Koroit under 12's ruckman Bailey Brooks leaps high 120514AB02
Koroit under 12s player Dillon Paton gets ready to kick as teammate Jack Noonan shepherds. 120514AB01
FOR the second week in a row Koroit was on the losing end of the contest, coming home from Cobden without the four points.
The Bombers have long had a reputation as tough opponents on their own turf, and that was the case on Saturday as they held on in a tight game to win by six points.
Koroit coach Chris McLaren was a notable omission from the team, out for the season with a knee reconstruction.
McLaren watched on as his team controlled the first quarter of the game and led at the first break by 15 points.
The second quarter was a barren one for Koroit as it only registered one point, while Cobden kicked five goals to burst to a 19-point half-time advantage.
The game continued to see-saw, with Koroit making the running in the third quarter and stealing back the lead by kicking four goals to one for the period. With one point up their sleeves, the Saints went into the last quarter with hopes of a victory , but it was the Bombers that did all the attacking. Both teams kicked a goal each for the final quarter.
It was to be Koroit's only score, while Cobden also kicked seven points. This frenzy of minor scores may have frustrated the Bombers, but it also proved valuable, with Cobden winning the game by six points.
Onball star Ben Goodall was again the Saints' best player, while Ben Dobson made a good fist of his move to the backline for the day.
Brett Harrington and Dave Pullen gave the Saints extra zip at ground level, while James Mugavin is becoming a very reliable performer. Coming off two losses, things don't get any easier for Koroit this Saturday as it comes up against reigning premiers South Warrnambool.
A loss to the Roosters would put Koroit back in the pack with three wins and three losses . However, a win would put the Saints in a position of strength for the next third of the season.
Cobden 8.18 (66) defeated Koroit 8.12 (60)
Goals: Bradley Williams 2, Brady Purcell 1, Brett Harrington 1, Benjamin Dobson 1, Ben Goodall 1, Joe McLaren 1, Sam Dobson 1. Best: Ben Goodall, Benjamin Dobson, Jeremy Hausler, David Pullen, Brett Harrington, James Mugavin.
RESERVES
There were some good signs for the Koroit reserves after they won their third game of the season with a 53-point win over the Bombers. One of the big positives for Koroit was the return from injury of Daniel Harrington who was among the best players. Harrington will be pushing for senior selection with his ability to play as a tall defender sure to be attractive to the Saints' selectors.
UNDER 18s
After a slow start Koroit finished over the top of Cobden for a good win last Saturday. The Saints trailed by a goal at half-time but a six goal to one second half got them home by 21 points. Jayden Whitehead kicked four goals, while Jonty Tobias, Tom Lynch and Kevin McElgunn were also great players on the day.
JUNIORS
The junior teams travelled to play South Warrnambool last Sunday and the under 12s started the day with a tight-fought tussle with the Roosters. In the under 14s, South Warrnambool won by 30 points with most of the damage being done in the first half when the Roosters led by 48 points at half-time. Koroit fought out the game well to reduce the final margin against the Roosters who are the top team in the competition.
The weather conditions were tough for the under 16s game . Again, it was the start that cost Koroit, with the Roosters leading by 50 points at half-time and finally winning by 74 points.