Big wins help GSFL reach division 3 final

Dominant victories over Regional Allstars and Central Wheatbelt Football League helped the Great Southern Football League reach the division 3 grand final after starting their campaign with a loss.

The GSFL senior side, with only 19 players, coughed up a lead to be overrun by Eastern Districts Football League in their first match at Arena Joondalup on Friday and they conceded the first goal against North Midlands Football League later that day.

However, they quickly turned the fortunes of their carnival around, which coincided with the arrival of Great Southern Storm colts player Jayden Scott as they kicked a run of 12 goals to put their rivals to the sword.

Scott drove from Mandurah to Joondalup and arrived after the game had started but his injection at half-forward was vital, kicking two goals and setting another up as his side raced out to a 35-point lead.

The GSFL added another nine majors in the second as they won by 83 points with Zac Pearson booting four goals while Joel Want, Jack McPhee and Kenton Gibbs were terrific.

A 13-goal afternoon from Kym Monteath then powered the GSFL into the division 3 grand final after his heroics helped sink Regional Allstars by 35 points and then Central Wheatbelt by 91 point at Claremont Oval on Saturday.

There were a number of forced changes to the GSFL side for day two of the Landmark Country Football Championships, with Ryan Gaerth, Joel Want and Jacob Hobbs all out while Monteath, Tyler Stone, Andrew Ruck and Tom Wolfe were all included.

Monteath proved the decisive move as he enjoyed a day out in the final two regular games, finishing off his teammates good work.

He booted 4.3 in the win over Regional Allstars as the GSFL booted the first four goals of the second half to end their rivals’ carnival.

Continuing his damaging form up front, Monteath bagged 9.2 and kicked two out on the full as the GSFL ran rampant keeping Central Wheatbelt to a single goal.

However, the two wins came at a cost, losing former WAFL duo Ruck and Mitch Green to serious injuries.

In the grand final, the GSFL conceded the first five goals and could never recover as a hamstring injury to Cameron Allison made things difficult.

The GSFL kicked the final three goals of the decider but it was too late as Eastern Districts proved too strong, 9.10 (64) to 5.6 (36).

Gibbs was outstanding across the three days, impressing many with his aerial marking, while Orzel was named in the Landmark Country All Stars and was well supported by Barrow, McPhee and Allison.

Monteath finished the championships with 15 goals in three games and was the only multiple goal kicker in the grand final.