Community Bank Geraldton GNFL: Seven teams prepare to write their destinies as 2026 season gets underway

Goalposts are in place, pre-season is over, jumpers have been assigned and final cases have been made for selection as the Community Bank Geraldton GNFL season begins for another year. There is not a whole lot the seven rival coaches will agree upon but the general consensus is that the competition is looking even this year, with young sides ready to stake their claim, dark horses emerging and some of last year’s finalists out for redemption. Saturday is a standalone clash between Railways and Chapman Valley at Recreation Ground to open the season. The other clubs will join the action on Anzac Day, April 25, in round two, with another 15 weekends of exciting and intriguing matches to decide who will contend for premiership glory. Six sides will hope to knock reigning premiers Brigades off their perch, as they open their title defence in 2026 with a fresh set of eyes after coach Cory Foot’s departure at the end of the season. Bringing a Goldfields-inspired approach to his game plan, Kyrone Bradley returns to Geraldton to take over as head coach after a stint with Boulder City in Kalgoorlie. Premiership captain Mick Quick has also hung up the boots but will remain with Brigades as assistant coach, with Dylan Ralph taking over the captaincy. The much-anticipated grand final rematch against Railways isn’t scheduled until round 10 but promises to be a thrilling showdown as Railways searches for redemption this season. In an inspired second-half comeback Brigades ended Railways’ premiership hopes by eight points in last year’s grand final. After some long reflection, analysis and a productive pre-season, coach John Reynolds’ players look set to dust themselves off and challenge for the title again, this season with strong player depth to boot. Chapman Valley and Railways provided some of last season’s most hotly contested matches, with the preliminary final the most fiery of all. Redemption is also on their mind after going out in straight sets last season as reigning premiers, with player/coach Jayden Schofield’s playing group eager to rectify this. Railways’ Dillon Battistessa joins Valley’s ranks, as does Riley Brown from the SWFL and, most notably, former Peel Thunder premiership player Blair Bell. But Valley has have some key outs, with captain Ringo McKenna, Ewan Whitley and Ryan Forrester moving away, while their contingent of Simpson boys have moved back to Rovers. Several past players have been drawn back to Rovers this season, with the men from Greenough Oval shaping up as dark horses after a promising preseason. Keen to return to return to finals for the first time since 2023, brothers and co-coaches Corey and Brody Smith will have some serious star power at their disposal, which will go a long way in lifting Rovers up from the bottom of the ladder. Three J.J. Clune medallists will return in Jaimon Alone, Chris Scott and Tom Denton as will former Docker Josh Simpson. Tristan Simpson makes the move from Railways, as does premiership player Gabriel Parfitt, who has committed for the season. Last season proved to be a breakthrough for Towns as the league side had its first finals appearance since 2018, while the reserves won the flag against Railways. Looking to continue building momentum on last year’s results, coach Beau Walker will keep honing in on an exciting brand of footy with a group of young and old player heading their push to remain in finals. Retaining players is key essential for Walker to continue building on last year’s on-field progress, which he did this off-season, while also bringing Northampton’s Rex and Gus Heberle and former PFL player Noah Ugle to Wonthella Oval. Northampton is also pushing for finals under new leadership, as former reserves coach and league assistant Grant Milentis takes over from Jeremy Heberle in 2026. After bowing out of the top four last season, Northampton are working towards bringing a hard, fast and committed brand of footy to the table. To do so, the Rams have brought in some help from VFL player Nick Georgiadis — who played for years with Williamstown, Railways colts premiership player Gus Spalding and Kalbarri player Max Lawson. While he’s not quite expecting grand finals yet, Milentis is confident his side can be there in September. Also with a new coach, Mullewa is looking to continue their upwards trajectory after winning three games last season and having their fourth straight colts grand final appearance. Despite losing some players to other clubs, coach Marty Seelander believes those colts will successfully slot into the league side, with more green shoots set to emerge during a transitional period for the club. This week’s 12-page wrap covers all seven men’s league teams. For a full rundown on the women’s season. Check out next Friday’s edition.