Sport

28 May, 2025

Bombers strong against Blues

COBDEN’S senior footballers took it right up to Warrnambool all day at Reid Oval but ultimately fell short, the Blues winning 14.10.94 to 12.8.80.

“We battled hard all day, unfortunately we wasted some opportunities and that cost us in the end,” rued Bomber coach Brody Mahoney said.

“Warrnambool got away for a bit in the third quarter, apart from that it was a very even contest.”

Winless so far in 2025, Mahoney remains upbeat.

“We’re playing much better than being none and seven would suggest, we’ve been right in every game with the exception of round one against South Warrnambool,” Mahoney said.

Patrick Smith returned to the Bombers line-up, playing his first game since round 13 of last year due to concussion issues.

“Pat played a really good game back in the team, he was definitely tested physically but he stood up well, it was like he hadn't been away,” Mahoney said.

“Paul Pekin also returned from his hamstring injury and played really well.”

Former Cobden player Ben Berry, now at Geelong Football League club St Marys, played for the Bombers on permit.

“Ben was super for us, kicked two goals and made us much more dangerous up forward,” Mahoney said.

In form Warrnambool forward Luke Cody bagged nine goals in the win.

“Cody was very hard to stop, made the most of his opportunities, he really was the difference in the game,” Mahoney said.

Key defender Gus Walsh was named as best for the Bombers.

“Gus plays on one of the opposition’s best forwards every week, he really hasn’t been beaten this year, he reads the footy really well and has good hands,” Mahoney said.

“He’ll be scary for other teams when he fully develops.”

Three other young Walsh’s also are impressing the Cobden leader.

“Campbell, Parker and Eddie Walsh have been fantastic since coming into the team, the way they handle the ball, how clean they are and their composed disposal is very impressive,” Mahoney said.

“They all look like they’ve already played 50 games.”

Ahead this week is Camperdown at the Cobden Community Bank Recreation Reserve.

“It doesn’t matter where both teams are on the ladder, it’s always a big match,” Mahoney said.

“We are keen to have a crack and get a win on the board.”

A fast finishing Cobden lost the reserves match with a similar scoreline to the senior game, 15.7.97 to 13.6.84.

Down by 45 points at three quarter time, the Bombers kicked seven goals to two in the final quarter to push the Blues.

Thomas Spokes and Simpson permit player Isaac Holland kicked three goals each, with Angus Molan, Billy McGlade and Ash Rosolin best for the Bombers reserves.

Warrnambool had a thumping win in the under 18s, 16.7.103 to 1.3.9.

Noah Bignell, Rusty Ponting and Broly Henderson were best for Cobden.

Warrnambool also had a big win in the under 16 game played at Cobden on Sunday, 17.16.118 to 2.0.12.

Captain Lennie Walsh and Logan Lyne were the goal scorers for the Bombers, with Walsh, Micah Darcy and Rusty Ponting best for the Bombers.

The under 14 football saw Warrnambool win 14.13.97 to Cobden’s no score.

Ryan Bailey, Alby Jones and Samuel Robertson best for the under 14 Bombers.

Warrnambool also proved too strong in the under 12s, winning 11.5.71 to 0.1.1.

Liam Smith, Rory Wheeler and Jack Bourke were best for the junior Bombers.

A narrow loss for Cobden’s Open netballers against Warrnambool, going down 50-47.

“We got really close, pushed them all day, and I’m really proud of our efforts,” Bombers coach Nadine McNamara said.

Goal shooter Nikki Clover returned to the Cobden lineup, scoring 35 goals.

“Nikki was strong, positioned well, we’re hopeful to have her back for the rest of the season,” McNamara said.

Sophie Hinkley and Remeny McCann were also named as best for Cobden alongside Clover.

“Sophie shows her experience and maturity every time she plays, she’s always composed, she played a fantastic game,” McNamara said.

“Rem caused multiple turnovers, she really gives the opposition something to think about with how she plays in defence.”

Upcoming for the fourth placed Cobden are matches against Camperdown, fifth, and Portland, sixth.

“The next two weeks are important for our top three chances, we really need to do well in them,” McNamara said.

Cobden had a big win in the division one netball, 48-19.

Hannah Anderson scored 25 goals and Jessica Bouchier 23, with Matilda Darcy, Jessica Walsh and Kyla Groves best for the Bombers.

Warrnambool won the division two netball 40-35.

Hailey Mahony top scored with 19 goals for Cobden with Morgan Nelson scoring 15.

Nelson was named as Cobden’s best along with Courtney Gatens and Anna Dickson.

Warrnambool had a big 44-14 win in the division three game.

Georgia Darcy, Eisha Howard and Cara Wheatley were best for Cobden, Rebecca Foster top scoring with ten goals.

The 17 and under netball saw Warrnambool win 37-21.

The Blues were up 19-3 at half time, both teams scoring 18 goals each in the second half.

For Cobden, Emily Hickey shot 12 goals and Athena Chivell nine, both were named in the Bombers best alongside Marley Howard.

Cobden had a 29-24 win in the 17 and under reserves.

Mia McVilly was best on court, with Emily Hickey and Marley Howard also named in the best, Hickey and Howard scored 13 and 16 goals respectively.

Warrnambool had a strong 48-14 win in the 15 and under netball.

Isabella Wain, Athena Chivell and Zaya Howard best for Cobden, with Ava Bonner scoring eight goals and Wain six.

Warrnambool had a 34-14 win in the 15 and under reserves.

Ava Bonner scored 10 goals for Cobden and was named as best with Charlotte Dean and Chloe Anderson.

The 13 and under game was a 30-15 win to Cobden.

Charlotte Dean scored 17 goals and Olivia Bignell 12, with Dakoda Baker, Lily Baxter and Grace Hester the Bombers best.

Cobden also had a strong 26-9 win in the 13 and under reserves.

Grace Barber and Emma Bonner scored nine goals each and Amelia Katsaros eight, with Taja Delaney-Hutchins, Mollie Rochfort and Katsaros best for the Bombers.