GSFLW 2024: Denmark-Walpole to relish triple-header at home as new women’s season kicks off with a bang

Denmark-Walpole co-captain Sophie Coates believes the opening triple-header at McLean Park on Saturday to start the 2024 Great Southern Football League Women’s season is a welcome return to football for Denmark. The first three games of the season will all be played at McLean Park as part of a triple-header in round one with the first game bouncing down at 2pm. Railways will play Mt Barker in the opener, followed by Royals and Albany at 3.30pm before the Magpies take on North Albany at 5pm in the final match. “The town’s always really supported the women’s footy and they’ve always got around our home games,” Coates said. “We’ve got a DJ organised for the day, so he’ll be bringing the atmosphere and from the people that we’ve talked to everyone’s pretty excited for the first triple-header to be at McLean. “Everyone’s pumped and we had good numbers at training and the vibe was high, everyone was getting into training and putting in their best effort. “I think we will give North Albany a really good game, and we always play to the end of the buzzer and that will be no different. “Everyone is just stoked to be playing footy really.” Coates will once again relish the opportunity to captain the Magpies for the season ahead. “I just love leading by example for the girls and I just like getting the best out of all the girls that play in our team,” she said. The Magpies have played finals football the past two seasons, including an agonising grand final loss in 2022, but Coates insists her squad can challenge for the premiership again. “I think we’ve got a really strong side and few young up and comers,” she said. “We would all love a flag and to bring a flag back to Denmark so it would be awesome to get to that stage this year.” The opening of the GSFLW season will double as the multicultural round.