Cora Lynn has won its second E&DFL premiership after an emphatic 78 point victory over Kooweerup in front of a large crowd at the Garfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday. The Cobras set up their win with a six goal to one second quarter to extend a two point lead at quarter time into commanding 33 point break at the half time interval.
Cora Lynn had little trouble closing out the game in the second half and finished full of running with a seven goal to two last term to reinforce their superiority. Having played in every final series since 2006 and three consecutive preliminary final appearances (2011-2013) - as well as finishing the minor premiers this season few could begrudge a Cobra flag. Seemingly tired by last week’s superb effort in the preliminary final Kooweerup could not reproduce the form they showed throughout the season.
Kooweerup seeking its first premiership since 1981 made a perfect start when star Pakenham recruit Paul Gramc kicked a goal from well over 60 metres that bounced through the big sticks within 30 seconds of the opening bounce but thereafter the game tightened up and all possession were hard earned. The Demons applied plenty of pressure in the opening quarter yet had little to show for it and went into the quarter time break two points in arrears.
Too many Kooweerup players fumbled the ball during the term. Hard at the ball Cora Lynn half back Jack Allen was superb in the opening quarter.
In the second quarter the Cobra running brigade of Ricky Clarke, Brady White, Nathan Gillis, Luke and Sean Marchetti went to work and took over the midfield and it enabled the minor premiers to ram on six goals to one and take a stranglehold on the game. Cora Lynn speedster Jackson Dalton drilled through three goals while Anthony Giuliano, Nathan and Ryan Gillis also pitched in with majors during the term.
Kooweerup fought hard in the third quarter but could not make any inroads on the scoreboard and trailed by 48 points at the last break. The Cobra midfield with sustained good support from ruckman Brad Horaczko and David Main continued to control the flow of the game and took an unbeatable lead into the last quarter.
Sky high on confidence Cora Lynn added a further seven goals in the last quarter to deservedly win the 2014 West Division premiership. It was a triumph for their first year coach Travis Marsham. He joined the Cobras from Gembrook-Cockatoo over summer and brought three of his charges, rover Ricky Clark, running defender Nathan Muratore and ruckman David Main and all three had a big say in the victory. Clark was superb and won the best on ground medal voted by the umpires.
Hard at the ball Cora Lynn half back Jack Allen was no less prolific and along with ever consistent captain Tim Payne both provided the ballast in defence. Fleet footed midfielders Nathan Gillis, Luke and Sean Marchetti, Brady White and Jeremy Monckton all made their presence felt a number of times.
It is fair to say Kooweerup was not swept up by the occasion - more so last week’s energy draining effort to get over Garfield took it toll on them after quarter time. Young gun Andrew Proctor, who is still eligible for the thirds played like a seasoned performer across half back while another under age player Bailey Galante also played with maturity beyond his years in a number of negating roles. Across centre half forward Paul Gramc gave the Cobra defence plenty to think about with his nimble footwork and footy smarts while Steven Greaves, Kain Wedlock and Craig Dyker came to the rescue many times in defence. Midfielder Josh Winter picked up good numbers and never say die Demon stalwart Rhys Morgan in possibly his last game with the club due to an impending move to Northern Victoria tried hard to lift his side with quite a few centre clearances in the second half.
Congratulations to the Cora Lynn football club on superb year!
In the under card Cora Lynn had mixed success. The Cobras won the flag in the fifths but went down in a thriller to Nar Nar Goon in the thirds. All was not lost on the day for Kooweerup who took some comfort that it has some top youngsters coming through the ranks after it won the flag in the fourths while Nar Nar Goon held the premiership cup aloft in the reserves.
Last Modified on 20/09/2014 23:36