Opposition coaches plot Hampden league netball pace-setter Cobden's downfall

The undefeated Bombers are setting the pace in the Hampden league netball premiership race.

Rival mentors say they're well-drilled, fast, strong and accurate.

They also boast the most prolific attack and stingiest defence in the 10-team competition.

Cobden averages 62 goals a game and its 376 goals is 85 more than its nearest rival Koroit - the team it plays in a top-of-the-table clash on Saturday.

North Warrnambool Eagles coach Jaime Barr got her side to within six goals of the Bombers in round two - a competition-best - and to within one against the Saints last weekend.

She believes the one-versus-two clash will be "a super interesting game".

"I am watching that one with bated breath myself actually because they play completely different game styles," Barr said.

"Cobden are a bit more like us, they move the ball quickly and they've had that group together for a couple of years so there's a lot of trust.

"Koroit like to play it very slow, steady and safe and they build and build until they pop it over the top to Nell (Mitchell)."

Barr said the Bombers' pace and accuracy in the goal circle made them difficult to stop.

"They have some very fast players, in particular Amy Hammond. She's always an option to move the ball through going into attack," she said.

"They are super athletic, particularly when you add Jess Wheadon into the mix.

"I think she flew under the radar last year for a lot of people but not for us because they knocked us out of the division one finals.

"She absolutely killed us...so we knew she was building for a big return to open netball."

South Warrnambool coach Mandy van Rooy said Cobden pounced on every opposition error.

"They have a real understanding of each other's game, which gives them a lot of confidence, and they are a very fast side," she said.

"They will punish you when they get the opportunity.

"It is a whole-court situation and what we learned from our game against them is as soon as they get a turnover they are scoring from them.

"You can't give them a second after a turnover because they've got the ball one pass down the court already."

Port Fairy coach Rhiannon Cuomo said the Bombers' strength was one of their best assets.

"I found them to be very strong physically. They weren't dirty or anything like that but consistently for four quarters they were very physical which in turn wears down your own players," she said.

"The hard thing to do against a team like that is to play your own style of netball. I think the more you can come off the body and be patient, the better off you'll be.

"They are very good at making you think you've got space somewhere so you're looking at that lob pass and they are sitting waiting for you to pick it off.

"They are all very good at that. If you fall into that trap of going where you think the space is going to be because it looks wide open, then they'll pick it off.

"But if you play patient, short, sharp netball that is the way you are going to get close to them."

Cuomo said she rated Cobden's belief and camaraderie too.

"They are always positive, there is always that uplifted vibe on the court," she said.

"They feed off each other."

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