Football squad puts faith in youth

Great Southern Football League senior coach James McRae is excited by the make-up of his 30-man squad named on Sunday to tackle the annual Landmark Country Football Championships, which begin on Thursday in Perth.

The GSFL selected a young but experienced squad as they aim for a return to division 2 by winning the division 3 title this weekend against the Hills, North Midlands and Central Wheatbelt football leagues.

McRae was pleased with the final squad and said this was a side the GSFL wanted to develop over the next few years.

"We have not purposely chosen a young side, but we tried to get the best side available," McRae said.

"The young blokes put their hand up and they are in good form.

"Hopefully, this squad can keep growing over the next few years."

The return of seasoned campaigners Sam Lehmann and Ryan Kinnear will strengthen the side after the pair missed last year's carnival.

McRae said Lehmann and Kinnear were named co-captains of the GSFL side, given their wealth of experience at the championships, where they have represented the league on numerous occasions.

The side also includes former WAFL players Jayden Woods, Jarrod Whittle, Bodhi Stubber, Michael Bennell and Jake Louthean.

Key defender Taylor Powell was named in the side on Sunday but has since withdrawn and been replaced by emergency Jesse D'Sylva, while injured Kleemann Medallist Brent Welshman was ruled out.

Ruckman Etienne Vorster will undergo a fitness test this week to determine if he plays at the carnival, and defender Graham Ross was selected but can only play on Saturday if they make the grand final.

McRae said Daniel Parker and Zak Hortin will be the focal points up forward and they have a wealth of players to run through the midfield. "We have got two sensational key forwards," he said. "We have good mids and a lot of speed, so we want to get the ball on the outside."

GSFL colts Kaden King-Davies and Cameron Smith were included in the squad and will play if the colts do not reach the finals on Saturday and the seniors do.

At the jumper presentation at Collingwood Park on Sunday, GSFL veterans Scott Hillman, Brett Hall and Nathan Skinner were recognised for their outstanding service to the carnival, each player receiving a framed action shot of themselves.

GSFL Senior squad *

Sam Lehmann (C), Ryan Kinnear (C), Jayson Ford, Michael McGlade, Brayden Parker, Craig Frost, David Parker, Zak Hortin, Jayden Woods, Jack Hickey, Michael Parker, Ben Grey, Jarrod Whittle, Alec Haskins, Matt Van Schayk, David Stone, Jake Welshman, Bodhi Stubber, Robert Lee, Graham Ross, Michael Bennell, Etienne Vorster, Jesse D'Sylva, Jake Louthean, Kris Cramer, Haydn Sproxton, Daniel Parker, Geoff Wynne, Kaden King-Davies, Cameron Smith.