Cobden eager to improve forward line structure, pressure in season 2021

The Bombers were the second-lowest scoring side in the Hampden league two years ago when they averaged 52 points a game.

Now, after a coronavirus virus-enforced season hiatus, coach Adam Courtney is bullish about their prospects once inside forward 50.

He said Cobden would play to its strengths.

"We are not going to be a side who looks for big targets and kicks long," Courtney said.

"We have a few tall blokes and we'll use them the best we can but we can't rely on that because we just don't have enough of that personnel in our side.

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"We're going to have to work really hard moving the ball from the contest, moving in numbers and when we get it forward make sure we lock it in and give ourselves a chance to score.

"In 2019 the ball just came out way too much so we're working hard on our forward set-ups and forward pressure."

Cobden will have a host of emerging teenagers to pick from.

"I think we've only lost three or four out of 23 or 24 players," Courtney said.

"Seven of them have already played senior footy so that's an area we're really happy with and where we're going to get most of our improvement.

"A few of them are on farms, a few are tradies - a few are builders, two are plumbers - and we've also got a couple of who are travelling back from Geelong from uni.

"We are really happy with the way our culture is. These young kids move down to Geelong but they still commute back to the footy club."

Courtney hopes the experienced Ricky Sullivan can impart some of his knowledge on the Bombers' next generation.

"Ricky is an assistant coach. He is a great club person and it's great to have him in a major role," he said.

"He is definitely having a big influence over the group in pre-season."

The Bombers have pre-season injury concerns - Nick Nieuwenhuizen broke his wrist spoiling a ball and is in plaster for six weeks and Mitch Reed is battling back and hip concerns.

Ruckman Toby Hawkins is moving to Western Australia in March but Courtney is confident in the Bombers' ruck depth, citing Ben Berry and Sam and Matt Clarke.

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