One year after losing a heartbreaking Western Region Football League grand final, Albanvale are now the champions.
The Cobras won the division 3 premiership on Saturday, knocking off highly fancied rival Parkside by 35 points.
The 12.12 (84) to 7.7. (49) win is the club’s first ever senior premiership and kick started what are sure to be days of celebrations.
Albanvale president Jason Curmi described the win as “special.”
VIEW PICTURE GALLERY/SALES FROM THIS MATCH
“It is a brilliant feeling, it really is,” he said.
“The boys are in fine form now and it is absolutely sensational.
“A lot of these kids used to watch me play. Now I’m watching them play and do amazing things for this club. It is special, it really is.”
The Cobras were forced to fight for every ounce of their premiership glory after going into the half time break trailing by five points.
However, after losing to Parkside in the qualifying final just two weeks earlier, the Albanvale players rallied.
The Cobras booted six third term goals to turn the small deficit into a 23 point lead.
Another two goals in the final quarter were all that was needed to seal the win.
Julian Storey and Nathan Cuthbertson were among the best for the Cobras while John Sirianni booted three goals.
Curmi was full of praise for coach John Thrush who has been in charge at the club for the past two years.
“John is fantastic. He is a really good bloke and great for this group,” Curmi said.
“He has done such a good job. In the first year he did it a little tough and this year he got a couple of people to help him out and it has worked so well. He has been fantastic for us, he really has.”
As well as the premiership cup now residing at Robert Bruce Oval, Albanvale has also secured promotion into division 2 for the 2016 season.
Curmi is confident the club will be able to handle the jump.
“We have a good base here,” he said.
“Obviously we will have to recruit a few people but the base is there. We are hoping to be there abouts in finals next year.
“That is what we will be aiming for anyway. We want to consolidate and maybe be in the bottom end of the finals next year.”
