2025 GNFL Round 1 preview: Towns host Rovers to kick start the 2025 GNFL season in standalone fixture

The GNFL returns this Saturday at Wonthella as fans are set to flock to Eighth Street to watch Towns and Rovers kick the 2025 season into gear. League is set for bouncedown at 5.30pm with the season getting started in round one’s standalone fixture under lights in what is set to be a gritty contest. All other teams have a bye this weekend. After improving on their 2023 season which saw them only win one game, 2024 was a a big step in the right direction for Towns as they look to continue their march. With a productive offseason, the Bulldogs signed crafty midfielder Zane Marwick who makes the move from Railways along with premiership-winning small forward, former Royal Jay O’Brien. Towns will be hoping the pair provide a bit of class at stoppages in the midfield and the forward 50. Their inclusions, as well as the already impressive young guns the Bulldogs have at their disposal, will be something to look out for this season. Co-coaches for Towns, Dale Baynes and Beau Walker, will be looking to hit the ground running as they are gifted a great opportunity to get an early win at home to begin their 2025 campaign. In their way are a hungry Rovers side. Starved of success last season, Rovers returned to the drawing board in the off-season as the club went though multiple changes from the top down. They are led by new co-coaches, brothers Corey and Brody Smith, who have placed great deal of importance on building the club’s culture back to its former glory. A season of rebuilding is expected from Rovers as they look to find their feet in the competition but with an impressive crop of colts and 16s coming through, it will open the door to debutants this season. Meanwhile, Towns women play host to Rovers at 4pm with the reigning premiers looking to continue their reign at the top of the GNWFL mountain. Towns flexed their muscles throughout the entire 2024 before dismantling Chapman Valley in the grand final by 34 points, and will be looking to do that same this season. A big loss for Towns in the off-season was the departure of Gemma Dix as she pursues her football at the Perth Demons in the WAFLW. Towns coaching staff will be looking for others to stand up in her absence as the Bulldogs prepare to defend their flag. Looking to upset their plans early in season 2025 is Rovers. Finishing fifth on the ladder last season with two wins from 12 games, the Demons go into the new season with hope as they look for a step in the right direction. Going into his second season as coach, Joe Iaria said the squad was raring and ready to go despite the tough challenge ahead of them. “I have never met a more resilient bunch of women,” he said. “No matter the result they continue to show up and play their hearts out. “We have a new structure now and a solid game plan so we are looking forward to testing it out against the best on Saturday.” Round 1: Saturday, April 26 (WA Country Builders Stadium) Towns v Rovers (12.30pm colts, 2.30pm reserves, 4pm women and 5.30pm league) Byes: Brigades, Chapman Valley, Mullewa, Northampton, Railways