Cobden footballer Chris Paatsch loyal to the Bombers' cause

He started as a forward but now fills a key role in defence.

He's become a dad to one-year-old George.

And the Colac-based electrician might hold a new title at the club.

"I think I am the oldest there," the 29-year-old said.

Cobden's off-season departures mean Paatsch is also one of the Bombers' most experienced players.

Their list's age demographic and significant injury list have contributed to their 0-4 start to the season.

"No one is down in the dumps and we need to keep sticking together," Paatsch said.

"We worked out earlier this year that we've lost over 1000 games of experience - Paul Foster played 250 games and then there's Paul Hinkley, Aidan Cole and Tim Horan."

Paatsch, who started his senior career with Colac and District side Otway Districts, estimates his own Cobden games tally is in the 90s.

"It'd be good to play my 100^th game - I have never played 100 senior games anywhere else," he said.

Paatsch has experienced highs and lows since following good mate Brody Mahoney, who is now playing in the SANFL, to Cobden.

"The first year I came a few guys left to do coaching elsewhere and then we slowly got a few back and played in a prelim in 2017," he said.

"But losing players and getting injuries makes it hard. But it's a good place to be around and everyone gets along.

"It's pretty easy to fit in."

The Bombers' changing list has also meant a switch of role for Paatsch.

"I used to always play forward and it's only been the last three years I've played back line," he said.

"It's something a bit different I suppose. You get a lot more kicks in the back line but I've always been a forward."

Paatsch snuck forward against North Warrnambool Eagles in round two and kicked his "first goal in about two seasons".

The winless Bombers have only kicked 16 goals, averaging just 28 points a week, in their first four games of the season.

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