Key players set to return for both Denmark-Walpole and North Albany ahead of round eight GSFL clash

Denmark-Walpole coach Alan Smallwood said his side would not take last-placed North Albany lightly in round eight of the Great Southern Football League on Saturday. The Magpies are set to welcome back key senior personnel after they escaped with a seven-point win over Mt Barker last week. Last year’s grand finalists have welcomed back star duo Ash McGrath and Shayne Zanetti in recent weeks and will look to chalk up their fifth win of the season against a side with only four points to their name. Star midfielder Jaden Guidi broke his wrist recently and will miss a number of weeks but the Magpies could regain Ryan Gaerth and Angus Allen while tough defender Brodie Reeve is an outside chance to return from a hamstring injury. “Every game is a big game and you can’t take anyone lightly,” Smallwood said. “We didn’t take Barker lightly and North are a good young side, so we won’t take them lightly either. “I think it is a relatively even competition besides the top couple but anything can happen on the day. “We always have confidence and belief that we are building (but) we are a long way off playing our best football.” Zanetti kicked two goals in his return and will only get better according to Smallwood. “(Shayne) is very rusty and hasn’t got much match fitness after playing his first game in 10 months,” Smallwood said. “We will build his playing minutes and requirements for the team in the next few weeks.” The Kangas’ hopes of winning their second game of the season will be boosted by the return of ruckman Aden Castlehow while Nick Barrow and Todd Knuiman are also strong chances of returning to the senior team. Kangas coach Leigh Hislop hopes his side can bounce back at home. “Denmark have been our bogey side since I have been coaching over the past two years,” he said. “They tend to beat us pretty convincingly so we will need a big turnaround this Saturday. “We will try a few different things and maybe try tag a few of their key players. “Finals is a dirty word for me so we just take it one week at a time. “We are a dry-weather team and it looks like being dry so hopefully we can use that against Denmark’s bigger bodies.” Railways will travel to Sounness Park to tackle Mt Barker on Saturday while the other round eight fixture between Centennial co-tenants Royals and Albany has been moved from Sunday to Saturday to accommodate school country week.