VAFA Statement

The Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) confirms that AFL Victoria has approved the transfer of Old Yarra Cobras to the Eastern Football Netball League (EFNL), commencing in the 2027 season.

Old Yarra Cobras was created following the merger of Yarra Old Grammarians Football Club and Manningham Cobras Football Club at the conclusion of the 2022 VAFA season.

Yarra Old Grammarians was first established as a VAFA Club in 1993 by former students of Yarra Valley Grammar School. Manningham Cobras was formed in 1996 after a merger of Canterbury North Balwyn United and Bulleen United, who had been a VAFA club since 1975.

In 2026, Old Yarra Cobras had teams competing in Men’s Division 1, Premier B Women’s and Division 3 Women’s.

As the Old Yarra Cobra senior Men’s team finished last in Division 1 this year, there will need to be changes made to the usual two team promotion / relegation impacting Division 2 and 3 in 2027.  

It’s important to note that VAFA has been having very positive discussions with a number of our clubs around expanding the number of teams that will make up our Division 3 Football competition for 2027. All feedback to date indicates the return to a minimum eight (possibly more) team competition, whilst maintaining 10 teams in each of Division 1 and 2.

Recommendations for the 2027 structure of Divisional Men’s and Women’s competitions will be canvassed with all relevant clubs in the coming weeks.