GNFL 2024 season preview: Speed and smarts the key for Mullewa to rise up the ladder

Mullewa is looking to use its speed and footy smarts to improve in season 2024.

The side has been towards the bottom end of the ladder since their premiership win in 2017, but a successful colts season means the talent is coming through.

President Mick Wall said the side had looked promising through the preseason.

“We had a scratch match early April, and we had pretty good numbers for that,” he said.

“Hopefully once the season kicks in, we’ll get better and better and see more improvement.”

Charlie Comeagain will take the reigns this year, as the Saints look to rise back up the ladder.

Wall said the side struggled with height, so they would aim to use their skills to their advantage.

“We haven’t got much height, so we’re going to have to play quick,” he said.

“We’ll have to use our pace and play smart footy.”

One of the keys to their success could come through their colts, who have made back-to-back grand finals, winning the premiership last season.

Wall said a number of them could push towards consistent league games.

“Jerome Little and Gregg Gallby, they looked awesome in that scratch match,” he said.

“There’s about four or five of them that could come up to league this year.

“In our colts, we’ve still got some good young boys coming up, so we’re pretty strong there still.”

One who may have limited availability throughout the season is one of the best on from the 2023 colts grand final Dwayne Ryder.

Having played one game for Subiaco’s WAFL colts side already this year as a 16-year-old, Wall was confident Ryder would play games for the Saints at some point during the year.

“If he doesn’t play for Subi, he’ll come up and play for us every other week,” he said.

“He’s pretty small, but he’s going to be a good footballer.

“He’s educated, he trains hard, and he’s pretty good already.”

Meanwhile, the women’s side is also preparing for season 2024 as they look to move off the bottom of the ladder.

GLENN BARNDON’S PREDICTION: SIXTH

On the back of talented youth including a colts premiership and the reserves runners-up, Mullewa are looking to push up the premiership table. Since the Saints last league premiership in 2017 they have wallowed near the bottom of the premiership table and need experience and height in some key positions