Shooting for the top

By Tania Martin
KILSYTH Cobras has launched its 2009 SEABL campaign with one goal in site – the premiership flag.
The club last Tuesday announced its intentions for the coming season along with its new naming rights sponsor.
Swinburne University Lilydale is the new principal partner.
Deputy dean Janet Gregory said the university was really excited about the partnership.
“We are a committed member of local region and are extremely proud to be able to support young people in the area,” she said.
Men’s coach Grant Wallace said 2009 would bring some exciting on-court action.
He said last year had been fought with injuries but the side was well on track for the season starter next month.
Wallace said there were a number of familiar faces returning to the court including Chris Payne who is back from a workplace accident.
Payne was electrocuted while at work last year but has fought hard to get back on the team.
“It’s amazing that he’s up and walking let along playing basketball – it’s great to see him back on track,” Wallace said.
D. J. Taylor will also return and hopes to rack up his 350th game this season.
Wallace said the team was in good shape for the first bounce of the season.
He said the men made the finals in 2005 and 2007 and were hoping to make the grade again this year.
“If the rotation system goes the way in the past we will back there again this year,” Wallace said.
“We are looking forward to having a great year … our ultimate goal is to make a home final.”
Wallace said the men’s side was balanced with good depth in the bench on and off the court.
The Lady Cobras are looking for back-to-back victories this year.
Coach Jason Knight said the number one goal for the season was to make the finals and be competitive in that all-important last game of the season.
He said the team had welcomed a few new faces but the majority of the squad was the same.
Knight said it would all come down to seeing what the competition had to offer after round one or two.
“There are a lot of rumours flying around about who has got who we will have to wait and see,” he said.
“I am very comfortable how we recruited … we are doing really well on the training track and are ready to go.”
The Cobras will kick off their 2009 season in Bendigo on March 14, with the men playing their first home game on March 21 and the women joining them in a double-header on 5 April.