Cricketers come together for third edition of Cobba’s Round in memory of former Narrikup player Greg Steel

Players in the local cricket community will come together on Saturday for the third edition of Cobba’s Round to raise awareness of mental health.

The round will be played in the Albany and Districts Cricket Association in memory of former player and much-loved Narrikup figure Greg Steel.

Steel was affectionately known as Cobba and he called his mates or anyone he crossed paths with by the same name.

After his death in 2019, the Steel family, Narrikup Cricket Club and the ADCA have joined forces to create Cobba’s Round to honour his memory.

On Saturday players from all clubs will come together after their on-field contests from 6pm onwards in the pavilion at North Road and raise money for Beyond Blue.

There will be beef and gravy rolls for sale, bar facilities, and raffles and prizes.

However, the emphasis will be on clubs, friends and families coming together to have a drink for Cobba.

His son Jack Steel will play in the round, lining up for Royals in the A-grade fixtures. Narrikup player and close friend of Cobba, Aldo Lionetti said the day was about people uniting to share a drink and a chat and checking in on one another.

“That’s what it is all about, getting everyone together,” Lionetti said.

“Get down, have a chat and a beer, mingle with others.

“Cobba loved doing that.

“The more people that can get down there the better really, even those not involved with cricket.”

In round seven of the A-grade competition, second-placed Manypeaks will tackle the out-of-form Lions at Turf North. The Lions have just one win from their first four matches after their breakthrough A-grade premiership last season.

Collingwood Park will be out to snap a three-game losing streak when they clash with the red-hot Mt Barker at Turf South.

The undefeated Bulls have made an ominous start to the new season which includes seven bonus points from five matches and consecutive double bonus point thrashings of their rivals in the past fortnight.

The Lions and Narrikup will play each other in the C-grade competition at Hard North to mark Cobba’s Round.