GSFL 2023: Young guns Toby Hall and Bryce Blaszkow chase first flag success in grand final showdown

Railways’ Toby Hall and Albany’s Bryce Blaszkow will be chasing their first Great Southern Football League premiership when they lock horns in the grand final at Sounness Park on Saturday. Hall and Blaszkow will put everything on the line in what promises to be an absorbing contest in the GSFL decider, both having returned to their local clubs this season after playing football elsewhere in 2022. The Tigers and the Sharks will meet in the grand final for the second time in as many years, with the Tigers finishing 29-point winners in 2022 to seal back-to-back flags. Blaszkow made his league debut in 2015 for the Sharks, then moved to Mt Barker in 2020 before returning to his junior club. He now has a second chance at flag success. After three seasons for the Bulls, he is a key part of the Sharks’ midfield and played every game in the lead-up to the decider. The 23-year-old ball magnet said he believed a win on Saturday would carry extra significance for him after a whirlwind journey to this point. “There’s a big buzz around the club at the moment. “Three teams are through to the grand final. Reserves and league have never won a premiership so there’s a fair bit of excitement.” The Sharks defeated the Tigers twice this season — in round four and round 14 — while the Tigers claimed victory in round nine and their rousing 30-point qualifying final win. Blaszkow said both teams would have plenty of belief they could get the job done. “There is a bit of rivalry growing,” he said. “I think this year is more evenly matched than last time. “We know how to beat them and they know how to beat us. “They’ve got a lot of experienced players and Kleemann medallists, and they’re strong across the board. “Some of the pressure is on them. “They’re going for the three-peat and I think we’re the underdogs so there’s nothing to lose for us.” Hall plied his trade for Claremont in the WAFL colts competition in 2022, playing 10 games across a campaign in which they finished sixth before missing finals. The 19-year-old, who has played in both attack and defence, was part of the Tigers side that were defeated by Royals in the reserves grand final in 2021. “It’s definitely been a change from footy in Perth,” Hall said. “It’s very physical, obviously, playing fully grown men. “It’s pretty exciting for me personally, especially because my side up in Perth didn’t have much success last year. “Winning three flags in a row would be great for the club but it isn’t really spoken about. “Saturday is just another game that we have to go out there and win.” Hall was given the big job of playing on Brett Peake in the qualifying final, holding the former St Kilda and Fremantle player goalless in a GSFL match for the first time in history. Hall said he would relish the opportunity of shutting down Peake again. “It’s a challenge playing on him, he’s a very clever footballer and you can definitely tell he’s played at the highest level,” he said. “There’s a couple in our midfield who are really just contested Bulls inside — Chin (Jayden Scott) and Bowser (Beau Ewen), and then up forward you’ve got Joel Want who definitely can get on the end of a few. “Hopefully our contested ball in the middle can really help get us on top. The Sharks have great ball use, the likes of Robbie Lee, Bryce and their big forward line. “It should be a great game.”