Cobras are ready to strike

Cora Lynn coach David Main, left, and captain Tim Payne will be looking for a fast start to West Gippsland football against Inverloch. 159383 Picture: GARY SISSONS

By Russell Bennett

Cora Lynn enters the first season of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition as a three-time reigning premier but with the first game of their new campaign just hours away, a whole new opportunity for the Cobras to prove themselves awaits.
“Our players feel fresh and they’re excited about what lies ahead – to drive down the coast and take on the challenge of five sides we haven’t earned the respect of yet,” said player-coach David Main, who can’t wait to take to the field with his boys tonight for the first community football game under the AFL Victoria banner this year to be played for premiership points.
The Cobras will play host to Inverloch Kongwak from 7pm on a night that the new competition is officially launched.
“We’re ready to go – we’re pretty much at full-strength,” Main said.
“I remember as kid growing up – the local league was always called the West Gippy league.
“We want to be a part history again in the new league.
“The interest is really gathering around the region and this is a great way to start off the new competition.
“We’re so excited and we see it as a badge of honour to have the game at our ground and to host the season launch as well.”
In the lead-up to opening night, a comprehensive guide to football and netball across Gippsland was released.
The inaugural AFL Gippsland Football and Netball Magazine is a 68-page publication produced by the Latrobe Valley Express and contributed to by newspapers right across the region – including the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette.
It features team previews of every senior football and netball team, and the latest ins and outs for every competition under AFL Gippsland.
The detailed guide, which features a gloss cover, is currently available for $2 at participating newspaper offices and newsagents and will be sold at the gate at local football games on match day throughout the opening rounds of the season.