The new-look Cobras have had a patchy start to the season but find themselves in the top five thanks to a 2-2 record and commendable percentage.

German's men bagged the upset of the season at the weekend, defeating reigning premiers East Point, only a week after losing to last season's wooden-spooners Melton South.

"You know what they say, a week is a long time in football," German told The Courier.

IN OTHER NEWS:

"(The win) was something we needed in a sense.

"Having a new group, a new coach and a new structure that we're playing, sometimes it's going to take a bit of time.

"But hopefully, that is something we can fast track and have some results earlier."

Sustained pressure has been something that's eluded the Cobras so far this season.

Fourth-quarter lapses were behind losses to Ballarat and Melton South, while the five-goal victory against the reigning premiers was the first time the Cobras have managed to come from behind to win.

German said a good workrate was central to his side's best performances.

"It's a bit of a cliche talking about workrates, but it's one of the more important things in footy," he said.

"It's something we strive to work our game around.

"We had a focus (against East Point) about bringing a better effort and trying to play our brand of footy."

The Cobras travel west this weekend for the first time this season since round one to take a Redan outfit rested after the bye.

Like their opponents, Redan has been guilty of a hit-and-miss start to the season, though sits third thanks to a dominant win against Ballarat last time out.

A win will be crucial for the Cobras to stay in touch with the breakaway group with a bye on the horizon next weekend.

German said his group wouldn't be changing much heading into the contest.

"It's another good opportunity against another good side," he said. "They've had some good wins themselves this year, so we just want to be up for the challenge again."

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.