Great Southern Football League shock as dual Kleemann medallist Zane Marwick joins rival club Denmark-Walpole

In a Great Southern Football League bombshell, dual Kleemann medallist and Railways premiership player Zane Marwick will play for Denmark-Walpole in the opening round of the 2021 season on Saturday. The winner of the 2015 and 2017 Kleemann medals as the GSFL’s best and fairest player will run out for the Magpies alongside his younger brother Coen Marwick on Saturday at Centennial Stadium. The Magpies are confident the 27-year-old will play a portion of the season for his new club. Zane Marwick is a dual league premiership player and four-time league fairest and best winner with the Tigers, who he has played for since colts. In 2019 Marwick moved to Perth where he has been playing for Melville in the Perth Football League. He last played in the GSFL in 2018 for the Tigers, who lost the grand final on their home turf to North Albany. However on Wednesday Marwick’s clearance was lodged by Denmark-Walpole and pending its approval he will play for the Magpies in their season opener against Albany. Railways had been chasing Marwick, who may be returning to Albany later in the year, to re-join his junior club for the 2021 GSFL season. However his strong bond with brother Coen is a big part of his decision to land at the Magpies under first-year coach Alan Smallwood. The Magpies reached the grand final last year, falling 44 points short against a Royals side that went through the 2020 season undefeated. Denmark-Walpole Football Club president Tyrone Kennedy confirmed Marwick will play for them on Saturday in round one. “We believe (he will play) for a portion of the season,” Kennedy said. “This weekend and then a few games during the year. “I think he’s still living in Perth. “All the dealings have been through his brother Coen who came and played with us last year. “It has been Coen and Gaerthy (Ryan Gaerth) that have been speaking to him. “I think the boys wanted to play together. “He is a big name player for us for sure and someone that will spark a bit of interest among our local guys.” After winning a league best and fairest with the Sharks, Coen Marwick moved to the Magpies last season. The Marwick brothers have previously played together at the Tigers.