Strong Storm squad set to tackle colts carnival

The Great Southern Storm have named a strong, versatile team for their tilt at the annual Great Southern Colts Carnival to be held in Kulin this weekend, with nearly every player travelling away having played league football in the Great Southern Football League.

A talented squad of 26 players will make the trip to the historic carnival and play under former AFL player Phil Gilbert as they look to end two years of close losses in the title.

However, their quest to go one better than last year has been hampered by the omission of key duo Ben Watson and Cent Amores, who both withdrew this week with shoulder injuries.

Royals utility Corey Linthorne will captain the side, while North Albany speedster Corey Hitchcock is his deputy.

The Storm will be bolstered by dominant ruck pair Hamish McMorran and Stewart Davies working in tandem, while the damaging Jake Becroft and young star Tom Baldwin are also key components of the squad.

Gilbert was delighted with the team assembled, saying their speed and pure size would test the side’s opposition. “It’s really unfortunate to lose Watson and Amores this week,” Gilbert said.

“But I’m really happy with what we’ve got. There is no real excuse — we should be right in the mix.

“We have a versatile squad and it is really pleasing to have two of the in-form ruckmen at league level in McMorran and Davies to hopefully give us first use out of the middle.

“Key position-wise we are blessed with high-quality talls, we have quality, high-pressure forwards and genuine speed across the ground.”

The Storm will face Wheatbelt in their opening game of the carnival at 9am on Saturday and must win to remain a chance to play in Sunday’s grand final.

Last year the Storm lost by 10 points to Lower South West Football League and a win in their opening clash will set up a virtual semifinal that afternoon with either Upper Great Southern Football League or Ongerup Football Association.

GSFL Colts

Corey Linthorne (Royals) — captain, Corey Hitchcock (North Albany) — vice-captain, Jake Becroft (North Albany), Tom Baldwin (Royals), Jack Steel (Railways), Tom Wolfe (Railways), Adam Brady (Mt Barker), Lachy O’Shea (North Albany), Brandon Woods (Albany), Kohen Lemin (North Albany), Jaike Dale (Albany), Jack Steel (North Albany), Hayden Parker (Denmark-Walpole), Regan Askevold (Royals), Braden Retallack (North Albany), Joel Gray (Mt Barker), Jaxon Nottle (Royals), Hayden Davies (Railways), Tom Candy (Denmark-Walpole), Zainel Bin Busu (Albany), Taj Williams (North Albany), Fraser Eaton (Albany), Ethan Dennis (Denmark-Walpole), Stewart Davies (Albany), Hamish McMorran (Royals), Marcus Mellon (Albany)