GNFL 2026 season preview: Rovers reject dark horse calls as favourite sons return home to Greenough Oval

The cavalry has come home to Greenough Oval this season as Rovers looks to return to past heights and charge up the ladder following a major off-season recruiting drive. Brothers Corey and Brody Smith return as co-head coaches for the 2026 season and will keep building on what they started last year. After claiming the wooden spoon in 2025, with one win against Mullewa, many are flagging Rovers as dark horses heading into this season off the back of a promising pre-season. Brody Smith has declared they have their sights set on playing finals footy for the first time since 2023. “That’s where our club belongs, and that’s what we’re striving for,” he said. “There’s some really good teams this year, and I think it’s going to be an even competition, but the biggest thing is improvement from us. “After a one-win season last year, we’re certainly got our sights set on going up the ladder.” Despite claiming the wooden spoon last season, they saw a wealth of improvement off field with player development, rebuilding culture and striving for high standards. This year, list stocks have been given a massive boost with several past players returning to Rovers Oval, bringing experience from AFL, WAFL and other GNFL clubs. These include JJ Clune medallist trio Jaimon Alone, Chris Scott and Tom Denton, three-time premiership player Gabriel Parfitt, former Docker Josh Simpson and 100-gamer Tristan Simpson. In bringing these past players back, Rovers are looking to boast additional maturity and experience to the overall list, while reinforcing, modelling and driving standards within the young group. “They’re reinforcing those and taking them to the next level,” Corey Smith said. “They’ve been suggesting things they’re bringing from where they’ve been playing over the last few years, which helped us grow and develop, particularly with game plan, standards and culture that we’re trying to build.” Chad and Jason Daniels — two brothers from Perth — have also joined the ranks. Rovers kick off their season away against Mullewa on Saturday, April 25 at Mullewa Town Oval. “We’re primed and we’ve set ourselves a good game plan,” Corey Smith said. “Hopefully we’re going to be able to execute it well and play some good team footy.”