GSFL to play hard and fast

Great Southern Football League senior coach James McRae has called on his side to make a statement in their return to division 2 of the Landmark Country Football Championships, which begin today in Perth.

After their memorable win in division 3 last year, the GSFL will face a much tougher task in the next few days, but McRae believes it is a great opportunity for his group to show their mettle.

McRae says his side will play a high-pressure, high-intensity style of game against their opponents, with the emphasis being on a fast start in the games consisting of two 20-minute halves.

"We have got to play a high- intensity game and put pressure on the opposition from the first bounce," he said.

"We have to get a fast start, you can play 27 blokes, so we will have high rotations and we are a young, fit, mobile side.

"You can't be too worried about the opposition, we need to worry about our own game."

The GSFL will come up against Mortlock Football League in their championship opener at HBF Arena at noon today before meeting Central Coastal Midlands Football League at 2.20pm.

McRae, who will be assisted by Michael Cramer, said he has high expectations of this group.

"You have got to make sure you win enough games to make the final," he said.

"The opposition are hard to gauge.

"The expectation is to make the grand final and win it, but I just want us to play our best footy.

"It's a big step up from division 3 and we have struggled the last few years we have been there."

The GSFL will play Lower South West Football League at noon tomorrow and then clash with Eastern Districts Football League at 2.20pm, both at ATOM Stadium.

The division 2 final will be played at Medibank Stadium on Sunday.