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Official name
Manningham Cobras
Known as
Manningham Cobras
Nickname
Cobras
Former name
Bulleen Cobras
Former name date
2009-01-01
Formed
1996 (merger of Bulleen United and Canterbury-North Balwyn)
Disbanded
2022 (merged with Yarra Old Grammarians)
Colours
Green, red, navy blue and white
Associated clubs
Bulleen United; Canterbury North Balwyn; Old Yarra Cobras
Affiliation (Historical)
Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) 1996–2022
Championships and Trophies
OJ Meehan Medal – Tom Bell 2014; Adam Baltruweit 2017 (2 total)
Postal Address
P.O. Box 142, Balwyn North 3104, Victoria
Formed in 1996 through a merger between VAFA clubs Bulleen United and Canterbury North Balwyn, and known initially as Bulleen Cobras, the club have continued in the same competition since.
They had their best season to date in 2005 when they finished third in D4 Grade. A highlight of the year was Rickard Badanjek’s achievement in kicking 89 goals to top the competition’s goal kicking list. They also finished fourth in the same section in 2001 and 2004. The 2007 season was enormously disappointing, however, as they managed just 3 wins from 18 matches for the year to finish bottom. There was marginal improvement a year later as the Cobras rose to ninth place on the twelve team ladder after finishing with a 5-12 record. At the end of the 2008 season it was announced that the club would henceforth be known as Manningham Cobras.
Under the Manningham name the Cobras reached the Division Four finals in 2014, ultimately finishing fourth. The next couple of seasons saw them struggling somewhat but in 2017 they improved to earn finals qualification and ultimately achieve promotion to Division Three as losing grand finalists. The 2018 season saw them holding their own in Division Three, winning 10 out of 18 matches to finish fifth and miss out on a finals berth only on percentage.
John Devaney - Full Points Publications