GSFL 2026: Denmark-Walpole chase rare flag double, Mt Barker out to claim reserves title

Denmark-Walpole will chase a cherished colts and 16s flag double, when their talented youngsters vie for premiership glory in front of a huge home crowd on Saturday.

Thousands are expected to flock to McLean Park in Denmark for the 2026 grand final, with the home fans out in force early as the Magpies play in both the 16s and colts deciders.

The Magpies are hoping to create history by winning their first 16s title in the GSFL and will have their eyes on a rare double, with their colts also out for a maiden GSFL premiership.

Last year the Magpies were red-hot favourites to win the 16s grand final but were overrun on the big stage by Royals.

They will get another crack at premiership glory, the Magpies set to face out-of-town rivals Mt Barker in the first game of the day.

The Magpies have lost just one game this season, to the Bulls in round 12, and were emphatic 29-point winners over the Bulls in the qualifying final.

The Bulls then rebounded to claim last week’s preliminary final and set up another encounter with their main rivals.

The Magpies boast the best player in the 16s competition in Lucas Charlton while goal-kicking star Lomas Ugle will be on the Bulls side.

The colts grand final will be an intriguing one, as the Magpies chase a first flag while a resurgent Railways side aim for back-to-back titles.

Minor premiers Royals were knocked out in the colts finals series, the Magpies having won their past seven games including the qualifying final.

The Tigers won just three games in the regular season but have knocked off North Albany and then the Lions on their way to a grand final berth.

Last year the Tigers broke a 34-year premiership drought and now they get the chance to make it consecutive flags.

The two colts grand final opponents played out a pulsating draw in round four this season, with the Magpies massive winners of their next two encounters.

Mt Barker and Royals will do battle in the reserves grand final, with a talent stacked Bulls outfit raging favourites to take home the spoils.

With veterans Sam Lehmann, Dionne Woods and Peter Taylor in their line-up along with the likes of Mitch Jackson, Dylan Gowdie and Kye Griffiths who have played regular league football in the last couple of years — the Bulls will be hard to stop.

The Lions finished third on the ladder and went down narrowly in last year’s grand final, in their bid for five straight flags.

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