Cobram Roar is “more than ready” for the 2022 Albury Wodonga Football Association season, with new coach Vince Iannucci at the helm for what is sure to be a big year.
After two years of interruptions, Iannucci wants to see the people of Cobram back at the soccer, with a goal of rebuilding the atmosphere at the club.
“Our goal is to get everyone back to the game,” Iannucci said.
“I want people from the community to come to the game and watch the local team.
“COVID-19 has been a real distraction for the last two years for me and really for the club — we just want people to come, have a look and enjoy the new clubrooms, which we really haven't had a good opportunity to utilise.
“The on-field stuff will look after itself, if we can get the off-field right, they both go hand in hand, we’re really trying to get that community atmosphere back at the club.”
This mission started this week, with a Wednesday night Albury Wodonga men’s FA Cup clash against Wodonga Diamonds at Melrose Park.
The Roar will then be looking to back up that performance against Myrtleford on Sunday, when the AWFA division one men’s season kicks off.
The game against Myrtleford is sure to be an exciting one and Iannucci is happy with how his team looks.
He said a solid showing in pre-season last Sunday against Canberra Premier League club Yoogali showed it was ‘’more than ready’’ for the season.
“We lost the game one-nil, but in saying that, the way we played and the players still yet to return point to a pretty competitive season,” Iannucci said.
These returning players include former coach Bill Puckett, Spiro Vourgaslis and Justin Smith, with Iannucci saying supporters could expect a more polished forward line this year.
The team is also set to be more defensively sound, with new signing Jack Smith joining Marius Williams in the centre of defence.
The side will spend the first two weeks of the season at home, hosting Myrtleford this week, followed by Wangaratta in the next round.
“It will be a good tester for us, it’s best to get off on the front foot,” Iannucci said.
The men’s senior team will kick of its season on Sunday, at 3pm at Cobram, while the women have a bye this week.