Bring on season 2026. You can smell the liniment in the air, the boots are polished, mouthguards washed, and the playing kit is laid out on the bed ready to go.
The Great Southern Football League men’s season kicks off this Saturday, and what better time to get into pure, grassroots country football than now?
With the corporate AFL world dealing with plenty of issues, country football is where purity and integrity prevail.
The GSFL is strongly led by its board of directors headed by chair Terry Eaton, who has done everything a footballer and sports administrator can do.
His respect is enormous and global.
Deputy chair Kathleen Mier is a successful businessperson and has the portfolio of the women’s and youth girls’ competition.
Their season is about to enter finals, and its popularity can be demonstrated with an attendance of 178 players and administrators at their upcoming awards night.
The six other directors Geoff Brady, Tony Lazar, Reg Watson, Trevor Craig, Darren Michael, and Claire Standish take care of governance, junior football, rules, officiating, competition, and collaboration to name but a few.
This season marks the fourth year of live streamed games, with thousands of views each week, and more than 6000 on grand final day last year, from as far afield as Croatia and Boston.
It is free, with access QR codes put on the GSFL social media page each week for direct links.
Umpiring is obviously crucial to all games. With arguably the best umpire in the country, Craig Tonkin, the GSFL umpires adviser, and experienced umpire coach Chris Norton, we are in good hands.
So best of luck to all teams, from last year’s premiers Railways to beaten grand finalists Albany, Mt Barker, Denmark-Walpole who made finals last year, and Royals and North Albany.
See you at the footy.
Ian Beeck is the Great Southern Football League operations manager
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