GSFL 2024: Energised Denmark-Walpole aiming for more wins in new campaign after strong off-season

A determined Denmark-Walpole is eyeing a much-improved season built on communal buy-in and competitiveness from their playing squad after a “tiring” past couple of seasons, according to coach Brad Nisbett. It is no secret the Magpies have struggled recently, having won just three games in their past two Great Southern Football League campaigns, but with strong recruitment during the off-season and a positive pre-season, they are hoping things will start to turn. Nisbett said the group felt different this year, with more numbers on the track during pre-season backed by off-field support from the club, led by newly elected president Sam Keenan. “The vibe has been really good; it’s been positive and we’ve had good numbers, probably the most I’ve seen over two years,” Nisbett said. “There’s a lot more buy-in from blokes who have taken a bit more ownership to try and get the word out that actually it’s good for you to come down to the club, whether it be for mental health, physical reasons or fun. “We’ve been trying to get a lot up in town really and it seems to be working.” The Magpies will be without young gun Tait Hartfield, who is at Claremont, and defender Barry Roberts, who has moved to North Albany. However, they will gain former player Ben Olden and have also recruited the talented Banjo Watkins from Augusta-Margaret River, who looks set to make an immediate impact in their league side. The Magpies will are also hopeful West Coast Eagles WAFL player Revis Alone alongside fellow Eagles teammate and former Magpie Reagan Hutchinson will play for the club this year. Alone and Hutchinson will suit up in the black and white if they are not selected to play for the Eagles in the WAFL each week. 2023 Gillies Medal runner-up Marlon Mastalerz is poised for a breakout year in the seniors and one to keep an eye on. The Magpies will again have the services of star midfielder Tyler Stone. While the Magpies have created a framework to improve their results this season, Nisbett said they must remain competitive for longer if they are to turn things around. “I haven’t really given us a pass or fail mark yet but we want to win more than what we have won over the past two years combined,” he said. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on the boys early but if we could win a minimum of four games this year, that would be an ideal situation. “We ideally want to win as many as we can but we need more than the past two years to be ideal. “You don’t want to be in these positions for too long and we’ve been competitive in other years, which is where we want to get the club back to because it’s tiring getting beaten heavily every week. “Hopefully, if we’re competitive enough we might be able to snag some wins early on.” The Magpies start their campaign with a home clash against reigning premiers Albany. 2023 REWIND Finish: Last Best and fairest: Tyler Stone Highest Kleemann votes: Tyler Stone (4) Biggest win: 63 points v North Albany Worst loss: 182 points v Albany Highest goal scorer: Bradley Cochrane (11)