Strong Great Southern Football League women’s side named as they aim to reach grand final of country champs

All six clubs will be represented in a strong Great Southern Football League women’s team that will chase title glory at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships in Perth this week. The GSFL sent a women’s team away to compete at the championships for the first time last year and exceeded expectations by reaching the grand final. They went down to an experienced South West outfit by 30 points in the decider but that result has been used as a stepping stone for the Great Southern to select a stronger team for the 2022 campaign. Railways, Denmark-Walpole, Royals, Albany, North Albany and Mt Barker all have representation in the 25-strong squad that will compete on Thursday and Friday at Lane Group Stadium in Mandurah. An expanded women’s division of the country championships will see teams from the South West, Peel, Goldfields, Kimberley, Great Northern, Esperance and Pilbara all take part. GSFL women’s coach Collin Pass said last year’s first foray into representative football had sparked interest among the region’s best players. “Off the back of last year there has been a lot more interest,” Pass said. “They had a lot of fun last year and this year’s group have been fantastic to be honest. “Realistically we are aiming for the grand final after last year’s performance and with the ability of the group but we know there are a number of good teams coming into the competition. “We’ve had a lot of numbers at training and we’ve been able to select a really good team this year and we are extremely happy to have representatives from all clubs.” The Great Southern had five members in the WA Country side that lost to Perth Football League in a State game back in June and four of those will be part of this year’s team. Midfield star Taylah Orzel was captain of the country side and will skipper the Great Southern while midfielder Lily Minter and key talls Sheridan and Georgia Kowald will also feature. Talented pair Tiarna Delli-Benedetti and Lindy Woods have been named vice-captains of the Great Southern side. The teams have been split into two pools and games consist of two 15-minute halves, putting an emphasis on fast starts. “It is a different format this year,” Pass said. “We are going to have to start really quick and I think across the board in the GSFL no teams are really fast starters so that will be a challenge. “We will try to make a commanding start early and let them know we are contenders. “Last year gave us an idea of where we need to be as a league. “The South West are very strong and have just finished their season but last year gave us that taste of what we need to do.” The GSFL will unveil new jumpers at the tournament, predominantly dark blue and with a wave on the front. Pass said the new uniform design was a great representation of the region. “Jen Whittle has done a brilliant job and got a whole uniform designed for women,” he said. “Last year we just played in old GSFL jumpers. “The wave on this design is quite cool and the group are stoked about playing in the new jumpers.” The Great Southern will start against Great Northern at 12.15pm on Thursday before taking on Esperance and Pilbara later that day. On Friday morning the top two in each pool will play in the semifinals and there are other final classification games before the grand final at 3pm. Great Southern Football League Women’s Team 1. Taylah Orzel (Royals), 2. Sheridan Kowald (Mt Barker), 3. Tiarna Delli-Benedetti (Railways), 4. Madison Dallimore (Railways), 5. Ella Scamozzi (Railways), 6. Abby Duncan (Railways), 7. Lindy Woods (Albany), 8. Stephanie Francis (Royals), 9. Rachael Goetze (Royals), 10. Georgia Kowald (Mt Barker), 11. Bree Davy (Royals), 12. Lily Minter (North Albany), 13. Sian Lucas (Albany), 14. Sophie Coates (Denmark-Walpole), 15. Ksharna Coyne (Railways), 16. Laura Archer (North Albany), 17. Kathryn Jennings (Royals), 18. Amarlie Weinert (Albany), 19. Taylah Burt (Royals), 20. Sophie Loveridge (Royals), 21. Marlee Ashton (Albany), 22. Narelle Humphries (North Albany), 23. Jane Devenport (Denmark-Walpole), 24. Laura Cinanni (Railways), 26. Henrietta Lilford (Royals) Fixtures Thursday, September 29 at Lane Group Stadium Great Southern v Great Northern – 12.15pm Great Southern v Esperance – 1.45pm Great Southern v Pilbara – 3.15pm Friday, September 30 at Lane Group Stadium Playoff 1 (3rd Pool 1 v 4th Pool 2) – 11am Stadium Playoff 2 (3rd Pool 2 v 4th Pool 1) – 11am Oval 2 Semifinal 1 (1st Pool 1 v 2nd Pool 2) – Noon Stadium Semifinal 2 (1st Pool 2 v 2nd Pool 1) – Noon Oval 2 5th/6th Playoff (Winner of Playoff 1 v Winner Playoff 2) – 1pm Stadium 7th/8th Playoff (Loser of Playoff 1 v Loser of Playoff 2) – 1pm Oval 2 3rd/4th Playoff (Loser Semifinal 1 v Loser Semifinal 2) – 2pm Stadium Grand Final (Winner Semifinal 1 v Winner Semifinal 2) – 3pm Stadium