GSFL 2024: Advertiser sports editor Cameron Newbold reveals his top 20 players ahead of the new season

Albany Advertiser sports editor Cameron Newbold has revealed his top 20 GSFL stars ahead of the 2024 season. Check out who made the cut and who missed out here. 1 - BROCK HIGGINS (ROYALS) The biggest recruit of 2024 and takes the mantle as the best player in the competition. Higgins is a man mountain, will dominate the ruck and be extremely hard to counter up forward for new club Royals. In a competition where big men are already at a premium, Higgins will give opponents a scary headache. Easily could still be playing as the top ruckman in the WAFL competition. 2 - BRETT PEAKE (ALBANY) Despite turning 41 this year, the former Fremantle and St Kilda player packs a real punch. He won the competition’s leading goalkicking award for the second time last year and continues to be dynamite in the front half. Booted six goals to knock Royals out of the preliminary final and then bobbed up with two goals in Albany’s historic first grand final win. Remains the best forward in the competition. 3 - BAILEY BENNETT (RAILWAYS) Will shoulder much of the midfield load for Railways but has more than 100 games of WAFL experience. Has shown in short periods playing back home, what he is capable of and will be a leading Kleemann Medal contender in 2024. Super fit, clean on the ground and has pace to burn making him a difficult match-up. 4 - ZACH JACKSON (MT BARKER) Already a Kleemann Medal winner and is returning to be a big part of Mt Barker’s new campaign. Incredible ball winner but it’s his ability to go forward and kick big bags of goals that sets him apart from most. His influence on games in the past two years have been immense. 5 - ROBBIE LEE (ALBANY) The reigning Kleemann medallist had an outstanding 2023 and hard to see any different in the new season. Runs so well between the arcs, finds lots of the ball and his penetrating kick is a huge asset for Albany. If he can repeat his efforts from last year, the Sharks will go a long way to winning back-to-back flags. 6 - TYLER STONE (DENMARK-WALPOLE) The marvel at McLean Park is worth the price of admission. For some years he has been Denmark-Walpole’s best player and if they’d won more games, he might have a couple of Kleemann Medals to his name. One of the best contested players in the competition and kicks lots of goals. 7 - JAYDEN SCOTT (RAILWAYS) Took his game to another level last season and finished equal second in the Kleemann Medal with 13 votes while taking out the Albany Advertiser Footballer of the Year honour. Tough, inside midfielder that is a clearance king and extremely hard to tackle. 8 - BAILEY TAYLOR (ALBANY) Another big-name recruit entering the GSFL for the first time but comes with an impressive record. The polished defender has played State country football in the past two years after dominant displays at the country championships and in the Goldfields Football League. Expect him to hit the ground running. 9 - DANIEL PATCHING (MT BARKER) Rose up the rankings after a stellar 2023 campaign with Mt Barker, where he was the man most teams had to stop. Speed to burn and can find plenty of the ball, he gives the Bulls much-needed drive from stoppages. Won their best and fairest award and finished with 10 votes in the Kleemann Medal. 10 - JYRIN WOODS (NORTH ALBANY) Another strong clearance player that possess some real x-factor when going forward. Kicks classy goals and was North Albany’s highest vote getter in the Kleemann Medal. Looks ready to go to another level in 2024, fitter and stronger. 11 - BODHI STUBBER (RAILWAYS) Best intercept defender in the competition, his ability to read the play and impact when Railways need it most is outstanding. Question marks on if taking on the player-coach role will impact his on-field output but hard to argue how influential he is on the back of a career-best 13 votes in the Kleemann Medal last year. 12 - ISSAC BAUM (ALBANY) Vastly experienced ball winner that really stands up in big games. Terrific grand final performance as Albany broke their flag drought and produced several other stellar matches during the year. Plays mainly forward but can drift into the midfield when the team needs a lift. 13 - STEPHEN BEAL (ROYALS) Was the premier ruckman in the competition last year, helping Royals to a preliminary final. Likes a contest and can drift forward and take a mark as well. There is some talk around about switching clubs this year but if he stays in the Lions’ den will form a formidable combination with Brock Higgins. 14 - KANE PINNEY (ALBANY) The best rebounding defender in the competition in 2023, he was the key player that Albany used so often. Brilliant performance on grand final day to earn best on ground honours. Zones off, takes marks and makes good choices going forward. 15 - BRODIE DUFFIELD (MT BARKER) The bustling forward makes a welcomed return to Mt Barker, after a couple of previous stints with the club. Powerful, terrific overhead and a lovely set shot make him one of the best key forwards in the competition. If he fires, the Bulls can challenge the best sides. 16 - BRAYDEN PARKER (ROYALS) The Royals’ captain has been at the top of his game for a couple of years now. His impact is so good across half-back that teams often try for a shutdown role to negate his precise kicking. May spend more time on the ball this year. 17 - JAYSON FORD (ROYALS) An electric small forward that managed only seven games last year but kicked 20 goals including bags of six and five. Not many that can keep up with him on the ground and has pure match-winning prowess. 18 - BRYCE BLASZKOW (ALBANY) Fairest and best winner in a premiership year for Albany tells the story. Rose into the top bracket of midfielders in the competition, won more contested ball and had greater scoreboard impact. 19 - HAMISH MCMORRAN (ROYALS) Is returning from an ACL injury but still firmly sits as the best swingman in the competition. Can play key forward or key back and is super athletic. Will be a huge addition to Royals’ spine after a year on the sidelines. 20 - BEAU EWEN (RAILWAYS) Takes the final spot after a dominant in the last couple of years for Railways. Was best on ground in Tigers’ 2022 premiership win and then polled 11 votes in the Kleemann Medal last year as a contested beast. It’s not always pretty but highly effective at stoppages.