ST Joseph’s and Leopold will open the 2026 GFL season with an Easter Saturday clash at Lorne’s Stribling Reserve.<\/p>\n
Both sides will bring new-look lineups after multiple departures in a busy offseason, but several fresh faces will also make their club debuts.<\/p>\n
After going down to St Mary’s in the grand final last season, the Joeys will again be a finals threat despite losing a handful of players from that side.<\/p>\n
Established players such as Lewis Antonac, Jack Buckley and James Hickey have joined young guns such as Felix Henderson, Oscar Morrison and Tanner Owen in finding new clubs.<\/p>\n
But with James Gow taking on a joint head coach role with Ron Watt, St Joseph’s can never be counted out.<\/p>\n
The Lions also saw a mass exodus of players from their 2023 and 2024 premiership runs, with the likes of Connor Giddings, Sam Scott, Harris Jennings and Logan Wagener all moving on.<\/p>\n
Fellow GFL club Lara has entered recess for this year, and bull Cats midfielder Darby Henderson has joined Leopold in one of the biggest signings of the offseason.<\/p>\n
Despite missing out on finals last year, the Lions will again be in the hunt to continue their recent success this season.<\/p>\n
With hundreds expected to flock to the picturesque, beach-backdropped Stribling Reserve, a hot contest between two top five fancies is ensured.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ST Joseph’s and Leopold will open the 2026 GFL season with an Easter Saturday clash at Lorne’s Stribling Reserve. Both sides will bring new-look lineups after multiple departures in a busy offseason, but several fresh faces will also make their club debuts. After going down to St Mary’s in the grand final last season, the […]<\/p>\n