All-Star clash welcomes GNFL season 2023 as new event proves a hit

The GNFL launched season 2023 to eager fanfare as the pre-season all-stars country week clash proved to be a hit, with more than 600 fans coming through the gate. On Saturday afternoon the best players across the league, colts and women’s game got a chance to put up an early hand for country week selection on a picturesque day. Each club was chosen to nominate seven players, two forwards, three midfielders and two defenders to make up the sides, with teams wearing the country week GNFL strip or a nominated club jersey. The sides were coached by country week and league coaches, with all proceeds from the day going towards funding the teams’ trips to country week later this year. Geneva Johansen scored the first goal with Maddi Kelly adding a second as the country week strip dominated possession with the Rovers team struggling to get the ball forward of the centre square. Unfortunately, there is always a risk of injury in pre-season and Emilee Bevan had to be helped off the ground after her foot was trapped under a contest ending her day. Charli Bidwell was also forced from the ground after a shoulder knock aggravated a niggle she was carrying over from Rogers Cup duties and did not return after the first quarter. Just one goal was scored in the second quarter, Kyesha Comeagain soccering through one from the square to make it a five-point game at the half. However, the game then opened up with Breeanna Hamlett showing great forward craft and strong marking skills to kick two goals while Selina Kiddle used great strength to grab two of her own with Kelly adding a second. Jessica Giudice-Nairn was combining well with the Johansen sisters to find plenty of runs and carry on the wing while Olivia Bidwell was the best for Rovers. Ruck Davina Whitney was also finding plenty of ball around the ground and Abby Green was getting into threatening positions. In the end, the country week strip took the match 37-29. Coaches Nathan Johansen and Daniel Starling named Bidwell and Jasmine Johansen joint winners of the inaugural Heather Brett Trophy for best player. Colts saw the Narwee All-stars (Northampton strip) against the Iluka All-stars as Clay Azevedo continued his strong form from last year with four goals in a dominant forward display. Tyler Corlett showed good pace off half-forward while Jack Connell was dominant in the midfield as Narwee led 40-14 after the first half. Iluka did far better in the third quarter, closing the gap two within two goals as Lucas Ronan was proving to be a handful for Narwee defenders. However, Iluka dominated the final quarter to take a 30-point win as Connell won the inaugural Rod Owen Medal. The league all-star match was a rare opportunity to see a league game under lights as Harry Taylor and Kim Schofield led their respective sides, although Taylor playing as a player-coach would switch sides at half-time. Unfortunately despite the hype in the lead-up the match was a one-sided affair as the Gerald Apartment All-Stars (Towns strip) managed 100 points in the shortened format in a 55-point smashing of the Active West All-Stars. Chapman Valley’s Jay O’Brien enjoyed himself with three goals while Brigades’ Kristerfer Ryder was a constant threat up forward and Dylan Corbett had great pace at half-forward. Taylor was often looking to pass the ball off rather than score himself, although he did pick up a goal for each side while Ringo McKenna ran hard through the midfield in a losing effort. Railways’ Dion Anthony was awarded the Colin Cox Trophy, with GNFL president Carrissa Bellottie describing the day as a huge success. “Very happy with the turnout and happy with numbers from the players across the three games today,” she said. “It’s definitely something we’ll look at putting on the calendar for years to come and it’s been very successful in generating the interest behind country week amongst both the players and community.”