Two former AFL greats are set to light up the Great Southern Football League this weekend as Josh Kennedy and Lewis Jetta lock horns for Denmark-Walpole and Royals at McLean Park.
Eagles’ key forward Kennedy is turning out for the Magpies who gained his services after winning the popular Carlton Draft competition — and picked him ahead of West Coast and Sydney Swans star Jetta, who will wear Royals’ blue.
The high profile pair were part of the Eagles famous 2018 premiership win over Collingwood.
Their appearances will be the highlight of events run by both clubs who meet in NAIDOC round on Saturday.
Selected from more than 160 community football clubs across Australia, Denmark-Walpole were one of only six chosen to participate in the 2026 Carlton Draft — an initiative celebrating grassroots football by pairing former AFL stars with local sides for a one-off league match.
Denmark-Walpole president Sam Keenan was a happy man ahead of the biggest game of the year.
“We had to write a blurb about who our biggest rivals were, and I put Mt Barker, given they are our country cousins,” he said.
“It was just unfortunate the players’ schedules didn’t line up with our games against the Bulls, but we picked Kennedy and here we are.
“It’s fantastic; it’s great for the club and for the town, which is buzzing.
“I’ve had so many calls about it — it’s really gone crazy.
“The committee, social committee and volunteers have all been doing a huge amount of work behind the scenes to get the day off the ground.
“Everyone I bump into is going to be at the club — they can’t wait to see JK and Lewis Jetta take the field.
“Local footy means so much to the community as a whole and is a wonderful way to bring people together.”
With player-coach James Charlesworth bagging goals for fun this season, another full forward in the shape of 2018 flag-winner Kennedy, who kicked 712 goals for the Eagles, will make for a competitive forward line.
“There’s no doubt the big dogs will be down for this,” Keenan said.
He said Kennedy would be at training on Thursday and would also team up with Jetta and much-loved Albany boy Jeremy McGovern, another West Coast great, for a question-and-answer session after Saturday’s game.
Jetta will be training with the Royals on Thursday and then facing a question-and-answer session in what club president Brayden Dunkeld believes will be the highlight of the season.
“There’s so much excitement, we are looking forward to getting him down here,” he said.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the club, especially for the young players, and I hope everyone gets out and supports the energy we have brought to the Great Southern.”
He said it was great for the league to have past greats involved in a showpiece contest.
“It’s great for the local competition,” Dunkeld said.
“Any exposure is good and having these legends come down is really putting the GSFL on the map.”
Other AFL legends taking part across the country are Gary Ablett Jr, Gary Rohan, Dyson Heppell and Josh Gibson.
The league contest between Denmark-Walpole and Royals starts at 2.30pm, headlining round 10 of the season.
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