By Tara Murray
Albanvale believes it will build as the Western Football League division 2 season progresses.
The Cobras have had an off season of change, led by the appointment of Anthony Montrose and Phil Crea as co-coaches.
Montrose said before the opening round match that it felt like the season had come around quickly.
“It has been good, there’s a lot of new faces,” he said. “We tried to change a lot up and a different game plan.
“The buy-in has been good. There’s massive numbers on the track which the club has not seen for years.
“We’ve had a bit of a change up and tried to bring in a more modern game. We are still learning and it’ll take a while to get going.
Montrose said he and Crea were both enjoying being back in a senior coaching role. Both have had long coaching careers before joining the Cobras.
Montrose said there had been a number of players who really impressed them in the pre-season.
“There’s been a big build up,” he said. “We’re going to blood three young kids [in round one], who will get their chance.
“They have done everything right since the start of the season. We will have a bit more youth in the side which will be good.”
Montrose said they would have liked to add a few more recruits in the off season, but luck hadn’t fallen their way.
Among the signings for the Cobras are Macauley Lonergan, Kade Bellingham, Jack Burgess and Corey Field.
Montrose said looking at other sides it was really hard to see where everyone was sitting this season with a lot of change for some sides,
He said Sunshine Heights and North Footscray looked to have recruited well, while Wyndhamvale, the highest ranked side left from last season, would be the benchmark.
The Cobras made an elimination final last season before being beaten by the Falcons.
“Looking at a few games, I think on the balance of things that we don’t have that height advantage,” Montrose said.
“We will take it week by week and we’ll still be learning at the end of the year.
“It’s a new process and we will take every game as it comes.”
The Cobras started their season on Saturday against Tarneit at Wootten Reserve Reserve.
It was a massive win, with the Cobras keeping the Titans goalless in the second half as they won, 28.26 (194)-3.1 (19).
Reece Field kicked six goals for the Cobras, while Kade Bellingham and Macauley Lonergan kicked five.
Ostinn Bellingham was named best on ground,
Montrose said before the game he didn’t know too much about the Titans but said from what he had seen it didn’t look like they hadn’t bought in as many players as some other sides.
“It is hard to see where everyone is at and we’ll take it a game at a time.”
In other round one matches North Footscray was to host Braybrook, Sunshine Heights was at home to the Western Rams, West Footscray played Laverton, and the Suns were underlights against Wyndhamvale.
