“Belief.”
That’s how Bacchus Marsh coach Travis Hodgson explains the improvement in his side this season.
The Cobras hadn’t played finals for 15 years and hadn’t won a grand final since the 1970s, but it was all very different in this year’s Ballarat Football League finals series.
After a nervous start in the qualifying final, Bacchus Marsh kept minor premiers Lake Wendouree goalless in the second half to win through to the semi. Then, against the Sunbury Lions, the Cobras kicked the game’s first seven goals to set up a win and a grand final spot.
On Saturday, the Cobras put it together for four quarters against the Lions to seal their first Ballarat Football League premiership, winning 13.21 (99)-5.14 (44).
The Cobras kicked the first two goals of the game before the Lions responded with three of their own.
With Jarrah Maksymow and Declan Phyland kicking their second goals of the quarter, the Cobras held a goal lead at quarter-time.
Whatever Hodgson said at the break worked as the Cobras broke the game open with four goals in the first 11 minutes.
A fifth goal for the term opened the lead out to 39 points and the game was now the Cobras’ for the taking.
Yet two late goals from the Lions kept their slight chances alive.
The third quarter was one of missed opportunities for both teams, which, between them, kicked 11 points before Cameron Richardson booted the only goal for the term. Richardson also kicked the first of the last quarter and captain Tyson Shea sealed the win with his own goal.
Hodgson said he couldn’t have asked for any more from his side.
“They’ve been fantastic all year, but there’s been the question mark of whether they could produce it on the day,” he summed up.
“We played good footy early. I think we put Sunbury to the sword a bit and when they ran out of gas we kept going.”
Hodgson said the biggest change in his side this year had been on the mental side of things rather than any skill level.
“Belief is such a big thing.
“The boys are a year older and we brought in a few handy players. The platform was laid when we beat Sunbury in round one and Darley in round two. That gave us a real level of belief.
“Players who have had average years over the past couple of seasons have become very good players.
“It’s not a development thing skill-wise; they believe they can get the job done.”
The inclusions of former AFL player Damian Cupido in round four and Maksymow (four goals) in round five proved to be the final pieces of the puzzle.
“Those two were what we needed. We’ve got a real blue-collar team and they both have a bit of class, bring a bit of polish.”
Daniel Burton was named best on ground by the grand final umpires, while BFL officials awarded Jackson Bolton the Roy Edward Memorial Trophy.
Burton, who had a standout season in his first year at the club, was the player who benefited most from the late withdrawal of his direct opponent David Kovacevic.
“Fair to say we weren’t disappointed with that,” Hodgson said.
“Burton got hold of him around the ground the last two times we beat them, but Kovacevic has got the better of the hit-outs. We identified Sunbury’s strength as their smalls’ ability to get on the end of his ruck work on the fly.
“To lose that advantage was always going to take an edge off them. Our boys still had to capitalise, and they did.”
Hodgson said a lot of people had done a lot of hard work to get the Cobras to their flag, but he paid particular tribute to Cameron Richardson, who kicked two goals and coached the side in the previous two seasons.
“I think it takes a pretty special person to hang around in those circumstances,” Hodgson said of Richardson.
“Cam chose not to go on as coach and, in the same situation, I don’t think I’d have done the same thing.
“For him to stay here with the best interests of the club at heart and have the season he did says a lot about the person.”
Hodgson said that with such a young playing group, they were hoping this was the start of something special.
“Bacchus Marsh haven’t had success for a long time, but they’ve worked really hard for a long time.
“I’m thoroughly thrilled for them, and I think this will set us up for a really positive future.
“We won today with 16 of the 22 being Bacchus Marsh juniors, and most being under 23. I think it’s the start of something really good.”
