Cobras strike as premiership race heats up
Cora Lynn edged out Warragul Industrials in less than ideal conditions on Saturday night as the Ellinbank and District football premiership race heats up.
The Cobras trailed for most of the evening before a late surge in the last quarter saw them edge ahead and hold on to win by just two points in a low scoring affair, 6-12 (48) to 6-10 (46).
Dusties kept pushing right until the finish and won a free kick for a deliberate out of bounds at half forward late in the piece, but a torpedo from Josh Peterson failed to come off as Dusties ran out of time and the Cobras held on.
The win moved the reigning premiers to second on the ladder as the Cobras jostle for favouritism with rivals Koo wee rup, Bunyip and Dusties although Nar Nar Goon, Nilma-Darnum and Neerim-Neerim South remain in the frame and would give themselves every chance should they finish in the six.
Garfield returned to their best with a big win over Ellinbank and sit just one win outside the six, but the Stars are yet to claim a scalp of note.
Cora Lynn and Warragul Industrials met in a battle between third and fourth on a heavy Cobra dome track following intermittent rain throughout the afternoon.
The conditions suited the biggerbodied Dusties unit with contested ball kings such as Tye Holland, Tyson Bale and Shane Brewster coming to the fore as the visitor maintained a slight edge throughout the majority of the contest.
The visitor controlled most of the play in the first half but couldn’t capitalise on their forward 50 entries, which gave the home side the sniff they needed to pinch it late in the game.
Cora Lynn won the first clearance, but slow ball movement cost the Cobras as Dusties were able to clear and set up Corey Nickels for the first goal of the night from 40 metres out.
Peterson, who relished the conditions, sent Dusties forward with a long kick from half back but the long shot from Tyson Bale missed.
Ryan Gillis was on the end of a long lead and converted as the Cobras began to press.
Anthony Giuliano won a free kick for a push, but he kicked into the man on the mark. The Cobras went forward again and David Main took a strong mark, but his shot missed.
Shane Brewster cleared for Dusties with a long kick, but Main was able to work back for the Cobras and spoil the kick over the line and out of bounds.
In conditions better suited to smaller players, Main worked hard and finished as the most impressive tall on the ground.
Cora Lynn switched from defence and found Ryan Gillis on a long lead, who found Ricky Clark but the Cobras were unable to convert the chance as the sides went into quarter time locked at 12 apiece.
Cora Lynn went forward through a 50 metre penalty early in the second term, but aside from that Duties had the ascendency early.
A string of behinds didn’t help the visitor’s cause as Dusties failed to capitalise on their early opportunities.
The hard work was undone when a Cora Lynn player evaded an opponent to snap truly to put the Cobras in front.
Jason Wells hit back with a snap of his own before Dusties took the ball the length of the field from a kick in to goal through Brewster.
Brewster marked and goaled late in the term to put Dusties seven points up at half time.
Giuliano won a free kick for a push early in the third term and while his shot fell short, Nathan Gillis found himself at the fall of the ball and converted with a left foot checkside from the pocket.
It was the fire starter Cora Lynn needed following a half time spray from Main, but this time it was the Cobras’ turn to miss opportunities as they scored a run of behinds to draw level.
The Cobras scrambled forward and had the Dusties defence under pressure with several soccer attempts from the goal square, but Dusties were eventually able to force the ball through.
Ryan Gillis took a strong mark but could only manage a behind, while a snap from the pocket missed everything.
Dusties won a free kick for holding the ball as Brewster kicked his third to again give the visitor a narrow advantage.
Dusties took the ball the length of the field to set up another attack, only to be beaten by the siren.
The intensity had lifted in the third term and this continued into the final quarter with both sides desperate to secure the four points.
Cora Lynn’s Lochie Peluso won the ball out wide and centred to set up the first goal for the Cobras and it was game on.
The Cobras continued to push hard but the Dusties defence was resolute, showing their desperation in smothering a snap on goal to force another behind.
Main went long for Cora Lynn, who won a free kick and a resultant 50 metre penalty for not returning the ball in an appropriate manner hurt Dusties as the Cobras hit the front.
Dusties went forward through Peterson, but Wells proved too ambitious in trying to evade his opponent and was caught holding the ball.
Peterson continued to lift for Dusties and converted to close the gap to just two points.
The tense struggle continued, only for Cora Lynn to give the ball up at half back after forcing the ball over the line.
Bale took the free kick and found Peterson, who decided the torpedo was the best option from long range.
The move didn’t pay off, with the ball sailing out on the full and the Cobras holding on for a narrow two point victory.
Main was inspirational around the ground for the Cobras, while Brady White, Clark, Nathan Gillis and Justin Markulija also won plenty of ball.
Rylan Smith was also a key player, often clearing the ball from half back.
Brewster stood up and led well for Dusties, while Peterson kept the visitors in the contest.
They were well supported by Russell Ware, Michael Ablett, Rhett O’Hara and Cooper Minichiello.