With Round 1 fast approaching, Scoop has caught up with all ten senior footy coaches as they prepare for season 2026!
After a taste of finals football in 2025 expect the Cobras to be hungry for more success this year.
SCOOP: Well Dennis, you’ve added some quality depth to the squad over the off season - the vibe around the club must be upbeat after a taste of finals last year?
DENNIS ARMFIELD: Making finals last year was a great result for our club. And 2026 it all resets. We have added some great quality to our list and the growth internally this preseason is positive too. The vibe is high off the back of hard work, and we are looking forward to continuing the journey.
S: The unfortunate departure of Jake McCreery opens the door for a new look midfield alongside Luke Goetz and Jamie Fulton. Who of the rising next gen talent have the qualities to move into these pivotal roles?
DA: We never want to lose players, yet we support him on his future journey. We have had several players challenge themselves to take that step, Kovacevic, Griffiths, Locke, McKercher. We also can’t forget another year into Parente, Huxtable and Shea is like a fine wine.
S: While scoring wasn’t a problem for you last year (82 points per game), the defence was leaky conceding 80 ppg - would you consider a move behind the ball for the returning Joel Freeman?
DA: We have adjusted our system, our defence won’t rely on individuals. It also won’t rely on our back 6 only. We had made adjustments to both system and personnel which we will look to fine tune over the rest of pre-season in praccy games.
S: How do you go about getting more bang for buck around stoppage with the advantage of leading ruckman Luke Goetz?
DA: An interesting question. We were #2 for clearances in 2025, which is a huge positive considering the midfields we come up against. An area now for us is scores from stoppages and challenging opposition a little more. Having different mixes and clarity of roles will help us to keep this area strong.
S: Tell us about the two new faces from Corowa and Hoppers Crossing?
DA: We have had returning players have a huge impact this preseason plus the ones above in your question. Canning is a terrific young man who has raised the 2-way running requirements and lifted the intensity of the group. While Vesty comes with huge upside and flexibility. A tall ball user who can play several roles and have impact in all. Another player who is lifting the culture and asking great questions to impact on field.
AREAS OF IMPROVEMENT
DA: As a coach you hope for improvement in all areas. As mentioned above I feel our defensive system, our fitness and our ability to control turnovers will be improvements. As well as the spread of load across 22 selected players.
INS & OUTS
In: H. Canning (Corowa, O&M), J. Freeman (Newport), H. Coulton (returning from Perth), B. Griffiths (Gordon), S. Griffiths (Gordon), Z. Vesty (Hoppers Crossing)
Out: J. Goble (Point Cook), Z. Tuohy, J. McCreery (Red Cliffs)
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS
Isaac Nixon (Werribee), Rye Penny, Josh Huxtable (Williamstown)
PRACTICE MATCH SCHEDULE
March 14 v Deer Park (VTBD),
March 21 v Williamstown YCW (VTBD)
CLUB IMPROVERS TIP
DA: I think the competition as a whole will improve, some talent coming into our comp across the board. If I had to pick one only, I feel North Ballarat will be very competitive this season, with another year under Proctor.
FLAG TIP
DA: Hard to go past the team with 20+ win in a row, Darley. While I think Sunbury with the returning players are my tip.
SCOOP SAYS
Plenty of scope at the Cobras - just how much will be a season long challenge for Armfield and his boys as they look to make it back-to-back finals appearances.
The return of some familiar faces in the name of the Griffiths boys Billy and Sam, Joel Freeman and Hamish Coulton will add invaluable depth to a progressive group, I’m unsure where they sit in the pecking order. Don’t let that be a bad thing at all - the Cobras shift from competitive to bona fide dangerous remains a work in progress.
Star forward Jake Owen is in super nick and raring to go alongside premier ruckman Luke Goetz.
The next gen crop of promising talent at the Cobras will be looking to impact games more often, challenging their more experienced opponents on any given day.
Look for the younger brigade to take another step forward in the ownership of the club’s fortunes in 2026.
While making finals would be a par for me, winning a final would officially announce the Cobras arrival under Armfield moving forward.
Projected finish: 5th-7th
