GSFL season preview 2022: Sports editor Cameron Newbold casts his eye over what to expect in the new campaign

A new football season has arrived and it’s really tough to tell exactly what 2022 might bring in the Great Southern. COVID appears set to play a role, bigger than we all anticipated, in how the season is shaped and already clubs are scrambling to round one with players and coaches either affected by the virus or in isolation. It makes predicting games and outcomes all that much harder because a team’s line-up may change drastically from when originally selected by that club after their final session, to when they actually run out on a weekend. However, like the past couple of seasons has taught us, we must adapt and do the best we can to get a footy season away — it sure would be a lonely winter without one. The uncertainty brings about an exciting season ahead, we have no real idea what is going to happen. Other factors will come into the make-up of the top four and who is crowned the premier at the end, not just the talent on the oval and those on the sideline making the changes. Railways will enter the season as defending champions and will be hunted by the other five clubs in the competition who want to get their hands on the premiership cup. There will clearly be a changing of the guard in terms of who the best teams are in the competition. Denmark-Walpole are struggling and made a big decision on their coach just a week out from their season starting. The Magpies have been smashed by key personnel leaving and numbers at training have been thin. As a competition we can’t afford to lose a club like the Magpies, so I hope they can work hard to turn it around but also get the support needed to stay up and going. The Magpies will be the big sliders on the ladder and perhaps the Albany Sharks will rise even higher. A couple of really strong off-season recruits has the Sharks in really good shape to challenge the best sides in the competition. I can easily see the Sharks featuring in the final day of the season and in line to win a historic league premiership. Royals will again be hard to beat on any given day; their club’s depth over the past few seasons has showed that regardless of who has departed they should not be discounted in any premiership talk. North Albany are an intriguing prospect under new coach Brad Bootsma, who will have the group fit, disciplined and hungry to win. The Kangas might not have the best cattle but Bootsma is not a premiership coach for no reason. Mt Barker are looking to their young brigade like a lot of the clubs in the league and that will help firm up their future going forward. There are some exciting new players to the region and a whole season ahead to watch what the teams have to offer. Buckle up for a year like no other.