell who can be such a damaging player.
“Joe played that role strongly and kept Arundell really quiet.”
Key forward Michael Koroneos kicked five goals, with Mahoney pleased with the spread of goal kickers.
“Mick (Koroneos) and Ryan (Mottram) were great targets, but our small fleet around them were really good too and hit the scoreboard.”
This week the Bombers head to Hamilton and will be looking to register a fourth win of the season.
“Hamilton always play well at home, they are getting some players back, we will have to go up there with the same intensity as we showed on Saturday.”
In the reserves football, Cobden had a 7.6.48 to 6.6.42 win.
Tully Darcy, Jonty Robertson and Luke Hickey were Cobden’s best, with Darcy and Louis Robertson kicking two goals each.
The under 18 game saw Terang Mortlake get the points with an 8.7.55 to 7.5.47 win.
Oscar Norman kicked three goals and Rusty Ponting two for Cobden, with Hamish Dean, Ponting and Finn Castledine best for the Bombers.
In the under 16s at Mortlake on Sunday, Terang Mortlake was dominant, recording a 13.17.95 to no score win.
Lenny Walsh, Daniel Nguena and Archie White were best for Cobden in the loss.
In the under 14 game, Cobden had a 12 point win, 6.3.39 to 3.9.27.
Sam Mahncke, Flynn Maloney and Alby Jones were Cobden’s best, with Mahncke, Jones and Fletcher White kicking two goals each.
Terang Mortlake had a 4.9.33 to 1.2.8 win in the under 12 football.
Charlie Dunn kicked the Bombers only goal, with Carter Murfett, Ruben Perriss and Jett Daffy best for Cobden.
In the Open netball, Cobden scored a thumping 84-37 win.
“It was a great win in a game we needed to assert ourselves in,” Cobden coach Nadine McNamara said.
The Bombers dominated the entire match, scoring 20 or more goals in all four quarters.
“We’ve been doing lots of preliminary work on our transition, that aspect of our game was really open on Saturday,” McNamara said.
“To have the concentration and execution we had for the entire game on Saturday was really pleasing.”
A forward shuffle due to the late withdrawal of regular goal shooter Nikki Clover didn’t hurt the Bombers with Sophie Hinkley and Jaymie Finch scoring 47 and 37 goals respectively.
“Sophie slipped into the goal attack role and was incredible, both her and Jaymie moved around the circle well,” McNamara said.
“Sophie is hard to match up on with the hard work she does, she was so accurate with her scoring too.”
Goal keeper Remeny McCann and wing attack Sophie Blain were also in Cobden’s best alongside Hinkley.
“Remeny did an incredible job reading the play and with her intercepts.
“Sophie’s timing and connection with Sophie Hinkley was fantastic.”
With Grace Taylor making a successful return in the division one game after seven weeks out with an ankle injury and Amy Hammond set to return, McNamara is looking forward to an important stretch of games ahead.
“We are getting close to full strength, there’s some big games coming up as we look to push into that top three.”
In the division one netball, Cobden led all day to record a 38-25 win.
Ashlee Merrett, Jessica Walsh and Kate Smith were Cobden’s best, with Jessica Bouchier shooting 18 goals and Grace Taylor 9.
Cobden also got the points in division two with a 38-29 win.
Kayla Hunter, Hailey Mahony and Jessica Anderson were best for the Bombers, with Mahony scoring 26 goals and Morgan Nelson 12.
Terang Mortlake scored a 35-17 win in the division three game.
Rebecca Foster, Amy Kavenagh and Caitlyn Mahony were best for the Bombers, Foster top scoring with seven goals.
Terang Mortlake was too strong in the 17 and under game, registering a 58-15 win.
Marley Howard and Mia McVilly scored six goals each and were named as Cobden’s best along with Hannah Robertson.
Terang Mortlake also got the points in the 17 and under reserves netball with a 29-16 win.
Marley Howard, Hannah Robertson and Matilda Anderson were best for Cobden, with Howard scoring nine goals.
In the 15 and under netball, Terang Mortlake scored a 35-15 victory.
Best for Cobden were Isabella Wain, Ava Bonner and Maddison Fisher, with Bonner shooting nine goals and Wain six.
In the 15 and under reserves, Terang Mortlake scored a 26-17 win.
For Cobden, Ava Bonner scored 11 goals, with Savannah Beames, Olivia Halliday and Chali Robbins the Bombers’ best.
Cobden had a strong 32-6 win in the 13 and under netball.
Dakoda Baker, Charlotte Dean and Olivia Bignell were best for the Bombers, with Dean scoring 19 goals and Bignell nine.
The 13 and under reserves game saw Cobden score a 24-4 win.
Emma Bonner scored 16 goals, with Charlotte Robbins, Amelia Katsaros and Sienna Anderson best for the Bombers.
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