More Saturday games as Great Southern Football League confirm men’s fixtures for 2022 season

The Great Southern Football League has confirmed its men’s fixtures for this season, with most matches to be played on Saturdays and the grand final to be held in September at Collingwood Park.

The traditional Anzac Day clash between North Albany and Railways will be played on April 25 at Collingwood Park, headlining the opening round of the season.

A clash between Albany and Denmark-Walpole, who played out a thrilling elimination final last year, will be one of two games that officially kick off the 2022 season on Saturday, April 23.

Continuing the trend towards mostly Saturday football, the GSFL will have 31 games on Saturdays this season, with 13 set down for Sundays.

Every round will feature two Saturday fixtures while the final round of the regular season will have all three games played on Saturdays.

A regular top-four finals system will remain, with the qualifying and elimination finals scheduled for August 27 and 28 respectively, and the preliminary final a week later on September 4.

As part of the GSFL’s grand final rotation policy, the grand final on Sunday, September 11 will be hosted by the Kangas at Collingwood Park.

It will be the first time the grand final is played at Collingwood Park since 2015, when the Kangas won the premiership — part of a run of five straight flags.

Spectators will have to wait until round three to see a grand final rematch between the Tigers and Lions, set down for Retravision Stadium on May 7.

The Tigers will start their title defence against the Kangas, who will be under returning premiership coach Brad Bootsma, and then have a home game against Mt Barker before facing their opponents from last year’s decider.

The GSFL has a two-week break in early June for the long weekend and Great Southern Colts Carnival, and another general bye in July for the Nutrien Country Football Championships in Perth.