Country Championships: Great Southern Football League finish undefeated to book grand final against Esperance

Great Southern Football League firmed as division three title favourites after finishing their four Nutrien Ag Solution Country Championships pool games undefeated. After a dominant day one where they secured two strong victories, Great Southern backed it up on day two with a pair of crushing victories to finish top of the division and book a grand final berth. Despite missing captain Isaac Baum and star forward Zach Jackson (knee) who sustained tournament-ending injuries on Friday, Great Southern quashed any mental demons they had from last year’s tournament. Buoyed by a sublime backline, Great Southern opened the day with a 27-point victory over Esperance before easing past Central Wheatbelt by 39 points on Saturday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval. Their pressure around the contest was a feature across both games, allowing their star-studded defence, including Brayden Parker, Cam Jones, Kane Pinney and Beau Ewen to set up behind the ball and generate terrific transitions. Bailey Taylor and Jayden Scott were huge in the midfield while Matt Martin, Brett Peake and Revis Alone formed a destructive forward partnership inside-50. Great Southern coach Glynn Verbruggen credited his side’s defensive efforts in their push for the grand final and insisted there is no pressure on them to gain promotion. “I think we pressured their ball carrier really well, which allowed our backs to get off and intercept mark,” Verbruggen said. “We had so many even contributors, I thought Darcy Wallinger playing forward of the ball was outstanding. “Bailey Taylor was strong through the middle, Jayden Scott again was a quality contributor and Nathan Powell in the ruck probably set the tone for us in all four games so far. “There’s no added pressure. Every grand final is the same, you’ve got to get there and play your best footy. “I think if we can isolate (our forwards) one-on-one forward of the ball, everyone that we’ve got in our front six are very dangerous.” Great Southern qualified for the decider after an emphatic 5.4 (34) to 1.1 (7) victory over Esperance to start day two. After a defensive slog in the first half, Great Southern held a two-goal lead at the break before holding their opposition scoreless in the second to clinch the grand final-qualifying win. Scott (one goal) and Taylor were prolific in the engine room, while Royals duo Zak Mola and Declan McNamara also played key roles. Peake (one goal) was instrumental in the forward half alongside Martin (two) and Alone. Great Southern started slowly in their second match against Central Wheatbelt and before a six-goals to nil second half set up a 6.12 (48) to 1.3 (9) triumph. After failing to register a goal in the opening half, Great Southern really turned the cogs in the second, behind two majors from Alone and a moment of brilliance from Peake who invented a spectacular overhead kick. Great Southern will lock horns with Esperance in the decider at Sullivan Logistics Stadium in Leederville on Sunday at 9am. Esperance finished with three wins in their qualifying games after downing Central Wheatbelt by seven points in their second game on Saturday.