GSFLW 2026: Mt Barker Bulls ready to charge through 2026 season with fresh faces and strong leadership

Reigning premiers Mt Barker will head into the new women’s season with a reshaped line up, balancing the loss of key players with an exciting mix of returning talent and new faces. The Bulls claimed back-to-back Great Southern Football League Women’s premierships in April last year, dominant 37-point grand final winners over Denmark-Walpole. Preparing for the 2026 campaign, Bulls coach Sheridan Kowald said the side will feel the absence of of several experienced players this season. “We don’t have Kaitlin Eades — she did her ACL and she’s actually retired so she’s going to be a big loss, and we don’t have Ivy Parsons either,” she said. “We don’t have Paris Wallinger — she got another concussion in our semifinal last year and she’s had a fair few head knocks so she’s not playing anymore.” Despite the losses, Kowald said the Bulls have welcomed a strong group of recruits including Mikayla Kafi from Katanning and Millie Brady from Albany. “(Brady) she hasn’t played footy before so she’s new but she’s going great guns. She’s going to be a good addition,” Kowald said. Kowald said there are several players to watch this season, including a dangerous forward and rising young talent for the team. “Tajah Griffiths she’s coming back . . . she’s going to be brilliant down forward for us,” she said. “May Porter is probably only 17 but she has been brilliant in the couple of sessions she’s come to.” With experienced leaders like co-captains Sarah Eisenberg and Sophie Richards, and vice-captain Jada Williams, Kowald said the core of the team remained strong. “We’ve still got a really good core group of girls, a very strong and skilful group of girls,” she said. While the Bulls are chasing a historic three-peat, Kowald said her focus remained firmly on development and enjoyment. “They’re (the girls) willing to learn, develop their game, get an understanding and you just see improvement after improvement every week with them,” she said. “As long as the girls are enjoying their footy and they’re learning and they’re developing the game and they’re getting better, that’s all I ever want out of this season.” The Bulls start their title defence against Railways on Saturday at Collingwood Park before their first home game in round two against Albany.