Sheridan Kowald keen to test out strong Great Southern team at football country championships in Bunbury

Incoming Great Southern women’s coach Sheridan Kowald believes her side’s broad spread of talent will make a statement in their return to the top level at the football country championships this week. Representing the best female footballers from the Great Southern Football League Women’s competition, the team will be back in division one after claiming last year’s division two title. They are ready to contest the State’s strongest regional sides on Thursday in Bunbury. Kowald, who has taken over from Collin Pass as coach, said she was confident in her squad’s ability to compete at the highest level. “I’m definitely confident — and I think the girls need to be confident as well,” she said. “It’s going to be tough, it’s going to be competitive, and as long as the girls can bring everything together that we’ve been learning over the last three months, I think they’re definitely going to have a chance.” As the only team entering the championships in their off-season, the 25-player squad has been training since July, splitting sessions between Mt Barker and Albany. “Even though we haven’t had the gameplay, we’ve been doing a lot of game simulation at training,” Kowald said. “We’ve had a good three months of work so I don’t think there’s any excuses.” Kathryn Slattery, who serves as co-captain alongside Sophie Coates, said she was thrilled to see high levels of interest in representative football. “I think we’ve had a relatively good lead-up and good commitment to training throughout the build-up period and I thought quite good numbers and a bit of gameplay, which makes a big difference,” she said. “There’s definitely a few people that have changed over from previous years, but there’s some great players coming in which shows the league here is just growing and getting better all the time.” Slattery is among players tipped to play key roles, alongside her fellow State country representative Sophie Richards, GSFLW 2025 joint fairest and best winner Emily Wray, forward Laura Carter, and 2024 co-vice-captain Kirstie Cooper. But it’s the young stars that have shone for Kowald. “I’m really excited to see what Chelsea Geddes brings (because) she’s been smashing it at training,” Kowald said. “Maggie Smit has absolutely blown me away as well, so I think seeing her step up in a real game situation is going to be really exciting. “It’s been really nice to come in and develop the girls slightly, but just kind of, shine them off a little bit.” A talent-stacked South West side will be the one to beat, said Kowald, but she assures that her girls won’t be overwhelmed by the prospect. “We’re competing against ex-AFLW girls, ex-WAFLW girls, girls who still play WAFLW,” she said. “They’re going to be tough, but as long as we stick to our structures and play our best brand of footy, which I know the girls can, then they’re definitely a chance. “I don’t think South West are unbeatable.” Kowald praised the balance across the squad, which features at least one player from every GSFL club. “They were already smart footballers — it’s just been about putting the puzzle pieces together,” she said. “If they believe they can do it, then I think there’ll be some pretty football out there.” Great Southern will open their campaign on Hands Oval against Great Northern at 3pm on Thursday, before facing Peel at 4.30pm. They will continue on Friday with the final qualifying game against reigning champions South West at 11.30am. The division one grand final between the top two ranked teams will be contested at 6pm on Friday night. Great Southern squad 1: Zoe Kestel (Mt Barker) 2: Saige Askevold (Mt Barker) 3: Sophie Richards (Mt Barker) 4: Laura Carter (North Albany) 5: Kiahn Perry (Railways) 6: Zoe Keley (Mt Barker) 7: Kirsty Smith (Railways) 8: Kat Slattery (Railways) 9: Maggie Smit (Railways) 10: Delacia Pride (Mt Barker) 11: Lily Hannaford (North Albany) 12: Rachel Boothman (Railways) 13: Sian Lucas (Albany) 14: Gill Chan (Albany) 16: Sophie Coates (Denmark-Walpole) 17: Ava Bowbanks (Denmark-Walpole) 18: Sarah Eisenberg (Mt Barker) 19: Ellie McTavish (Albany) 20: Joss Pass (Royals) 21: Emily Wray (Albany) 22: Meg Slattery (Railways) 23: Evie Waddington (Mt Barker) 25: Chelsea Geddes (Railways) 28: Alyce Burton (Denmark-Walpole) 29: Kirstie Cooper (North Albany)