Country Championships: Great Southern ready for the heat of battle in division two despite key omissions

The Great Southern Football League is confident they have the right mix to challenge the best teams in division two of the Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships this week. Great Southern’s division three title triumph last year will be a distant memory when they kick off their new campaign on Friday against arguably the best side in division two — Upper Great Southern. Upper Great Southern present a formidable first-up test for the Great Southern outfit but coach Glynn Verbruggen is adamant his group can more than handle themselves stepping up. “It will be huge challenge first-up but if you want to win the carnival you’ve got to play them at stage,” he said. “When the lists came out, all other sides look really strong and everyone has nearly got best available so there should be some real exciting games played. “For us we are really excited about that younger crop of players coming through, the likes of Ryley Valli, Darcy Wallinger, Kobi Keen and Darcy Clake come through and play great carnival footy.” Great Southern have named a strong squad for the championships, headlined by skipper Isaac Baum, former WAFL midfielder Morgan Davies, Kleemann medallist Ryley Valli and key ball winners Daniel Patching and Darcy Clarke. However their travelling team will be without utility and State country representative Bailey Taylor. Taylor played a massive role in Great Southern’s title success last year but is out with work commitments. Injuries will prevent star duo Brayden Parker and Kane Pinney from taking part in the championships while the other big omission is power forward Hayden Parker. Hayden Parker has been the most dominant forward in the GSFL this season, booting 58 goals in eight games. His stellar season includes two bags of 11 and one 10-goal haul but the Railways spearhead was not available. Denmark-Walpole star Tyler Stone is also not available. Great Southern’s front half will be the biggest watch over the championships, with no Hayden Parker or Tyler Stone. Ex-AFL player Brett Peake will shoulder a big load in the forward 50m but Verbruggen said his side will play a fast, attacking style to suit their size. “We’ve had a good preparation but we will be a really small side in B-grade,” he said. “We will play a way that compliments that and have been focusing that way, moving the ball quick as we can’t just dump it in long.” Isaac Baum will captain the side while Joel Want will be Verbruggen’s assistant coach. After the early acid test, Great Southern will tackle Eastern Districts in their second game on Friday. Great Southern then close out their qualifying games on Saturday against North Pilbara and Ongerup. Great Southern squad 1. Kobi Keen (North Albany) 2. Daniel Patching (Mt Barker) 3. Morgan Davies (Albany) 4. Tait McLean (Albany) 5. Brent Parsons (Mt Barker) 6. Matt Orzel (North Albany) 7. Darcy Wallinger (Mt Barker) 8. Ryan Davies (Railways) 9. Isaac Baum (Albany) 10. Brock Anning (Albany) 11. Tyreice Brown (Mt Barker) 12. Ryley Valli (Railways) 13. Robbie Lee (Albany) 14. Camball McMahon (Mt Barker) 15. Darcy Clarke(Mt Barker) 16. David Stone (Mt Barker) 17. Taj Williams (Albany) 18. Brett Peake (Albany) 19. Corey Linthorne (Royals) 20. Nelson Tulip (Denmark-Walpole) 21. Mitchell Jackson (Mt Barker) 22. Tristan Ballard (Mt Barker) 23. Travis Conn (North Albany) 24. Bodhi Stubber (Railways) 25. Jayden Scott (Railways) 26. Beau Ewen (Railways) 27. Jyrin Woods (North Albany) 28. Drew Willcocks (North Albany) 29. Nathan Powell (Royals) 30. Dante Wiseman (Mt Barker)