West-Gippsland league: Cora Lynn co-coach Shaun Sparkes speaks on how ex-VFL experience is aiding his group

Six players with VFL experience, including former Casey Demons superstar Jimmy Munro, are putting Cora Lynn “in a position to compete” according to co-coach Shaun Sparkes.

Jimmy Munro is turning heads at Cora Lynn. (Photo by Felicity Elliott/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Cora Lynn may not have an abundance of ex-AFL talent – but it’s certainly got the next best thing.

The West Gippsland league finalists from 2023 has an impressive seven ex-VFL players set to pull on the Cobras’ jumper this season.

Jimmy Munro, Nathan Gardiner, Will Stephenson, Jaxon Briggs, Cory Machaya and Heath Briggs all have coach Shaun Sparkes hopeful his side can go beyond its elimination final heartbreak.

“It’s massive,” Sparkes said.

“Especially having Jimmy, Cory and Gards, they set the scene.”

Jimmy Munro is turning heads at Cora Lynn. (Photo by Felicity Elliott/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Nathan Gardiner, fresh off a century of goals last year, is one of the Cobras’ six with VFL experience.

Munro joined Cora Lynn full time this year as Sparkes’ co-coach after winning a VFL premiership and three best and fairest awards with the Casey Demons.

Sparkes said Munro had set the standard this pre-season.

“Jimmy has been a massive asset to us this pre-season, obviously he’s a highly-decorated VFL player and it’s just great he’s taking them under his wing,” he said.

“They’re learning from one of the best players from VFL footy of the last 10 years, they’ve been super.

“He’s up there with one of the best trainers I have seen I think, he’s pushing other guys and he’s hard at it.

“He’s only missed two sessions and that’s with some night shift as a paramedic.

“He’s so good for our younger guys because they can see what it takes to get to the next level.”

The Cobras have also welcomed back a collection of returning players.

Chase Blackwood, Ryan Eaton, Sam Wellwood and Josh Arena will all be handy additions this season.

Sparkes didn’t want to put a benchmark for success on his group but said he liked to think his side is “in the position to compete”.