Towns coach Dale Baynes says new young guns have a bright future in the GNFL

The Great Northern Football League this weekend seems predictable, with strong favourites in every game.

Today, Northampton should win at home against Towns while Rovers will surely make amends for recent form against Chapman Valley at home and on Sunday, Railways should win in Mullewa.

It’s not ideal to be out of finals contention already, but Towns coach Dale Baynes sees a light, not a tunnel.

“Morale is upbeat and we’re blooding many younger players and getting games under their belts,” Baynes said.

“Taj Satie has an amazing physique for a 17-year-old and skills on both sides of his body while Kael Corlett has probably shown the most improvement of anyone I’ve seen over the past three years.

“Drew Forrester is now an extremely reliable defender and we’re adding to his game by moving him forward at times.

“Lachie Morphew is a 196cm athlete from a basketball background who’s coming along as a ruckman and I think will take the next step when he goes to Perth for uni.”

Baynes also named Dahkoa Clarke, Callum Marquis, Kade Gillingham, Jim Hyde, Rourke Drage, Denzel Gould and Jayden Davis as improving plavers.

My coaching now is about teaching and breaking things down so the players understand the why of each drill — it’s rewarding when things we’ve worked on happen on game day.

“If somebody better comes along to coach, I’ll step aside,” he said.

“I’m competitive so don’t like losing but remind myself of youth development — previous teams I’ve coached were very good so we basically knew what was expected of each other.

“My coaching now is about teaching and breaking things down so the players understand the why of each drill — it’s rewarding when things we’ve worked on happen on game day.”

Defensively, Towns have been mostly decent but offensively just 17 goals in five games (not counting Mullewa) is an issue.

“We knew that in the pre-season but haven’t found a solution, Forrester when forward creates a better structure and Shane Johnson’s commitment has helped but it’s an area we must address.”

As for which club he favours to take the title? “I thought either Railways or Rovers initially but Norths were bound to lift with Harry Taylor, Beau Walker and Flynn Dillon coming in plus a few from Perth.”

“Brigades upset Rovers a few weeks ago so can’t discount them, considering Dale Williamson’s form and the Schofield boys in the midfield.

“If I had to back a team from here, I’d pick Railways.”