Cobras give Dusties a reality check

By Ken Moore
CORA Lynn showed it was every bit as good as last season, if not better, when it steamrolled fellow finals aspirants, Warragul Industrials, by 93 points on Saturday.
After quarter-time the Cobras capitalised far too often on the Dusties’ midfield and defensive mistakes. Both went tit for tat in the first quarter, the ball flowed up and down the ground rapidly and with four goals apiece, the match promised to be an absolute cracker.
But during time on, the complexion of the game changed dramatically when Cobra goal sneak Anthony Giuliano snared two goals within a minute.
And when he seized on a backline error to notch another and then his fourth, the home side had opened up a sizeable break five minutes into the second quarter.
Any hope of an Industrials comeback was foiled when the Cobras’ Mornington recruit, Ryan Gillis, led, marked and kicked well three times to give the home side a commanding 39-point at the main break.
The visitors fell further into the mire when the home side kicked six goals to one in the third quarter.
Cora Lynn was in a ruthless mood and added another six in the last term to embarrass the Dusties, who entered the game top of the ladder but ended the afternoon with a big reality check.
Tough Cora Lynn ruck-rover Jack Allen was a chief playmaker in the first half and along with fleet-footed wingman Jimmy Bradshaw and coach Brendan Kimber, set up a string of scoring opportunities.
Underrated small Anthony Giuliano kicked three first-quarter goals, always looked a threat around the big sticks and went on to bag five. He appears to have taken his game to a new level this season.
Tim Payne and Michael Duiker provided run out of defence, Dean Harders gave star Dusties ruckman Ben Hobgen a hard time and forward Ryan Gillis proved hard to contain.
The Industrials could not find a path to goal all game. Nuggetty Narre Warren recruit Chris Potalej made his presence felt midfield, as did Jason Kennedy, who used his pace well.
Another runner, Rhett O’Hara provided solid rebound from behind the centre, while in defence Damian Dawson, Matt Willis and Adam Neal managed to suppress enough advances to keep the difference under three figures.