COBDEN players can see more than a few similarities between themselves and Saturday’s opponent South Warrnambool.
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The Bombers and the Roosters are set to lock horns in a top-of-the-table clash at Friendly Societies’ Park, with one team’s undefeated start to come to an end.
In-form Cobden onballers Joel Moriarty and Angus Uwland said both clubs were starting to reap the rewards for a commitment to developing juniors in recent seasons.
“We’ve probably gone through the same pathway – a rebuild, building up through the juniors and (now we’re) starting to show the faith we’ve placed in them is paying off,” Uwland said.
“(The game) will be won and lost in the middle. Their midfield is really strong, but ours is really strong as well.”
His sentiments were echoed by Bombers vice-captain Jake Evans, who said the likes of Uwland, Brody Mahoney, Paul Foster and ruckman Levi Dare were leading the way, but their support was growing in stature.
“We’ve got the likes of Paul Pekin and all those young guys coming through and they’re not just there to give the others a rest,” Evans said. “They’re contributing as well.
“Everyone is playing for each other and playing for the jumper.”
Evans said playing “basic football” had been a key cog in Cobden’s early-season success, as well as increased fitness and endurance after a bigger pre-season for the group.
He lauded the efforts of the younger Bombers, who have been steadily accumulating experience in recent seasons.
Moriarty, only 19 himself, has been a prime example, taking the opportunity to establish a spot in the senior side.
“It’s pretty much the same team as the last couple of years, but instead of under 20 games (of experience), everyone is getting to between 30 and 50,” he said.
“Our intensity has been the main focus and, being a young side, the last couple of years it dropped off pretty easily. But this year it’s been good.”