Great Northern announce star line-up that will represent the league in country week as they hunt for promotion

The Great Northern Football League has its sights set on division one as the side prepare for the Nutrien AG Solutions Country Week Football Championships this weekend.

This year marks the second season since Great Northern started sending a league side to the competition, returning to division two under coach Leith Teakle.

Both the league and colts side, coached by Jason Graham, will be in Perth this weekend as they prepare to take on some of the best country talent from across the State.

In their first year back since 2019, the league side managed to reach the grand final in 2023 but fell short against the Goldfields, going down 7.5 (47) to 9.8 (62).

This year they have their sights set on promotion, with Teakle’s squad travelling to Perth this week after the team selections were finalised on Monday.

“We made the grand final last year, so I think we certainly will be looking to make the grand final and go one better this year,” Teakle said.

“I think that’s the aim, be competitive but certainly try and get on better than last year.”

After leading the side last year, Kim Schofield will captain the squad once again, while Ringo McKenna is the vice-captain.

“Kimmy was captain last year, led from the front. I think he was our best player last year, been around for quite a while now,” Teakle said.

“Ringo is a younger guy who we’ll want to bring forward in that leadership position for future years, so I know the boys will get behind him.”

Following the successful return of Great Northern to country week, Teakle said the support had only grown this year.

“I couldn’t be happier with the amount of support that we’ve had from across the competition,” he said.

“It’s really nice to pick a squad that I think is going to be really competitive and put the GNFL back on the map where it should be.”

Every club will be represented in Perth, Chapman Valley and Northampton feature the most talent with seven players each in the league side.

The colts side are also chasing redemption after Great Northern lost the grand final by just one-point last year to South West.

The league squad’s campaign to move into division one begins on Friday when they face North Pilbara and Eastern Districts before they take on Ongerup and Central Midlands Coastal on Saturday.

Colts start on Thursday, with the side facing Avon/Mortlock and Kimberley, then on Friday they clash against South West and Peel.

Country Week Squads

League

Brigades: Fletcher Klasztorny, Izac Ronan, Jamie Ryder, Klay Sipila, Kris Ryder. Chapman Valley: Ewan Whitley, Ringo McKenna (VC), Jay O’Brien, Jayden Schofield, Jaye Colegate, Kim Schofield (C), Kobe Simpson. Mullewa: Jayden Wall, Shane Bonney, Tennessee Kickett. Northampton: Connor Westbrook, Dylan Ralph, Flynn Dillon, Harry Taylor, Jamie Williams, Michael Wright, Trent Simpson. Railways: Deon Drage. Rovers: Blake Tazewell, Chris Scott, Jamie Geier, Tom Denton. Towns: Drew Forrester, Jaylen Parsons.

Colts

Brigades: Lucas Ronan, Patrick Varney, Riaz Mohammad, Timothy George, Archie Bougourd, Rhama Evans, Thomas Gray, Austin Breen. Chapman Valley: Harrison Criddle, Mick Horstman (VC). Mullewa: Dwayne Ryder, Gregg Galby. Northampton: Brodie Atkinson, Max Cassin. Railways: Gus Spalding, Lachlan Crawford, Jaxon Graham, Jasper Cook, Ned Osborn, Lucas Clarkson, Draydon Wingo, Seth Farmer. Rovers: Jack Campbell (C). Towns: Jayden Davis, James Simmons.