In just their second year, the Parkes Cobras were on track to play finals in the Western Premier League (WPL) before the league announced it would have to cancel the rest of the season.
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It marked the end of a fantastic year full of growth on and off the field for the Cobras, and will leave many wondering 'what could have been' for a side many had picked as dark horses for the premiership.
WPL general manager Peter Mitchell told Australian Community Media that given there was still plenty that could play out, and finals spots still up in the air, the league wouldn't be acknowledging a winner.
"The Western Premier League will not award major and minor premierships for the 2021 season," he said.
"The 2021 season will end at round 17. The competition table will remain how it was at the conclusion of round 17.
Cobras coach Meaghan Kempson was in full agreeance with Mitchell, mainly because it was really impossible to know who would have gone on to win the premiership.
"I absolutely agree with the call not to award it, we know what this competition is like, and absolutely anyone in the top six could have won it," said Kempson.
The Cobras took a massive step up in the second season, and were much more consistent in employing Kempson's attacking game plan that made the side one of the most electric to watch in the WPL.
The side fortunately got out of the habit of going missing for 10 minutes every game, and on their day it was obvious they could beat anyone.
Kempson was pretty clear on one major part of football the Cobras need to improve on next season, though.
"Composure in front of goal, it's where we seem to fall apart," she said.
"The boys are creating opportunities, but it's almost like they don't feel like they deserve to be scoring; so we just need to be more confident."
The Cobras got a couple of fantastic marquee recruits in the preseason, namely star Mitch Hutchings and Irish import Marty Doherty, but when both missed significant chunks of time to injury, Kempson said it took some time for the rest of the team to step up.
"In the beginning, some of our consistent boys were happy to let the marquee men take the reins and bit of complacency crept in...and when the marquee guys got injured it took them awhile to step back up.
"But towards the back-end of the season, the boys really understood their role and got a bit of confidence back."
High
When the Cobras knocked off ladder leaders the Orange Waratahs on July 31 at home, the crowd was PUMPED. This was the most impressive result in the club's short history and it started their push for a finals spot.
Low
It was like a car crash in slow motion. When the Cobras faced Orana Spurs on June 5 in Dubbo, the Spurs slammed home four early goals, consigning Parkes to a 5-3 defeat and taking them out of the top six. It took awhile to recover from.
Best moment
This is a pretty easy one. When Lachlan Hando's head connected with a Ben Coultas cross in the 86th minute of the Cobra's game against Dubbo Macquarie on August 4, it gave Parkes a thrilling 3-2 win with just minutes remaining.
It meant so much more than just a winning goal, though. It was a tough away game on a Wednesday night against one of the competition's top sides, and until that moment it looked like the Cobras finals chances were shot.
The header breathed new life into the entire squad and set them back on track to play finals in just the club's second season.
Coach says
"This year the players really stood up and showed how proud they were to be representing Parkes and the Cobras.
"Akka (Alec Bateson) was the face of that in many respects, he has lots of connections around the league but his passion for us really started to build and he grew enormously as a leader this season.
"We do belong in this league, I have no doubt about that and now neither do the boys," said Kempson.
2022 prospects
The Cobras squad will remain relatively stable heading into its third year, and Kempson is full of hope that the club can be challenging for the flag in 2022.
"The majority of the squad will remain the same, though unfortunately Adam Parker will be moving to Newcastle so that's a huge hole for us to fill," she said.
"We are nearly at the point where the WPL has gained enough traction that juniors are now starting to filter through, and youngsters are seeing the Cobras as an option for their football career.
"Having another 12 months up our belts for cohesion and training under a specific style and strategy, has been so important to improve our consistency, and the understanding of our club philosophy and mentality.
There are still areas we can improve, of course, but we have been much less 'hit and miss' than we were last year, and the gap between our best and worst games is now much smaller - and that's really important," said Kempson.
MVP
Central midfield is the engine room of every football side, and the Cobras are very lucky to have an outstanding player running the show there - Brent Tucker according to Kempson.
"Tucker is an 'alpha male' without even trying," she said.
"He is just so level-headed and has a presence and aura that everyone else in the side really looks up to.
"When the chips are down he really digs in and he's the heart and soul of the team.
"Tucker IS the Parkes Cobras," Kempson said.
- READ ALSO: Who would be crowned Parkes' top athlete?
An honourable mention to silky-skilled attacking midfielder Alec Bateson, who was a constant threat up forward and a huge part in the way the Cobras attacked.
Rising star
Charlie Denham-Jones is still only 16 but the raw, lanky teenager is lightning quick and is very dangerous with the ball at his feet. He provided an instant energy lift to the team when injected into the play on a wing, and is a really exciting prospect in a side that values attacking players very highly.
The sky is the limit for Charlie!
Most improved
A lot of Cobras took a step up in 2021. In fact, it's fair to say pretty much every player improved in their second year under head coach Meaghan Kempson. But one Cobra who took a step bigger than most was defender Hayden Westcott.
He doesn't have the height of most centre backs but he makes up for that with really clever tactical smarts and a 'never say die' attitude that makes him an absolute pleasure to watch.
Kempson could not have been more impressed with his season.
"Westy was one of the boys last year that was a utility who'd play 30 minutes every week, but when Scott Knights left we needed a new centre back, and I put it to him about making the position his own," she said.
"He was keen to take on the challenge, and he was amazing and our rock down back.
"His awareness and ability to read the game really help him, and despite him being unsure of his own technical attributes he is just so level-headed and tactically aware and a fantastic centre back," said Kempson.
And what better way to round off the Cobras 2021 season in review than a heart warming story from Kempson that shows just how much this club has endeared itself to the entire region.
"One of the most important moments for me was when we were playing a home game at Woodward Oval earlier this season," said Kempson.
"I looked across the field and saw the supporters, but behind them was a group of kids playing a little game of soccer and we'd never had that before.
"And after the game a group of girls came up to talk to me because they wanted to meet me and it also made me realise the impact of having a female in a position like this in Parkes.
"We are the club for everyone," Kempson said.
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