Great Southern Storm coach Glynn Verbruggen looks to midfield depth at country football championships

Great Southern Storm head coach Glynn Verbruggen believes added midfield depth will be a strength of his side at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships that start today in Perth. The Storm were set to play at the championships back in July but they were postponed due to a snap COVID-19 lockdown in the Perth and Peel regions. After playing at the Great Southern Colts Carnival in Kulin earlier this year, the Storm have a strong squad assembled for their tilt at a maiden colts title at the annual champs in Perth. Carson Flower, Jye Williss, Mitch Collier, Toby Hall and Heath Ravenhill are inclusions to the team from the earlier carnival but they will be without key players Rhori Williams-Jolley, Seb Stanton, Luke Mowaljarlai Jr, Noah Madaffari and Jarrod Brack. The Storm continue their relationship with zoned WAFL club Claremont and have included three players from the Kimberley in the squad of 25. “We are pretty excited about the team that we are taking away,” Verbruggen said. “Jye Williss and Carson Flower add some midfield depth and the whole group is really excited about the Kimberly boys coming in. “I think we have added some real midfield depth to this team so that will be a strength we are looking to utilise. “We will be looking for the Kimberley boys to just play their roles and come into the team and do what they need to.” Verbruggen believes ruckman Xavier Brenton-Reed, hard-running midfielders Carson Flower and Max Baker, talented key position player Kyle Smith and ball winner Darcy Wallinger will be vital to his side’s chances. “A lot of boys probably thought they would miss out on this type of carnival footy, so to get this up and running is a really good opportunity for some of the boys,” he said. “We have had some really good sessions so we have prepared well and looking to get away and play some competitive footy. “Playing Avon first up will be a real test and I think that will show us where we are for the rest of the carnival. “It’s definitely a good opportunity for a lot of boys — some of them are looking to further their footy careers.” The CBH Group colts division will be played at Fremantle Community Bank Oval and Claremont’s Revo Fitness Stadium featuring the Great Southern, Avon, Regional Districts, South West, Pilbara and Peel. The Storm face Avon at noon today before facing Regional Districts at 2pm. Tomorrow they clash with Pilbara at 10.30am and then Peel at 2.30pm before the top two sides play off in the grand final at 3.30pm. GREAT SOUTHERN STORM COLTS TEAM Max Baker, Mitch Collier, Marlin Bennett (Albany), Sebastian Ballard, Tristan Ballard, Seth Jones, Jye Williss, Kyle Smith, Darcy Wallinger (Mt Barker), Heath Ravenhill (North Albany), Xavier Brenton-Reed, Toby Hall, Coen Jackman, Mohit Jaggi, Tom Gawned (Railways), Carson Bristow, Cooper Childs, Connor Lazar, Carson Flower, Ryan Lazar, Ryley Valli, William Cousins (Royals), Jac Coltman, Elizah Dingo, Trayvon Stretch (Kimberley). CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES Today at Fremantle Community Bank Oval Great Southern v Avon — Noon Great Southern v Regional Districts — 2pm Tomorrow at Revo Fitness Stadium Great Southern v Pilbara — 10.30am Great Southern v Peel — 2.30pm Grand final — 3.30pm