Upper Great Southern name strong squad as they compete in division one of Nutrien Ag Country Football Champs

Upper Great Southern Football League have assembled a formidable squad as they prepare to defend their division one title at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships in Perth this week. The championships return in full this year after being cancelled in 2020 and only the women’s and colts divisions being played last year. Uppers enter as defending champions, after their 21-point grand final win over Goldfields at Revo Fitness Stadium in Claremont — the 13th time they have won the prestigious crown. Gerard Medlen has taken over as coach from former Fremantle star Paul Duffield and has a strong squad at his disposal. Former West Coast Eagle and now Boddington star Jarrad Cameron headlines the Uppers team. Subiaco premiership player Justin Joyce, who is dominating for Kukerin-Dumbleyung, is also a big addition to the Uppers side and they will also have star Wickepin trio Callum Garcia, Jack O’Sullivan and Kye Barker. O’Sullivan is a polished performer that has joined the UGSFL from Swan Districts, where Garcia has also played while Barker has joined the Warriors after a stint with South Fremantle. Key playmakers Simon Panizza, Matthew White, James Laurino and Jordan Heil will also play big roles for Uppers in their bid to reach another division one grand final. Medlen said the mix of youth with experienced players that have representative football experience will hold his side in good stead. “It is a well-balanced squad,” Medlen said. “The leagues we go up against are great so it’s a really good challenge for the players and for me as first year coach. “This is the pinnacle of country footy, we have a fairly good mix of young and old. There is roughly seven players from the winning team in 2019 so that will help.” Uppers will be without ruckman Brayden Fairhead and key forward Harry Ellis through injury. They begin their campaign against the South West at 10.45am on Friday at Fremantle Community Bank Oval before facing Goldfields at 1pm. On Saturday, division 1 games will move to Mineral Resources Park, where Uppers will do battle with Avon at 8.45am and then Peel at 11.45am. The grand final between the top two sides will be played at the WACA at 1pm on Sunday. UGSFL Team Mitchell Salmeri (Boddington), Justin Joyce (Kukerin-Dumbleyung), Marshall Browne (Kukerin-Dumbleyung), Callum Garcia (Wickepin), Michael Talan (Boddington), Simon Panizza (Williams), Jack O’Sullivan (Wickepin), Riley Cunningham (Williams), Matthew White (Boddington), Lewis Gillespie (Boddington), Ryan Melvin (Wickepin), Jordan Heil (Narrogin), James Laurino (Katanning), Byron Blevin (Kukerin-Dumbleyung), Lloyd Padwick (Brookton-Pingelly), Jordan Hughes (Brookton-Pingelly), Addison Dew (Williams), Jarrod Cameron (Boddington), Kye Barker (Wickepin), Hamish Jannings (Wagin), Atem Deng (Wickepin), Jacob Sounness (Brookton-Pingelly), Sam Fortini (Wickepin), Kurtis Maclennan (Wagin), Blair Forrest (Narrogin), Deklan Georgy (Katanning), Bradley Timms (Narrogin), Alek Oliver (Boddington), Jaxon Ramsay (Wickepin), Caleb Keley (Katanning).