Bacchus Marsh has struck gold with off-season recruit Peter Shepherd.
The key forward has wasted no time making himself at home in the Ballarat Football League since joining the Cobras from West Preston Lakeside in January.
Shepherd is second on the competition’s goal kicker list with 32, eight behind North Ballarat City’s Derick Micallef and 12 in front of Darley’s Rhys Ellis.
While his first six rounds were consistently strong, Shepherd sent out a warning that his best is almost unstoppable with a 10-goal haul in round seven.
The forward firepower has helped the Cobras to a 5-3 start to the season. The club is entrenched in the competition’s top six and seemingly on its way to finals.
Bacchus Marsh football manager Steve Denham said Shepherd’s impact could be seen all over the ground.
“Peter has really given the boys confidence as someone to kick to,” he said.
“I think that has a major impact on getting the ball going forward quicker. That bail-out kick is something we have tried to get out of our game and so far it’s working well.
“We have actually tried to really focus on not turning the ball over, not letting it hit the deck, and hitting our targets up forward.”
While individually impressive, Shepherd has formed a dynamic combination with Benjamin Peters, who has also made life tough for opposition defenders.
After kicking 15 goals in his debut year with the Cobras in 2014, Peters has 16 from his first seven games this season.
As well as the scoreboard impact, Denham believes the potent forward line has also eased the pressure on Cobras playing coach Cameron Richardson.
With goals easier to come by than in the past, Richardson has been dominating all over the ground.
He’s booted eight goals and been named among his side’s best players four times already this year.
“It’s been great for Cam to be freed up this year,” Denham said.
“I reckon he’s one of the best players in the competition and it makes a big difference when he’s able to run around where the ball is most of the time.”
Following a 40-point loss to Lake Wendouree at the weekend, Bacchus Marsh will have a bye this week before taking on local rival Melton.
With the club’s under-18s and reserves also locked into the eight, Denham says the mood around the club is buoyant.
