On the hunt: Cobram’s Harry Beasley chases after the ball. Photo: Leonie Bourke
Cobram has got back on track with a big win over Tocumwal on Saturday, with a band of brothers helping lead the Tigers to a 110-point victory.
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Four sets of brothers suited up for the yellow and black – nine players overall – as Cobram ran away to a comfortable 22.16 (148) to 5.8 (38) win.
Mitchell Ward kicked a game-high seven goals for Cobram, while his brother Matthew snagged two majors in his senior debut.
Tigers coach John Brunskill said it was clear that Mitchell and Matthew had plenty of familiarity with each other’s game.
“You could see that Matt and Mitch have kicked the footy together a fair bit, they certainly knew where each other was,” Brunskill said.
Side by side: Ward brothers Mitchell (left) and Matthew after their game for Cobram on Saturday. Photo: Cobram FNC
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Matthew wasn’t the only young Tiger to earn his first senior stripes, with Sam De Cicco — brother of former Cobram player Adam — also making his debut.
Brunskill said both De Cicco and Ward had worked hard to earn their spots on the field, with a bright future ahead of the pair.
“Sam has been knocking on the door for the last few weeks. He is probably unlucky not to have played at the start of the year, but we just couldn't fit him in,” he said,
“We asked him to go back and play good seconds footy and that’s what he has done. He got his opportunity on Saturday and presented himself really well, he had a good game.
“Young Matt was our sub for the week in his first game out the thirds. He is going to be a really good player when he gets older, he is a top young kid now.
“He acquitted himself well on the weekend, we are pretty lucky to be able to bring those kids in and have them adapt to senior footy quickly.”
Luca and Matteo Allen, Hugh and Lachlan Hyde, and Harry, Jack and Samuel Beasley were the other sets of brothers out on the field for the Tigers at Scott Oval.
On the run: Matteo Allen bursts through the midfield. Photo: Leonie Bourke
Brunskill said that strong, family connection had always been a key focus for him at Tigerland.
“That is what we have been pushing ever since I have been involved, the close family ties and local kids getting back to footy and playing for us,” he said.
“We are happy that they want to stick around and play for the Cobram footy club. We try to build a good environment and keep them at our club.”
Following up from a disappointing loss to Barooga in round two that saw the Tigers get overrun in the last term, Brunskill said it was good for Cobram to get back to its brand of football.
“We just needed to get back to basics and how we know how to play footy. That’s what the message was, get back to things that we do well,” he said.
“Obviously we had a few disappointed boys from the week before so it was good that they responded.
“We needed to get back on board with our contested footy, so that was pleasing to see, as well as our run and carry. They were two things to work on from the week before, the result shows what happens when we stick to that.”
Cobram will now hit the road to take on Tongala at 2pm on Saturday, April 23 at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
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