GSFL season preview 2022: Denmark-Walpole get new coach but deal with loss of plenty of quality players

Denmark-Walpole will have to fill the void left by a host of outgoing stars and they will have a new coach as they embark on the new Great Southern Football League season. The Magpies made the decision last week to part ways with coach Alan Smallwood after he took them to an elimination final in 2021 in his first year at the helm of the club. Star players Shayne Zanetti, Jayden Woods, Ash Smith, Ash McGrath, Alec Haskins and Coen Marwick are among a big list of key omissions ahead of the 2022 campaign. Former WAFL footballer Brad Nisbett and ex-Swan Districts player Aaron Wheeler are two inclusions for the Magpies who will look to promote a strong crop of juniors. Tough midfielder Jaden Guidi will play for the entire season after he spent a lengthy stint on the sidelines last year with injury. Magpies president Tyrone Kennedy believes this year will be a great chance for his club to promote youth. “The losses are a mixture of things, travelling guys not coming back and COVID having an impact,” Kennedy said. “Other guys have moved away or are having time off footy. “Alec went back to North Albany with our blessing, we really appreciate what he did on and off the field for our club and he was a wonderful servant and an amazing human. “I think we look at this season with our strong junior numbers and focus on the kids a bit. “A development year. “There are no expectations on the year, hopefully we can field four teams. I still think we can be competitive down the bottom end of the ladder and maybe pinch fourth but we have to be realistic. “We’ve just got to get through it, make it social and enjoyable and see how we go.” The Magpies are hopeful of securing Nisbett, who is living in Denmark, as a player-coach to replace Smallwood. Kennedy said that senior players Ryan Gaerth and Guidi would also be part of the league coaching structure this season. The Magpies face Albany in a rematch of last year’s epic elimination final in round one and have their first home fixture in round two. DENMARK-WALPOLE 2021 finish: Fourth Captain: TBC Coach: TBC Gains: Brad Nisbett, Aaron Wheeler Losses: Shayne Zanetti, Jayden Woods, Ash Smith, Brodie Reeve, Alec Haskins (North Albany), Coen Marwick, Zane Marwick, David Scriven (retired), Ash McGrath One to watch: Noah Madaffari – one of the most promising young kids in the region, will get greater midfielder opportunities. Cam’s Call: The Magpies are clearly on the slide with their massive losses. A year to rebuild and blood some young kids. Hard to see them playing finals.