Country Championships: Host of big name inclusions for GSFL senior side in bid to win division three title

The Great Southern Football League have unfinished business at this year’s Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships, according to coach Glynn Verbruggen. The GSFL will field a strong senior team at the annual championships in Perth this week and have their eyes firmly set on the division three title after an indifferent campaign in 2023. After a three-year absence the Great Southern returned to the football carnival last year and started in red-hot fashion winning their first two games. However, frustrating losses to Esperance and Hills on the second day dashed the Great Southern’s hopes of reaching the grand final. That disappointment and the addition of quality young guns and vital senior experience has the Great Southern eager to redeem themselves. “We have got close to best available talent which is pleasing,” Verbruggen said. “It’s a good spread of youth and experience. “This group is pretty excited to get up there and get stuck in. “We are expecting to be playing on Sunday (in the final). “There are definitely a few things we can improve on from last year, but I think there is some unfinished business for this group after last year.” Former AFL player and competition leading goalkicker Brett Peake will play for the GSFL for the first time since moving to Albany while brilliant Sharks defender Kane Pinney and State country representative Bailey Taylor are other key additions. The side will also be strengthened by the services of West Coast Eagle WAFL player Revis Alone, Royals captain Brayden Parker, Lions midfielder Zak Mola and Sharks spearhead Matt Martin. Verbruggen said he would have full availability of his squad of 30 during the carnival. “A lot of these guys missed last year through various reasons,” he said. “We are more dangerous inside forward 50 than last year. “With Peake, Martin and (Zach) Jackson, if we can get one-on-ones ahead of the ball it will create headaches for the opposition. “Bailey will play predominantly as an inside mid, complementing Jayden Scott.” However in a major blow, in-form ball winner Declan McNamara has withdrawn with soreness and Hamish McMorran (sore) also hasn’t got up. Joel Flick (concussion) and Kobi Keen (side strain) will also miss the championships. Star midfielder Ryley Valli, speedster Brock Anning and the skilful Brent Parsons are among some of the young talent who have made the final side, all coming out of the Great Southern Storm program and each with WAFL experience. “I’m really looking forward to seeing how Ryley goes at this level coming off a full year in a WAFL program,” Verbruggen said. “As well as the likes of Parsons, (Darcy) Wallinger, (Jayden) Scott, (Brock) Anning, (Tyreice) Brown and (Drew) Willcocks. “It’s fantastic to have that natural progression … some of these guys I coached in the Storm program and now they are in seniors and we are now looking at guys as soon as they come out of the Storm to join us at senior level.” The senior campaign for the Great Southern starts on Friday at Gil Fraser Reserve with games against Onshore Cup and North Midlands before they face Esperance at 10am on Saturday at Fremantle Oval. Great Southern’s final qualifying game will be against Central Wheatbelt, who were relegated from division two, at 11am and the top two sides from division three will meet in Sunday’s grand final at Leederville Oval at 9am. Troy Leo, Matt Orzel and Joel Want will be part of Verbruggen’s coaching staff and former carnival stalwart Ryan Kinnear has taken on a support role and will be the runner. The GSFL senior side had co-captains in Orzel and Logan Stubber last year but the new captain will be announced once the team comes together in Perth. GSFL squad 1. Revis Alone (Denmark-Walpole) 2. Daniel Patching (Mt Barker) 4. Ben Olden (Denmark-Walpole) 5. Brock Anning (Albany) 6. Ryan Davies (Railways) 7. Darcy Wallinger (Mt Barker) 8. Brayden Parker (Royals) 9. Isaac Baum (Albany) 10. Brent Parsons (Mt Barker) 11. Tyreice Brown (Mt Barker) 12. Ryley Valli (Railways) 13. Kane Pinney (Albany) 14. Robbie Lee (Albany) 15. Bailey Taylor (Albany) 16. Camball McMahon (Mt Barker) 18. Zach Jackson (Mt Barker) 19. Brett Peake (Albany) 20. Graham Ross (North Albany) 21. Zak Mola (Royals) 22. Jayden Scott (Railways) 24. Cameron Jones (Albany) 25. Mitch Jackson (Mt Barker) 26. Beau Ewen (Railways) 27. Leighton Smith (Railways) 28. Nick Barrow (North Albany) 29. Jyrin Woods (North Albany) 30. Drew Willcocks (North Albany) 31. Nathan Powell (Royals) 32. Stephen Beal (Royals) 33. Matt Martin (Albany)