Star defender Alec Haskins leaves Magpies to rejoin Kangas for 2022 Great Southern Football League season

Quality defender Alec Haskins has returned to North Albany after playing the past three seasons with rival club Denmark-Walpole.

Haskins has won premierships with both the Magpies and Kangas but will return to Collingwood Park for the new Great Southern Football League season that starts in nine days.

He won the 2010 GSFL premiership with the Magpies before joining the Kangas in 2014 and was part of four winning league grand finals.

Haskins moved back to the Magpies in 2019 and has enjoyed three terrific seasons with the club, which included a grand final appearance in 2020, and he was their captain in 2021.

Player clearances in the GSFL are no longer available for public viewing but Haskins is among a number of big names on the move for the 2022 season.

He will return to the red and white colours as the returning Brad Bootsma takes the reins as league coach once again.

The Kangas will face a stern first-up test against reigning premiers Railways in the traditional Anzac Day clash on April 25.

Albany’s bid to improve on their preliminary final exit has received a boost with the signature of star midfielder Isaac Baum.

Baum’s clearance from Boxwood Hill in the Ongerup Football Association to the Sharks was approved in March.

In 2020 Baum played one match for the Sharks when Boxwood Hill had a bye.

Baum was part of Boxwood’s losing grand final team last year and also had a stint with WAFL club Claremont.

Royals star Steven Edwards is another big name on the move, with a clearance made to play for Wongan Ballidu in the Mortlock Football League.

Edwards played for the Lions in 2019 and again last year, kicking two goals in their grand final defeat to Railways.

A clearance was lodged on March 31 for Edwards by Wongan Ballidu.