GSFL 2024: Albany and Railways set to square off in grand final rematch to headline Belt-up Round

An undefeated Albany will have a chance to widen the gap to their rivals this weekend when they square off with Railways for the first time since last year’s decider, in the Belt-Up Round of the Great Southern Football League on Saturday. The Sharks are enjoying a brilliant start to their title defence, sitting pretty at the top of the ladder with a 3-0 record after holding off a fast-finishing Royals side last Saturday, while the Tigers are breathing down their necks with two wins. The reigning premiers won their opening two games against Denmark-Walpole and North Albany in emphatic style, before seeing off a late challenge from the Lions to make it three on the trot. They beat the Magpies and the Kangas by 112 points and 98 points respectively, followed by a two-goal win in a fiery stoush with their Retravision Stadium co-tenants. The Tigers will be buoyed by the inclusion of silky midfielder Bailey Bennett who missed Saturday’s hard-fought win over Mt Barker but are sweating on the fitness of fellow star on-baller Ryley Valli (ankle) as they tackle the Sharks at Retravision Stadium. The Tigers’ only loss so far this season came from a Hamish McMorran after-the-siren dagger in their heartbreaking round two clash with the Lions. Other than that, the Tigers have notched two impressive wins including a commanding 70-point victory over the Kangas to open their season. The Magpies are chasing their first win of the campaign when they host the Lions at McLean Park on Saturday. They will be hoping to reclaim their round two form, where they challenged the Bulls for four quarters and went down by a single point. Ruckman Stephen Beal looms as a potential inclusion for the visitors after making a successful return to the field in the Lions reserves, booting a goal and being named in their best. The final game of the round will be jostled by the Kangas, fresh off their first win of the campaign, and Bulls at Collingwood Park on Sunday at 2.30pm. Country Football WA has teamed up again with the Insurance Commission of Western Australia to promote their road safety message of encouraging motorists to wear a seat belt every time they get into a vehicle. A minute’s silence will be held before all country games across the State as a mark of respect for people killed or injured on regional roads.