GSFL 2024: Mt Barker ruck David Stone to celebrate 175th match and life membership in preliminary final clash

Mt Barker coach Brad Hook is bracing for a “match-defining” ruck battle with Royals as club stalwart David Stone plays his 175th match and earns life membership in their preliminary final stoush. The Bulls were polished and poised in their dominant 40-point Great Southern Football League elimination final victory over Railways last week to advance through to their second preliminary final in three seasons. The two sides boast arguably the best two ruck combos in the competition, with Bulls’ Stone and Mitch Jackson, set to lock horns with Lions duo Stephen Beal and Nathan Powell. Hook said Stone, who has been a loyal servant of the club, will play a pivotal role in the ruck battle. “I rate them as the four best ruckmen in the comp and they are all playing on the weekend,” he said. “So it is going to be probably a match-defining match-up. “If (Jackson and Stone) can win the ruck or if they can nullify each other, it will probably go a long way to winning. “It’s an absolutely massive effort by David (Stone). “For our current captain to get to 175 games is a great effort and we haven’t had too many players in our history that have got there.” Despite finishing fourth on the ladder, the Bulls have proven that they are a force to be reckoned with on their day, having beaten the Lions and minor premiers Albany during the season. “We are 100 per cent in on our game plan,” Hook said. “We believe in our style of football . . . and our confidence in our ability is good enough to beat anybody on our day. “We spoke a lot about mental toughness, playing in the moment and not rushing things and on the weekend that was really the way we played.” Star ball winner Daniel Patching is subject to a fitness test after a hamstring complaint during their brilliant win over the Tigers, but Hook said he is confident the midfielder will be fit to play. Rebounding defender Darcy Wallinger will be right to go despite hurting his neck in the final minutes of last Sunday’s match and the Bulls are expected to bring dashing winger Jye Williss back into the side for the clash with the Lions. The preliminary final will start at 2.30pm at Retravision Stadium with the winner advancing to the grand final against the Sharks.