Cobden remains in Hampden league top-three hunt after defeating Warrnambool

Dare celebrated accordingly after kicking the sealer in the Bombers’ come-from-behind win over a plucky Warrnambool at Reid Oval on Saturday.

The Bombers booted five of the last six goals to turn a 20-point deficit into a 15.11 (101) to 15.6 (96) victory – a result which helped them leapfrog South Warrnambool in third spot.

“It came off the toe. I couldn’t believe it got the distance,” Dare said of his goal.

“It was lucky I was kicking to that end (of the ground) because it would have landed 30 metres out at the other end. I didn’t hit it real well but it came back, straightened up and just got there.

“I knew we needed a goal and I was happy it went through.”

Warrnambool, in a rebuild and out of finals contention, stunned Cobden early with its run-and-gun style.

The fleet-footed Blues opened up the Bombers, who were without injured forward Nick Harding, to take a 24-point lead into the first break.

Cobden, through the work of former Maskell Medallist Joe Dare, cut the margin to five points at half-time and was eight adrift at the final change.

“They came to play and they got us in that first quarter,” Dare said.

“They just came out hard and outran us and were getting free blokes going forward and really hurt us on the turnover.

“But Joe’s performance, particularly in the first half, was outstanding.

“He kicked three and gave one off to Joel Moriarty when he could have easily had a shot. He’s a great team player, Joe, and he’s getting better and better each week, and Chris Paatsch was just cutting off that ball in that third quarter when we were under the pump.

“If he wasn’t there, they could have kicked another four or five goals I reckon and the game would have been over.”

Warrnambool coach John Cook, who praised youngsters Austin Steere, Matt Schnerring and Mitch Bidmade, said the Blues’ desire, dash and hunger could not be questioned.

“I try and be a positive type of person, I am always looking for the positive in life,” he said. “Now that we sit back and reflect on the game, ultimately we were really, really good.”