GSFL 2024: Royals ready to challenge for another flag with big name additions headlined by Brock Higgins

A heavily bolstered Royals are destined for more success, according to one of their favourite sons who is returning to take over the reins as coach in the upcoming Great Southern Football League season. Darrell Panizza is more than just a household name in the State’s football circles and is returning to the club where he spent 25 years forging one of the most decorated careers in WA football. He won eight premierships in 12 seasons during the club’s golden 1999-2014 era and his eyes are firmly on more flag success. His side will be buoyed by the biggest addition this off-season, with Panizza confirming former WAFL ruckman and man mountain Brock Higgins will suit up in the blue and white this season. The 34-year-old brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Retravision Stadium after playing 165 WAFL league games across 12 decorated seasons with East Perth and South Fremantle. The experienced big man will be joined by former Curtin University teammate Darcy Reader. Reader is a Lions junior and will return to his hometown after spending last season with Dunsborough in the South West Football League. Despite their big name inclusions, Panizza believes his side’s success relies on even contributions from the entire squad. “He’ll (Higgins) be somebody that will be able to help educate young players and hopefully have an influence on the young ruckmen at the club,” he said. “Last time I coached, I coached Darcy (Reader) and he’s coming back this year and I’m coaching again so we know each other pretty well and it’ll be great to have had him back. “But as far as I’m concerned it’s about the group, it’s not about individuals or one person. “Everyone is as important as each other and everybody brings something different and all those ingredients have to go into the pot, and we have to come up with a winning formula.” Panizza believes his talented squad’s depth will enable it to thrive, with significant pressure to perform being a driving force behind their team’s performances. “We’ve got enough ability at the footy club to me to be dangerous and the one thing that we do want to have at our football club is some continuity of players and the development of senior players,” Panizza said. “We want to put pressure on each other to perform because that’s healthy; if you don’t have that competitiveness for positions, you become complacent, you take things for granted and you don’t win a premiership.” The Lions will also be buoyed by the inclusions of key players Zak Mola (achilles), Declan McNamara (knee) and Hamish McMorran (knee) who are set to return from long-term injuries. They will be without gun defender Ryan Flick (travel), contested beast Cam Allison (Esperance) and the skilful Steven Edwards (Kalgoorlie), but Panizza believes their exciting crop of rising stars, including young rebounding half-back flankers Ben Altus and Quinn Bird (Carlisle), can make an immediate impact. The Lions will square off with Mt Barker in the opening round at Retravision Stadium before facing archrivals Railways in round two. 2023 REWIND Finish: Third Best and fairest: Corey Ward Highest Kleemann votes: Joel Flick and Stephen Beal (10) Biggest win: 139 points v Denmark-Walpole Worst loss: 61 points v Albany Highest goal scorer: Nic Ashford (21)