Cobras break long drought

By Ken Moore
CORA Lynn reserves claimed their first premiership since 1978 after defeating Bunyip by 22 points.
The Cobras went into halftime leading by only two points after majors by Cam Haynes and Dan Healey before Bunyip hit back on the siren with a goal by Troy Kneebone.
In the first half, both teams struggled to come to terms with the swirly wind but Bunyip should have been in front with greater possession but it sprayed many shots on goal.
Early in the third, a long bomb by Haynes from well outside 50 was followed by free kick and conversion by Steve Maling to extend Cora Lynn’s lead to 17 points at threequarter time.
Coming home with the aid of the wind, Bunyip was not without a big chance and when Trevor Robertson drilled home an inspirational goal on the run the Bulldogs trimmed the margin back to only 11 points with well over 15 minutes left.
But Bunyip’s challenge drew an eager response from Cora Lynn with a reply by Haynes after both a strong mark and free kick.
At the 13minute mark, Cora Lynn’s Jake O’Sullivan pulled in a wonderfully judged mark and scored with a clever boomerang kick to put the game out of Bunyip’s reach.
The Bulldogs made little headway over the final seven minutes and Cora Lynn, also the minor premiers, went on to record a 22point victory.
Cobra utility Matt Hobson was awarded the VCFL medal for best on ground and has been a standout over the final series. In a lowscoring game Haynes, with three goals, gave the Cobras a good target and was the most productive forward on the ground.
Brett Dicker, Tim Payne and Will Van Diemen all covered plenty of territory and won more than their fair share of the ball around the packs while ruckman John Nicholls showed good athleticism, read play well and stifled many dangerous Bunyip attacks.
The Bulldogs were well served by forwards Troy Kneebone and Joeby Boyes who presented well and Darren Blaney, Leigh Carmody and Steve Berryman who all put in honest fourquarter efforts.