VAFA R8 live stream: Old Yarra Cobras take on West Brunswick in big Women’s Premier League clash

A big day in Cobraland ended with a pair of defeats as West Brunswick provided some salutary lessons in how to get off to a flying start. Watch the Reserves/Premier League REPLAYS.

Forced into playing catch-up from the opening quarter, Old Yarra Cobras couldn’t reel in West Brunswick as the Magpies claimed their first VAFA Premier Women’s success in four weeks on Saturday.

The Magpies actually started the day lower on the table than their rivals, but jumped out to an early break and were never headed.

The Cobras did get to within 12 points midway through the third term but West Brunswick regained their composure to kick two goals in the final quarter and win 51-33.

It’s been a mixed initiation in VAFA’s highest grade for the Cobras, with wins over Caulfield, Melbourne University and Monash coupled with five defeats.

Old Yarra Cobras vs West Brunswick (Reserves)—VAFA Round 8 (Women)

Old Yarra Cobras have now lost five VAFA Premier Women’s Reserves games in a row after failing to kick a major in a 29-point defeat to West Brunswick on Saturday.

After starting the season with two wins in their opening three games, the Cobras have since lost to Collegians, Kew, Caulfield, St Kevin’s and now the Magpies, although two of those defeats were close calls.

They lost this game 34-5, but the result was still very much in the balance at three-quarter time as they trailed by only 14 points. West Brunswick dominated the final term with two goals.

PREVIEW

Old Yarra Cobras are in the midst of a historic VAFA season, but it’s hard not to look at just how far they’ve come.

In 2018, the club was playing in the Division 3 women’s competition – the lowest grade on offer.

They went onto win the Premier C flag in 2019.

Now five years later, the Cobras are battling against the VAFA’s best in Premier Division – their maiden campaign in the top flight.

After seven games, the Michael Wines-coached side sit sixth with a 3-4 record and face a huge clash with West Brunswick on Saturday.

Catch the Reserves/Premier League twin bill LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from 11.40am. Check out the full LIVE STREAM details below.

“It’s a challenge, no doubt,” Wines said of the Premier Division competition.

“We went into this year with our eyes wide open. The goal was really to be competitive and to stay up.

“And we’re in a reasonable position at the moment, we’re pretty happy with that.

“Each week you don’t get much respite, you come up against strong teams in every game.”

In a season which has already seen so many firsts, the excitement is only continuing to build at Cobraland.

Ellen Buckley, Erin Woodford and Mia Haas were all named in the initial VAFA Big V women’s squad to take on the Perth Football League in July.

While they still have to earn a place in the selected team, it is the first time any Cobra players have made the squad.

“We’re really stoked with that, we want our players to be playing at the highest level they can,” Wines said.

“Erin and Mia have had really strong seasons so far. Bucks got off to a little bit later of a start than the other two, but she’s found some really good form in the last three or four weeks.

Old Yarra Cobras take on West Brunswick on Saturday.

“It’s just the experience of being around all those amazing players in the training squad and hopefully they can put their best foot forward and get a jumper.”

There has been a period of transition for the Cobras to start the season with so many fresh faces joining the club in the off-season.

“A lot of young players coming in,” Wines said of the changes.

“We played one game a couple of weeks ago, and we didn’t have a backline member that was over the age of 20. It’s really exciting.

“But it does present its challenges in terms of getting that synergy and having all the players look after one another and building that culture.

“We come from a pretty robust values based culture and that’s held us in good stead.

“The other thing is, everyone’s got a whole heap of VFLW players at this level and you see them sometimes and sometimes they don’t stay in for a couple of weeks, so it’s a challenge.”

Despite winning just one of their last three games, Wines said his side had continued to grow in confidence.

In recent weeks, they’ve faced last year’s grand finalists St Kevin’s and Kew.

“The team has been a little bit unsettled in terms of players coming in and out,” he said.

“Each year has been a pretty big step for us. We’re now starting to feel more comfortable at this level.

“If we put our best forward in every game, we’re always going to have a chance.”

Originally published as VAFA R8 live stream: Old Yarra Cobras take on West Brunswick in big Women’s Premier League clash