Cobras to clash for a great cause

A GROUP of 36 under-12 players and families from Ocean Grove Collendina Cobras Junior Football Club will rekindle the State of Origin tradition when they travel to Sydney to take on Glebe Greyhounds this week.

The return bout follows Glebe’s inaugural visit to Collendina’s home ground (The Snake Pit) in 2017, which proved to be a great relationship-building exercise between the two clubs and raised more than $3000 for Australia’s largest non-government Sudden Infant Death Syndrome charity, River’s Gift.

At noon on Saturday the Cobras and Greyhounds will clash at Jubilee Oval in Sydney’s inner west, where the home side will be looking to turn the tables after last year’s loss at The Snake Pit.

The game emerged from a lighthearted conversation between parents a couple of years ‘It’s a real opportunity for the kids to experience that State of Origin feeling that we grew up with’ ago, joking among themselves that Glebe should one day come to Victoria for such a contest. Last year the chat became reality due in no small part to the hardworking committees from both teams.

This year’s initiative has also had great support from both the Geelong and Sydney football clubs, who have allowed the boys to do a lap on the SCG before Thursday night’s match to help raise awareness for River’s Gift before the Cobras form a guard of honour for Cats players as they enter the field.

OGCCJFC president Shaun Stow said countless hours had gone into organising the match, creating excitement among parents and children.

“It’s a real opportunity for the kids to experience that State of Origin feeling that we grew up with, and this year it had a dual purpose with Geelong playing Sydney on the Thursday night,’’ he said.

“We have a travelling party of 86 which speaks to the family focus, values and camaraderie at the Cobras. We’re building a new tradition on the back of last year’s inaugural event which we hope will last well into the future.’’

Following Thursday night’s AFL match, the Cobras will have a training run followed by a tour at GWS Giants facilities on Friday before “Origin II’’ on Saturday.

“It’s been a big logistical exercise organising flights, accommodation, liaising with both AFL clubs, GWS, AFLNSW and AFL Barwon,’’ Mr Stow said.

“The Swans have been terrific allowing us to do a lap of the oval on Thursday night and an interview to highlight River’s Gift.

“Glebe set the trend coming down here last year. We hosted well. Spectators who came along to have a look couldn’t believe the atmosphere and the goodwill, so it was only fair that we would make the trip this time.’’

Hopes are high that the Cobras can prevail again.

“The boys are real keen to keep the title. I just hope the AFL will kindly keep fixturing Geelong in Sydney in the middle of the school holidays so we can keep this going!’’

Rivers Gift was started by Torquay couple Karl Waddell and Alex Hamilton following the death of their baby boy River to SIDS in 2011. To date Rivers Gift has raised more than $1 million to help find a preventive cure for SIDS. LINK: WWW.RIVERSGIFT.COM.AU

COBRAS PRESIDENT SHAUN STOW