Storm squad has Gilbert excited about prospects

The Great Southern Football League has released its colts squad for the Great Southern Colts Carnival to be held in Kulin next month, with a list of 36 talented players named by coach Phil Gilbert.

The GSFL colts will be managed by and play under the Great Southern Storm banner as they first tackle the annual Great Southern Colts Carnival and then the Landmark Country Football Championships.

Included in the squad are dominant Albany ruckman Stewart Davies, North Albany stars Corey Hitchcock and Jake Becroft, and Royals talents Ben Watson, Cent Amores, Tom Baldwin and Hamish McMorran.

Originally 35 players were named, but Sharks’ Zainel Bin Busu was added to the squad after an impressive league debut last weekend.

In total, 27 of the 36 members of the squad have already played league football in the GSFL, which has Gilbert excited about their carnival prospects.

“That has been the case for the last couple of years; guys playing regular senior footy,” he said.

“It’s a sign of how healthy the competition is and they are not just making up numbers, but a lot of these kids are dominant in their various league sides.

“We have blooded a lot of kids early in these carnivals, so the likes of Hamish McMorran, Ben Watson, Jake Becroft and Tom Baldwin all know what to expect.

“Hopefully, everyone is available with injury, but the squad as a whole is quite exciting.”

The Kangas have the most players in the squad, with 10 representatives, while the Lions also make up a big portion of the side, with nine teenagers named.

The squad will train every Monday from 6pm-7pm at Tigerland, starting next Monday, May 29.

GSFL colts preliminary squad

Stewart Davies, Fraser Eaton, Zamahl Bin Busu, Marcus Mellon, Brandon Woods (Albany), Hayden Parker, Ethan Dennis, Tom Candy (Denmark-Walpole), Adam Brady, Joel Gray, Aidin Williss (Mt Barker), Nathan Shanhun, Braden Retallack, Jack Steel, Corey Hitchcock, Kohen Lemin, Jack Becroft, Alex Pearce, Taj Williams, Ted Batchelor, Lachy O’Shea (North Albany), Jeff Fitzpatrick, Tom Wolfe, Hayden Davies, Jordan Clark, Jack Steel (Railways), Jaike Dale, Jaxon Nottle, Joel Flick, Regan Askevold, Ben Watson, Cent Amores, Corey Linthorne, Tom Baldwin, Hamish McMorran (Royals)