GSFL 2024: Royals snare biggest signing with dominant WAFL ruck Brock Higgins committing to the Lions

Royals have secured the Great Southern Football League’s biggest signing after confirming WAFL premiership player and man mountain Brock Higgins will don the blue and white this season. Having played 165 games across a storied 12-year WAFL career for South Fremantle and East Perth, the two-time premiership player is an image of brute strength and sheer force. Standing at 196cm tall, the 34-year-old will certainly bring a level of physicality that will be tough for opposition clubs to counter. The signing of Higgins along with a host of other big inclusions will have the Lions firmly in premiership contention this year. Although Higgins will not play every game, Lions coach Darrell Panizza said he will provide unmatched insight into the game and help educate the club’s crop of young talent and the wider league. “He’ll (Higgins) will be somebody that will be able to help educate young players and hopefully have an influence on the young ruckmen at the club,“ Panizza said. “Any player that plays WAFL footy then comes to the GSFL is going to enhance the competition and hopefully help some of the younger players get an understanding of the game. “The better players we have in the competition the better the competition is going to be. “There’s numerous players that have come home from the WAFL which strengthens the game down here and that’s really good for the young kids. “A young ruckman to be playing against Brock will be invaluable experience.” The Lions’ midfield, featuring the likes of reigning best and fairest Corey Ward, veteran David Parker and rising star Joel Flick, is poised to thrive at the feet of Higgins. Perth Football League stars and former Curtin University teammates Brent Latch and Darcy Reader will join the experienced ruck at Retravision Stadium as the league braces for a host of recruits pulling on the boots in the GSFL this season. Reader is returning to his junior club for 2024 while the Lions are also set to regain talented pair Hamish McMorran (knee) and Zak Mola (Achilles) from long-term injuries in a significant boost to their premiership hopes. WA Country player Bailey Taylor joins Albany after a stint in the Goldfields Football League while Mt Barker welcomes back key forward Brodie Duffield who returns to Sounness Park. The Bulls have also retained star duo Zach Jackson and Daniel Patching. In other off-season news, Railways under new coach Bodhi Stubber will have the services of speedy midfielder Bailey Bennett who returns home after several years with Claremont in the WAFL. The Tigers will also regain Ryley Valli and Mohit Jaggi from Claremont. North Albany have landed talented junior Luke Mowaljarlai, defender Barry Roberts has made the switch from Denmark-Walpole and Brock Tiede will play for the club. The Magpies will be boosted by the inclusion of Banjo Watkins from Augusta-Margaret River while Revis Alone and former Magpie Reagan Hutchinson who are with West Coast Eagles’ WAFL team will play when not selected in Perth.