Tara Murray
Albanvale knows a strong end to the season will put it in the perfect position to play Western Football League division 2 finals.
The Cobras sit in eighth spot, only percentage outside the top six after 13 rounds.
Fifth through to eighth is only separated by percentage with West Footscray two games further back,
With a favourable draw, Cobras coach Ange Messina said they believe they can make finals.
The Cobras were runners up in division 3 last season before division 2 and 3 combined this year.
“We are really clear about what is ahead of us,” he said. “We need to win four out of five games to probably play finals.
“We’ve got four games at home. We have a big game against our nemesis in the final round, the Suns.
“We are under no illusion, whoever wins will likely finish in sixth spot.”
Finals are a long way from early in the season when the Cobras started 2-4.
They have turned it around and are now 7-6.
Messina, who is in his first season coaching the club, says he thinks the difference has been the group all coming together and starting to put the plans into place.
“We’ve played some really good footy in that time,” he said. “The teams that are above us on the ladder, we’ve had moments in games but not good enough for long enough. but we know they are a level above.
“We’ve been able to bring the margins down though, which is what we wanted.
“It’s taken a bit of time and I’ve looked at some flaws in our game plan and worked out what is good.
“We’ve reassessed and reinvigorated things to make the most of the skill set we have to win games.”
Messina said they would welcome some players back into the side in the next few weeks.
He said they currently have nine players out of their best side due to injuries and players away on holidays.
The Cobras’ run home started with a match against 12th placed Western Rams on Saturday after deadline.
The Cobras came away with a 5.6 (36)-4.5 (29) win.
They then face Laverton (10th), North Sunshine (14th), Wyndhamvale (third) and the Suns (sixth).
Speaking before the match, Messina said they know they can’t take any of those teams lightly.
“Western Rams gave us a scare last time,” he said. “They’ve won two games including one on the weekend.
“They are going to turn up thinking they can play some good football.”
