GSFLW 2024: Dream run and straight sets, Railways and Mt Barker to lock horns in pulsating preliminary final

Railways are hoping to keep their dream Great Southern Football League women’s finals run alive when they travel to Mt Barker to face the Bulls in the preliminary final on Friday evening. The Tigers overcame a slow start to upset last year’s premiers Royals in a rousing elimination final on Friday, ending their cross-town rival’s season prematurely. Their sensational win was off the back of staunch stoppage work led by bullying midfield star Kathryn Slattery and Ksharna Coyne who provided constant efforts on the outside. The two must fire along with their other stars including lively forward Chelsea Geddes and captain Tiarna Delli-Benedetti. Key defender Evie Brenton-Reed will likely be tasked with quelling the impact of the competition’s leading goalkicker and Bulls star Mikayla Balloch. Balloch has booted a competition-high 21 goals in her 10 matches including bags of seven and four against North Albany. The Bulls will be out to avoid a disastrous end to the season with a straight sets exit after they were downed by last year’s grand finalists Albany in the qualifying final on Friday. Bulls left their comeback slightly too late and were defeated by just three points by the Sharks at Retravision Stadium. The silky Kaitlin Eades, crafty Sophie Richards and dominant Georgia Kowald have been enormous in the Bulls’ impressive season but must find another gear on Friday night to secure a grand final berth. Despite finishing fourth, the Tigers have beaten their preliminary final opponents both times this season. The Tigers opened their account in the opening round of the season with a commanding 24-point victory followed by a thrilling one-point win during Pride Round. The match bounces down at 6.45pm on Friday at Sounness Park with the winner advancing through to the big dance against the Sharks.