Special occasion for young guns in first Anzac Day fixture for traditional rivals North Albany and Railways

The traditional Anzac Day clash between Railways and North Albany will return on Sunday to headline the opening round of the 2021 Great Southern Football League. Teenagers Xavier Brenton-Reed and Lachy Hansen will play in their first Anzac Day clash after a delayed start to last season due to COVID-19 meant no games were played last April. Both players are eager to soak up the experience of playing on such a special occasion, with a huge crowd likely to pack Tigerland on Sunday. It will be the sixth time the two sides have met in the Anzac Day match, with the Tigers winning on three of those occasions and the Kangas successful twice. Brenton-Reed will lead the ruck for the Tigers as a 17-year-old and said he was humbled by the opportunity. “I think it’s a real big privilege to be able to play in such a big game on such a big day,” he said. “A lot of people went away and risked their lives for our country so it’s really important and I think it will be a really good game. “It’s definitely a big challenge leading the ruck at my age but I have a lot of good guys there to give a lot of good support. “The midfielders are always really good telling me what they want so I just have to do my best.” Hansen, who is in the Kangas leadership group as an 18-year-old, said he was proud to play football on Anzac Day. “It’s an honour really to be able to play football on this day,” he said. “It’s something that is sacred to a lot of people and means a lot to a lot of families so I’m really looking forward to the occasion against another good team in Railways. “It’s a good opportunity to be in the leadership group, thanks to Hissy (coach Leigh Hislop) for putting me forward, it will be a good learning experience for me and I will see how I go with it.” Both sides are set to feature vastly different sides compared with last year, with a handful of players leaving each club. However the Tigers are set to be bolstered by the return of midfielder Logan Stubber and forward Zak Hortin along with the inclusion of defender Matt France. The Kangas will look to their youth to fill the void left by the likes of Talon Delacey, Addison Dew and twin brothers Braden and Todd Retallack. Bouncedown is at 2.30pm at Tigerland and an Anzac Day Medal will be awarded to the player who best shows the Anzac spirit in the match. Round one of the GSFL will commence on Saturday with Albany hosting Denmark-Walpole at Centennial Stadium and Royals travelling to Sounness Park to start their title defence against Mt Barker.