GSFL 2024: David Stone, Brandon Ugle among key inclusions for Mt Barker in vital top four clash with Royals

Mt Barker will get some much-needed personnel back for their crunch round 11 Great Southern Football League clash with Royals on Saturday. The Bulls’ depth has been tested in the past month with injuries and unavailability hurting their push for a top-two spot. A broken collarbone to veteran Sam Lehmann highlighted their woes but as the GSFL action returns after a general bye, coach Brad Hook remained optimistic about the final five regular rounds. The Bulls are expected to welcome back captain David Stone, midfielder Brandon Ugle and wingman Keegan Taylor for the NAIDOC Round fixture. Seb Ballard, who has transferred back to his home club after being with Claremont earlier this year, will also return for the Bulls this week to play his second game back in the GSFL. Hook also predicted tall utility Kye Griffiths to be included while Clayton Wood would also be in the mix. Lehmann is likely to still be on the sidelines for the next fortnight and Lee Pavlovich is away but Hook said this week would present selection dilemmas. “We will have selection headaches this week for sure,” he said. “We’ve had so many guys out, and said after the Sharks game, that was a blip and now we can reset and hopefully come home with our sails up. “Getting some of these guys back will be crucial but we are still fighting with Railways for third so we need to get a win against one of these top two. “We beat Royals last time so they’re going to be angry about it and come out with their full team.” One other concern for the Bulls is a knee injury to star ball winner Zach Jackson. Jackson injured his knee on day one of the country football championships playing for the GSFL and was on the sidelines for the rest of their successful campaign. “Zach has a minor issue with his knee,” Hook said. “He’s going to see the physio (this week) but it’s nothing major which is a relief. “He hyperextended it but knowing Zach if he’s able to play, he will play.” Jackson could be used more as a forward, a role that has been very fruitful for the Bulls, while he manages this latest niggle. The 2022 Kleemann medallist has kicked 30 goals in nine games this season, including four and three majors in his two outings against the Lions in 2024. The Lions and Bulls clash at Retravision Stadium on Saturday will highlight the NAIDOC Round celebrations, with a flag raising ceremony in the morning along followed by a Welcome to Country and tribal dance prior to the league game that starts at 2.30pm. In the other matches North Albany will host Railways at Collingwood Park and ladder leaders Albany travel to McLean Park to take on Denmark-Walpole, both league fixtures starting at 2.30pm.