Cobram has returned to the winners’ list in emphatic fashion while continuing its development of the next generation of its senior footballers.
The Tigers were terrific at Mercury Drive in Shepparton on Saturday afternoon, smashing bottom-of-the-ladder Rumba 25.15 (165) to 5.6 (36).
Cobram had 12 separate goal-kickers on Saturday in the 129-point victory, with Mitchell Ward leading the way with six majors.
The result comes at an important time for Cobram. Not only does it bring a two-game losing streak to an end, but it sets the stage for a pair of key clashes against fellow top-six sides Numurkah and Moama in the coming weeks.
“We had some really good, positive signs,“ Cobram coach John Brunskill said.
“We made a couple of positional changes on the weekend which paid off for us. We had Sam Beasley and Luca Allen in the middle and I think that was a big difference for us around the ball on the weekend.
“As we know they are only kids themselves, but the leadership they bring to the footy club is unbelievable. They certainly lead by example.
“This week is a big game for us and a big game for Numurkah. We have a couple of tough weeks ahead.”
GALLERY: Snapshots from Cobram’s win over Rumbalara
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On the ball: Declan Brunskill in action against Rumbalara. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 8
Yellow and black: Cobram's Bailey Roberts. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 8
Bouncing back: Cobram's Levi Middleton and Rumba's Ashleigh Miller get to their feet after a contest. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 8
Taking possession: Cobram's Matthew DeMaio after snagging a mark. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 8
On the hunt: Cobram's Levi Middleton chases after the Sherrin. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 8
Get around him: Declan Brunskill side steps past his Rumbalara opponent. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 8
Thick of the action: Cobram’s Samuel De Cicco wins the ball from a stoppage. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 8
Wrapped up: Cobram’s Mitchell Ward brings a Rumbalara player to ground. Photo by Megan FisherCobram has ushered a number of junior players into its senior ranks this year, and that trend continued against Rumbalara.
Youngster Paulie Degei made his senior debut for the Tigers on Saturday, booting three goals in a fantastic first appearance.
A famous former Tiger was on hand to see Degei in action, with Geelong’s Esava Ratugolea there to present his younger cousin with his jumper before the match.
“Young Paulie played his first game and kicked 3.2 in a half of footy,” Brunskill said.
“We try and look after our locals well. I reached out to Esava over the last couple of weeks and that is the result of it.
“He is an AFL player and they have fairly tight schedules, so for him to come up on Saturday and present his cousin with a jumper was fantastic — not only for young Paulie, but for the whole Cobram footy club as well.
“Esava spoke before the game about what the club meant to him and where he came from with the club. There were only probably three or four players that knew he was coming, so it wasn’t just a shock for Paulie, it was a shock for everyone.”
Degei became the fifth junior player to crack into Cobram’s senior side in 2023, but it was a debut that came a few weeks after it was first planned.
“He was going to play senior footy four weeks ago, but he didn’t do his homework so Mum said he wasn’t allowed to play footy,” Brunskill said.
“I talk to my blokes about consequences and all that sort of stuff as well and rules and regulations and when you break them, that is what happens.”
Four of the five youngsters to make senior debuts for Cobram this year featured against Rumba — Degei, Noah Sneddon, Sebastian Conheady and Samuel De Cicco — and Brunskill said more players could soon join that list.
“We try to promote from within. Realistically, there are probably another four kids in the thirds that will probably play senior footy before the end of the year,” Brunskill said.
“What we try and do is look after our locals. We know they are the lifeblood of our club so we try and promote them when they get an opportunity as well.
“They are how your club runs and keeps ticking over.
“They have been playing really good seconds footy, so it was good for them to get the opportunity.”