The game started with Cobar kicking to the western end and wasting little time putting points on the board, posting three quick ones before Barellan could manage one themselves.

However, the momentum changed and Barellan were up by two goals at quarter time.

Early in the second quarter Cobar’s big man Chris Higgins started one of many brilliant spells in the ruck and his sheer dominance was a significant factor in the team’s win.

Meanwhile, Cobar’s midfielders were being run ragged by Barellan’s causing multiple loose men in their forward line wreaking havoc to the score board.

Eventually the halftime siren rang and Cobar was down by six goals and knew they would have to have a mammoth second half to emerge victorious.

The third quarter started just the way Cobar wanted, with the experienced forward line consisting of Terry Pitkin, Mal Hillier and Dean Botten taking many good grabs then capitalising on them with multiple goals.

The new ‘grouping’ technique that has been recently implemented to the Blues kicking-out strategy really payed dividends that quarter.

Cobar won the quarter and was only four points down.

At the final break, leadership group member Daniel Howard gave the side his version of an inspirational speech that lifted the side up another gear.

The opening of the final term was vital to both sides and the Blues took it with arms wide open, kicking two majors and leaving Barellan to play catch up.

The game for about 15 minutes turned into a genre known as ‘Dog’ football (Stalemate) where no goals were scored, only points.

However, the visiting side finally broke the drought, snapping a good goal.

With only five minutes to go, Cobar were up by five points. Cobar’s midfield really scrapped hard with Paul Gauci and Corey Slater providing exquisite pressure.

That pressure later cost Barellan the match with their captain/coach Caine Malone punching Cobar’s captain Murray Robotham out of frustration.

This had him sent off, taking up valuable time and leaving them one man short.

The fulltime siren rang and Cobar had won their hardest fought battle of the year.

Retiring footballer Mal Hillier was carried off the ground and given a guard of honour to celebrate the end of his long playing career.

On a lighter note, captain Murray Robotham will make club history next week when he will be the first person to play 100 games for the Cobar Blues.

Word on the street is there will be former players and life members returning for the distinguished event.

So come on down and support him.

Best players on the day were Corey Slater, Chris Higgins, Paul Gauci, Murray Robotham, Daniel Howard, Mall Hillier, Dean Botten and Terry Pitkin.