GSFLW season preview 2023: Railways coach Kim Arundel relishing challenge of being hunted team in new campaign

Railways coach Kim Arundel says he is relishing the prospect of being the team to beat as they enter the Great Southern Football League Women’s competition as reigning premiers. The Tigers will be hoping for more of the same in 2023 after a near-perfect 2022 was capped with a famous grand final win over Denmark-Walpole at McLean Park. The Tigers won all but one of their 10 home-and-away games before defeating North Albany in the preliminary final followed by their crushing 28-point win over the Magpies in the decider. The reigning premiers will have to contend without the likes of leading league goal kicker Kanisha Bennell and Kathryn Slattery (injury) but will be boosted by some new inclusions. Slattery was a competition star in 2022 and finished runner-up in the GSFLW best and fairest count, one vote behind Taylah Orzel, while Bennell was the leading goalkicker with 24 majors. “Yeah we are (the hunted team) but the plan is to put ourselves in a really good spot to have another crack,” Arundel said. “We realise every week that sides are going to be up and about but we’ll come up with some new players and we all expect to do reasonably well. “We’ve lost a few good players but we’ve also gained a few so we’re all really looking forward to the start of the season on Friday night. “Tiarna (Delli-Benedetti) is captain and Laura (Cinanni) and Ksharna (Coyne) are going to be the vice-captains. “I think we’ve got a really good spread of senior players with some young ones coming through that will be better after playing one or two years. “Some of our senior players will be looking to work pretty hard again this year.” The fourth year coach said there were positive numbers throughout pre-season as they gear up for their opening clash on Friday. “The numbers have been pretty good, they were a bit quiet early but we had a scratch match the other night and we also had a good turnout at our jumper presentation,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to the season starting up again and hopefully we can get as many people down to the ground supporting on Friday night.” The Tigers will meet the Magpies in a grand final rematch at Retravision Stadium as part of a round one triple header and will play three of their first four matches at that same venue before their first home fixture at Tigerland is against the Royals in round five. RAILWAYS 2022 finish: Premiers Captain: Tiarna Delli-Benedetti Coach: Kim Arundel Key players: Laura Cinanni, Abby Duncan and Ksharna Coyne Calvin’s Call: The loss of Kathryn Slattery really hurts but the Tigers have the depth to content for another flag. Strong across all lines and their midfield is still very strong. The ones to beat.