Cobras primed to buildon breakout BFNL season

BACCHUS Marsh coach Nichole Gleeson insists a breakthrough A-grade netball season in 2025 will be a tough act to follow, but she is excited to see what the Cobras can produce for an encore.

The Cobras emerged as the competition’s feel-good story last season, notching up their first finals appearance in six years after going several seasons without a win.

While beaten 54-36 in the first week of finals by eventual preliminary finalists North Ballarat, there was still much to be proud about.

More importantly for the Cobras, they are hoping their drought-breaking final can be a launching pad to bigger things in 2026.

While that won’t be easy, with an influx of recruits leading to an across-the-board strengthening of the league, the Cobras will start the season in better shape in at least one regard.

Having entered last season with basically a team full of recruits, they will regain some player points.

This has given the Cobras a leg-up with their recruiting.

Expect some announcements on that front shortly, with Gleeson indicating the emphasis will be on defence and likely another goaling option.

“We’ve maintained the majority of the team, but at the same time it will have a bit of a new look,” said Gleeson, who crossed to Maddingley Park last season after previously leading rival club Melton.

“I am really excited to see how it all comes together.

“Defensively, I think we will be very strong …. the same for our attacking end,” Gleeson added in reference to the re-signings of goal shooter Kimberly Phillips and classy young goal attack Jasmine Paama.

A breakout season for the Cobras was mirrored by that of Paama in her first A-grade season.

A Rising Star award nominee, she finished equal third in the league’s best and fairest medal count won by North Ballarat’s Maddy Selmon.

Gleeson is predicting another big step up from Paama in 2025.

“Finishing equal third in the league medal was very exciting for us as a club,” Gleeson said.

“We were actually blown away by that, but it was very well deserved.

“To have Kimmy (Phillips) finish fourth in the (league) goal shooting alongside Jasmine, who finished 10th, was a great outcome.”

Not for the first time in her BFNL career, Phillips topped the 500-goal mark.

Others to have put pen to paper include versatile defender Ella Logan, Eliza Moodie and midcourter Melissa Prismall, a mid-season recruit for the Cobras who unfortunately missed playing finals with an injury.

The Cobras will have the honour of opening the 2026 season when they take on East Point in a standalone clash at Eastern Oval on Good Friday.

A mixed first five games on the fixture comprises the Kangaroos, Melton, North Ballarat, reigning premiers Darley, and Redan.