Cobras

The Cobras were formed in season 1999 after the association had functioned as an eight team competition in 1998. Carlo Sapienza left the Flyers and Spike Jones the Steelers to commence the new ninth team. Roger Towes also moved from the Flyers, Claude Minuta and first year player John Falcetta from the Raiders, Russell Jarvis and Harry Mason from the Steelers, and from outside the association Jamie Giancola, Peter Edwards, Dean Willey, Keith White, Brayden Famlonga and Brett Hall.
The team finished fourth on the ladder and went on to win the premiership in their first year beating the Steelers 7-5 in the grand final. They defeated Cubs 11-4 in the first semi and the Arrks 13-11 in the preliminary final. The following season the side lost seven premiership players and finished second last. New players to the team Lynton Pike, Mark Randall, Ron Wills, and Mark Unwin settled in well but most weeks there were only had the bare nine players. In 2001 and with the return of Harry Mason and recruitment of Leon Walton and Michael Moffatt the team was again very strong and went on to beat the Steelers 18-12 in the grand final. In 2007 we lost the grand final, to the Rangers who won their third in a row 20-15. There has been quite a turnover of Players and the team is now looking for some youth and stability so the future of the team can be guaranteed.
1999 Finals Team Photo
1999 winning grand final team defeating Steelers 7-5
Front row L-R: John Falcetta, Keith White, Claude Minuta,Carlo Sapienza, Spike Jones, Jamie Giancola
Back row L-R: Roger Towes, Brayden Famlonga, Brett Hall, Russell Jarvis, Harry Mason, Peter Edwards, Dean Willey.
2001 Finals Team Photo
2001 winning grand final team defeating Steelers 18-12

Front row L-R: Peter Edwards, Claude Minuta, Leon Walton, Michael Moffatt, Carlo Sapienza
Inset: John Falcetta
Back row L-R: Keith White, Roger Towes, Ron Wills, Mark Randall, Chris Sapienza, Harry Mason, Lynton Pike, Dean Willey

Retired framed shirt of Peter Edwards who passed away on 30/5/2002. Joined Cobra’s number 6 in the 1999 draft.
Claude’s shirt retired 2009. Inaugural player and Joined Cobra’s at number 5 in 2009 draft.
2010 Finals Team Photo
2010 winning grand final team defeating Rangers 19-9

Front row L-R: Frank Kovach, Brad Cousins, Chris Sapienza , Kelly Jensen, Mark Thomas, Troy Sutherland.
Back row L-R: Leon Walton, Carlo Sapienza, Evan Foster, Clinton Sapienza, Chris Gray, Matthew Preston, Brent Fletcher Mark Wiley.

Players since inception. (* means they are still playing.)

Russell Brownley
Brett Hall
Gary Owen
Roger Towes
Steve Brunt
Glen Horsley
Lynton Pike
Mark Unwin
Steve Cooper
Russell Jarvis
Matt Preston
*Leon Walton
*Brad Cousins
*Kelly Jensen
Mark Randall
*Keith White
Peter Edwards
Spike Jones
*Carlo Sapienza
*Mark Wiley
Brayden Famlonga
*Frank Kovach
Grant Shepherd
Dean Willey
Jamie Giancola
John Laurier
*Michael Shepherd
Ron Wills
Brett Gresele
Harry Mason
Ted Street
*Brent Fletcher
John Falcetta
Claude Minuta
*Troy Sutherland
*Mark Thomas
*Chris Gray
Michael Moffatt
Laurence Tham
*Steve Brown
*Evan Foster
*Clinton Sapienza
*Mike Bellinger