Going into the Murray League grand final against a previously undefeated Congupna side as the heavy underdogs, the Tigers pulled off one of the biggest upsets in league history to prevail by three points, ending a 27-year wait for a senior football premiership.
While the memories of that day will last for ever, the slate is wiped clean this weekend, as Cobram is set to begin its premiership defence against Numurkah with a standalone Easter Saturday clash at Scott Oval.
The Tigers triumphed in the only meeting between the two sides last season by 22 points at Numurkah Showgrounds, and will be hoping for the same result this Saturday as they unfurl the premiership flag in front of the Tigers faithful.
Much of the premiership side remains intact, including 2025 O’Dwyer medallist Jackson Trengove, who has recommitted for 2026, and while there have been some losses, including Fergus Pinnuck, the Tigers have recruited well, adding plenty of names to their list.
Jack Murray and Luke Collyer have crossed from Picola League club Strathmerton, Sean Thompson adds Goulburn Valley League experience, having jumped ship from Shepparton United, while the likes of Ryan Calogero (Katandra) and Bowen Calogero (Myrtleford) will also shore up the Tigers’ list.
Despite tasting the ultimate success, the Tigers recorded a modest 12-6 regular season record in 2025, with Mark Meyland’s men dropping a number of games throughout the year to the other top contenders.
Speaking earlier this preseason for McPherson Media Group’s upcoming Football and Netball Magazine, Meyland admitted that the Tigers would be going back to basics, with a real emphasis on improving skills.
“Our skills are something that we have to continually hone in on and get right,” he said.
“We still had critical errors at times during the year and we are looking to eliminate that out of our game as best we can.”
With plenty of improvement still to come from the Tigers, and with Meyland also of the opinion that his side didn’t even reach its peak last season, Cobram should once again prove a real threat to the rest of the competition in 2026.
On the netball court, the Tigers are looking to climb up the ladder following a lean period for the A grade side.
A 3-15 record last season saw the Tigers finish 10th, a step backwards from the 2024 finish of ninth with a 4-2-12 record; however, there is positivity around Cobram’s prospects in 2026.
Vice president Sasha Parish, also speaking to MMG for the 2026 Football and Netball Magazine, said off-season recruiting had resulted in a number of new names joining the club.
“We have been able to bring in an influx of talent and experience over the summer,” she said.
“Having people like Aimee (Power) has attracted people to want to come and play. She is a great personality, a solid leader and she’s an absolute freak and she is whipping the girls into shape.”
A first-up meeting against Numurkah will prove a good test for the A grade Tigers to see where they are at, with the Blues having pushed hard for finals last season before finishing in seventh spot.
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