GSFL 2024: Bolstered Royals and arch rivals Albany to resume co-tenant battle in rousing qualifying final

Royals have called in the big guns for a huge qualifying final clash with Albany as a spot in the Great Southern Football League grand final goes on the line on Saturday. Lions coach Darrell Panizza confirmed that man mountain and star ruckman Brock Higgins will suit up for the qualifier, alongside fellow Perth traveller Darcy Reader, as his side prepares a premiership tilt against the defending champions. The three encounters between the hostile co-tenants this season were all decided by 12 points or less and the Lions have been on the wrong side of two of them, but Panizza believes it will take all 22 players to square the ledger. “(Higgins) will bring what every other player will be expected to bring, and that’s bring their best game,” Panizza said. “Everybody’s the same. We’re a team and we all get we’ve all got to play our role and if he plays his role to the best of his ability, I’m sure we will benefit from it. “Everyone has a role, everyone’s a part of the team, and we’ve got to execute what we’ve been practising all year and execute our game plan . . . and then we will be difficult to beat.” Panizza said he was pleased with his side’s preparations, who enter off the back of two enormous victories, defeating North Albany by 97 points and Denmark-Walpole by 92. “We’ve been pretty consistent with our form through the season . . . it’s been of a high standard,” he said. “So we’re really happy with the way that we’re coming into the finals; the boys are up and about and they’re excited about being involved in finals. “We’ll be going into this game and hopefully we’ll be believing the fact that if we play our best footy, we will go into a grand final.”’ Forward James Watters and on-baller Michael McGalde (hamstring) will be racing the clock to be fit for Saturday’s game after sustaining injuries in the last fortnight while there is still uncertainty on tall Chandler Askevold-McDonald. The Lions will still be without young gun Teague Valli, who injured his shoulder in round 11. Sharks coach Jamie Ramm said there was pressure on his side after finishing minor premiers, but they had to stick to what they know if they are to find a direct path to the decider. “There’s always pressure . . . after having a good result last year, there is a bit of pressure on,” Ramm said. “(We don’t use last year as) inspiration but probably more parts of how we play. “They’re always hard to beat, it’s always a good game.” Midfield star Bryce Balszkow will be a welcomed inclusion after missing last weekend’s sensational comeback win over Mt Barker and versatile forward Isaac Baum will also be right to go after he was sidelined in the second half. The Sharks will also be buoyed by spearhead Matt Martin, who will return to the side after missing the past fortnight with work commitments. The league qualifying final will start at 2.30pm at Retravision Stadium, with the winner advancing directly to the grand final and the loser sent into a preliminary final next week.