GSFL 2025: Mt Barker coach determined to stave off reigning premiers Albany to lock in grand final berth

Despite a couple of sore-bodied stars, Mt Barker coach Gary Pope is confident his side’s winning streak against Albany will continue on Saturday to secure a grand final berth in 2025. Pope said though he was still waiting on the final fitness tests to see whether Darcy Clarke, Seb Ballard and Darcy Wallinger will get up for the Great Southern Football League’s preliminary final showdown, he still believed his squad could get the job done. “We’ve had a run of bad injuries and it seems everyone else is fit except us,” he said. “Saying that, we’re very determined and played quite solidly as a unit all year so, we will continue to do that and take every change as it comes. “We’ve got quite a big squad and got some youthful exuberance, so we’ll play as if we’ve got nothing to lose. “Depending how we’re set up for injuries, whichever guys end up out there will play with that same attitude.” The Bulls have come out on top in every clash with the Sharks this season, including a thrilling one-point win in round 14. Pope said the three wins have put them in good stead but given the predicted wet conditions, is not going to take any chances against the fit reigning premiers. “We’ve got guys that we match up on their big guns and there’s usually quite a good tussle,” he said. “They’ve all been close games, and though we’re feeling pretty confident, we’re not there to make friends, and are there for one reason, which is that last spot in the final. “When you’ve got nothing to lose and your back’s against the wall, you want to go down fighting.” Sharks coach Roy Addis said he is not going to consider the Bulls’ injury-list in his game strategy. “I treat every game the same, and go in expecting that they’ll have their fittest and best side available,” he said. “I don’t look at injuries, I focus on a 100 per cent fit side ready to play.” Addis said his own injured half-forward Taj Williams, will be subject to a fitness test while defender Gus Bockman is out for the season with a severe ankle injury and apart from “one or two” changes to the backline, his side’s structure will not change much from last week’s winning formation. “I’m confident in the way that we’re structured and we’re certainly happy with the 22 that will be selected and represent the Albany Football Club,” he said. He said the Bulls were the “overwhelming favourites” to win the clash but was quietly confident of his side’s chances to put on scoreboard pressure in the wet. “My expectation is a wonderful game of footy with a close result, and a let’s hope the winner goes through to grand final with minimal injury.” In the minor grades Denmark-Walpole and Royals will put their seasons on the line in the reserves preliminary final, after North Albany and Albany face-off for a slot in the colts grand final, and Royals and Albany clash in the 16s.