Back at Scott Oval for their first outing following two weeks of byes, the Tigers were dominant in the win over Rumbalara, although were denied a much larger margin of victory, kicking 12.25 (97) to 8.2 (50).
A strong start to the contest saw Cobram leap out to a 10-point lead by quarter-time, having booted 3.4 (22) to the visitors’ two straight at the first break, however a return of 4.5 in the second term while restricting Rumbalara to just two goals again gave the home side a much more comfortable 27-point advantage heading into the rooms at half-time.
While the Tigers continued to dominate as play resumed in the second half, errant kicking began to cost the home side in terms of percentage, as shot after shot continued to sail wide of the big sticks.
Eleven scoring shots to four in the third term the way of Cobram should have seen the Tigers lead by more than 10 goals heading into the final quarter, however the margin was barely half that as the home side booted an astonishing 2.9 to Rumba’s 2.2, keeping the margin fairly steady at 34 points as the Tigers went into the final huddle up 9.18 (72) to 6.2 (38).
While the accuracy improved for Cobram in the final term, it was only just, as they again failed to fully capitalise in front of goal, booting 3.7 from 10 scoring shots, while the visitors made the most of their two chances to kick two goals.
Still, it mattered little in the grand scheme of things, as the Tigers wrapped up the four premiership points after a dominant 47-point win, seeing them climb back up the ladder at the end of round 15.
Perry Lewis-Smith continued what has been a superb season to this point, booting two goals to be named Cobram’s best in the win, marking a 12th appearance in the best from 13 games, closely followed by Tyron Baden, who booted a game-high four majors.
Luca Allen, Harry Beasley, Sam Beasley and Jackson Trengove (one goal) rounded out the most influential, while Ben Ryan booted two goals as the only other multiple goal kicker.
The victory ensures Cobram moves to 8-5 from 13 games while boasting the second-best percentage in the league, good enough to sit fourth, just a game behind third-placed Nathalia and two games behind second-placed Mulwala, though with a game in hand over both.
The Tigers would still be confident of a second-placed finish by the season’s end too, as they play both Mulwala and Nathalia in the remaining five games, as well as bottom-six sides Moama and Finley.
But they face a fierce test first in Congupna at Congupna Recreation Reserve this weekend, with the unbeaten ladder leaders in formidable form and holding the wood over the Tigers, having claimed a 43-point victory in the round three grand final rematch between the pair earlier this season.
In other weekend results around the league, Tongala strengthened its finals aspirations with a 9.13 (67) to 6.6 (42) win over Echuca United on the road.
Mulwala claimed one of the results of the round, defeating Nathalia 13.14 (92) to 12.5 (77) in a high-scoring contest to hand the Purples an important defeat.
Numurkah piled on another triple-figure score in its 16.5 (101) to 7.10 (52) win against Deniliquin, while the Road completed a 13.14 (92) to 5.3 (33) triumph over Moama.
