GSFL 2025: Key position star Josh Bootsma among a number of strong inclusions for North Albany in new campaign
North Albany coach Brad Bootsma says his club are focused on being more competitive and staying in games longer as they enter the 2025 Great Southern Football League season.
The Kangas finished fifth on the ladder last year and didn't play finals but endured some heavy defeats along the way.
Bootsma was determined to make the Kangas better for longer in the new campaign.
'I'm not going to say we're going to make the four, I'm going to say we're going to win x amount of games,' he said.
'I'm just more confident, or more keen on making sure we can bridge that gap a little bit, and I feel like we will be in a better space this year.'
The Kangas hopes of an improved win tally will be boosted by the return of former AFL player and club junior Josh Bootsma, who has spent the last few years playing for Corrigin.
He will return to the red and white for the first time since 2011 and brother Jayden Bootsma is also back at the club.
Returning players Anthony Coyne, Harry Smith, Jack O'Farrell and Jake Castle will add important depth and livewire Liam Bennell is also an inclusion.
The Kangas confirmed the loss of Angus McKercher, Fynn Kelleher-Bird, Alasdair Holroyd, Brock Tiede, and Luke Mowaljarlai from last season.
Bootsma said the club also had a strong pool of junior players ready to move up through the senior ranks, including Dylan Bennett, Reagan Christensen, Lachlan Gorman, Blake Tysoe, and last season's colts captain Jack Doak, who all snagged valuable experience with the league side during the 2024 season.
He said he hoped some of the team's younger players would let the confidence and experience they gained in the previous season shine through this year.
'We've really worked on a lot of fitness this year and and some other other things as well to try and bridge that gap to be a bit more competitive,' Bootsma said.
Bootsma said the club was hopeful veteran midfielder Matt Orzel might return to play this year but expected regular captain Regan Lloyd to spend another year on the sidelines as he works back from a serious knee injury.
Nick Barrow will captain the Kangas again and Kobi Keen is the vice-captain.
The Kangas will face Railways in the Anzac Day blockbuster to open their season on April 25 before their first home game in round two against defending premiers Albany.
2024 REWIND
Finish:
Fifth
Best and fairest:
Nick Barrow
Highest Kleemann votes:
Jyrin Woods (4)
Leading goalkicker:
Graham Ross (28)
Biggest win:
70 points v Denmark-Walpole
Worst loss:
161 points v Railways
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The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. 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Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said. St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said.
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'Not acceptable': Flanagan lashes Dragons after shocker
St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said.
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St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan has vowed that the 56-6 loss to the Dolphins will be a blip on the radar and not a trend. "I'll make sure of it. Don't you worry. That's my job," Flanagan said. The veteran coach would not have been expecting such a dire display after two solid wins over Brisbane and Newcastle. Apart from the 46-18 loss to Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day the Dragons had been in every match this season, including three losses by a solitary point. At Suncorp Stadium on Friday night the Dragons collapsed in a heap. "We can make excuses but we are not here to make excuses. It just wasn't up to standard," Flanagan said. "It is really disappointing. I just explained to the group that we will review it. We've got a short turnaround (before playing Cronulla on Thursday night). "It's not acceptable for the Dragons and we will deal with it internally. We will review it closely. I haven't got an answer for you (as to) why (it happened)." The Dragons lost winger Christian Tuipulotu (hamstring) in the first half after he spent seven weeks out with the same injury. "Hamstrings," the coach sighed. "That is something else we will need to review. We gave him an extra week (off) and it is really frustrating from a coach's perspective. It is an area we are not flush with. "To lose your winger in the first half is really throws the whole rhythm of the team out." Forward Raymond Faitala-Mariner was replaced due to shortness of breath in the second half. He went to hospital. "I think it was something like an asthma attack and pretty bad. I haven't got any details just yet," Flanagan said. Tuipulotu could be set for another lengthy stint on the sideline and Flanagan will review whether other changes are required for the clash with the Sharks away. "I'll have a look at it," Flanagan said. "I've been around long enough to learn that you have got to be careful straight after a game with what you say and what you do, especially in that space. We will review it and see who is available and make a decision then, but there could be (changes)." The Dragons led early after Valentine Holmes landed a long-range penalty goal before having 50 consecutive points put on them. Flanagan said he had no regrets about the side taking the two points and not going for a try. "I learned a long time ago from better coaches - Jack Gibson and Ron Massey - when two points are available and especially an early gift (you take them). I'd always take the two points," he said.
