By JARROD POTTER
READY to strike in 2015 under new coach Rick Bean, Sandown Cobras is a new-look club in more ways than one, as the playing group, coaching staff and facilities have all undergone dramatic change in the off-season.
With coach Mick Rossborough leaving the club, Sandown Cobras have entered a new era with former Chelsea Heights mainstay Rick Bean taking the reins ahead of the 2015 SFL season.
After an interrupted start to the off-season, with announced coach Steve Goodie having to step down for personal reasons, Bean is determined to get the side into top form and hopefully return to the finals after an early elimination in 2014 at the hands of Carrum Patterson Lakes.
“It’s a bloody traumatic time for Steve… and the first thing I said to everyone was to extend our deepest sympathies to Steve,” Bean said.
“I’ve introduced a game plan from first training and that’s what we’re training towards,” Bean said.
“I love attacking footy, my background is all about attacking footy and taking the game on.
“We all play for each other… I’m not a coach that depends on a star player, we all have to pull our weight to achieve our goals.”
“Attractive football” is the mode du jour for Bean as his new-look Cobras’ team attack the Division-3 competition and aim for equally new success.
He has a coaching and playing resume the length of Edinburgh Reserve as well. Bean’s history includes stints at North Melbourne Under 19s, Yarrawonga, then heading to Queensland with Southport, Coolongatta and Labrador before returning to Victoria to start his coaching career at Wandin, Coldstream – winning five premierships in a row – and Bayswater.
Bean’s arrival has been bookended by strong recruiting to fill the void left by Daniel Macklin (Doveton Eagles) and Jake Chapman (Ashwood) among others.
He’s picked up Luke Newton – Chelsea Heights 2014 best and fairest – interleague ruckman Owen Uaongo and Luke Williams, who will captain the Cobras this season as well as standing as a playing-assistant coach.
“We are excited to have secured some fantastic new recruits, under the guidance of a brand new coaching staff led by Rick Bean,” Cobras’ general manager Brett Phillips said.
“Rick has hit the ground running and been well received and brings with him some great experiences and success at a higher level in a previous stint at Division-1 club Chelsea Heights.”
“Footy clubs are very resilient places and despite an off season of change (with a senior coaching change) there is a good feeling and vibe.”
With renovations to Edinburgh Reserve under way and match-lighting ready for the new season, the Cobras are a sea of activity as even the junior ranks are bolstered through affiliation with Parkmore JFC.
“Everyone will soon get to experience our soon to be completed refurbished home ground facilities with night football, and we continue to see unfold our pathway partnership with Parkmore Junior Football Club, as we edge closer to forming a future Under-19 team,” Phillips said.
Sandown Cobras also had a FIDA team for footballers with a disability to cater for players of all abilities at Edinburgh Reserve.
The season kicks off on 11 April and if anyone is interested in helping out the Cobras contact Brett Phillips on 0408 540 185.
