Sharks snare key duo from rival clubs

Albany have landed arguably their two biggest recruits since joining the league ranks in the Great Southern Football League, with star pair Coen Marwick and Taj Williams set to play for the Sharks in 2019.

Entering their eighth season at league level and on the back of their most competitive year in history, the Sharks have been buoyed by the recruitment of Marwick and Williams in the space of the past month.

Marwick, a renowned goal kicker, played for Katanning in the Upper Great Southern Football League last year but will not return to his junior club Railways.

He played only three league games for the Wanderers last season but dominated in the reserves, guiding them to a premiership with a best-on ground-performance in the grand final and winning the Life Member’s Medal as the best player in the regular season.

Marwick played in the Tigers’ losing 2015 league grand final and in 2017 was named in the GSFL team of the year after a superb year up forward.

Williams has left premiers North Albany and has been training with the Sharks after returning home from a brief pre-season stint trying out for the colts at WAFL club Claremont.

Despite missing out on the Kangas’ historic fifth straight grand final triumph last year, Williams kicked 32 goals in 13 games and earned selection in the GSFL team of the year.

Sharks coach Kim Mayfield said to have two top line players choose the club was evidence of its growth.

“They are genuine A-graders at any club,” Mayfield said.

“As more and more senior players from other clubs and areas come here, it shows others that this is not such a bad place to be, we do have good blokes here and we are growing. Both are goal kickers but I think Taj and Coen can play in the midfield and be damaging there.”

The news comes during a busy recruiting period for the Sharks, securing several new players ahead of the season, starting later this month.

Exciting tall prospect Jermaine Bropho has joined the club and Boxwood Hill premiership player Robbie Lee is returning.

Sharks will also have Regan Poett and Jacob Mills this season, while Ben Fleck and Liam Nyhan have switched clubs to play under Mayfield also.

The Sharks will be the beneficiaries of not only Williams returning home from Claremont but also midfielder Fraser Eaton, who has decided to come back to Albany rather than try his luck in the WAFL this year.

Mayfield confirmed the loss of defenders Tait McLean and Jonas Mitchell and speedy ball winner Zainel Bin Busu from last season.