Katanning football star and GSFLW grand final hero Georgia Kowald set to hang boots up after State clash

Mt Barker star ruck and Great Southern Football League grand final hero Georgia Kowald is hoping to salute her storied career when she pulls on the boots for the State country side on Friday night. One of the best country players in the State, Kowald’s second State appearance will be one of her last matches after the Katanning product announced she will retire from the sport after she has a third knee reconstruction at the end of the month. “I’ve had two knee reconstructions and this one will be the third so I will be retiring from the game,” she said. “Playing back-to-back seasons (with Mt Barker and South Bunbury) the body takes a hammering and I’ve played the last year and a half without an ACL. “I will play this State game then two more with South Bunbury and that will be me done. “We’re going there to give it a red hot crack and hopefully we win.” Georgia Kowald played three matches for South Fremantle in the WAFLW before moving back to regional leagues where she was selected in the 2022 country State squad. She will line up alongside 23 of the State’s best regional players, including Bulls line-breaking winger and fellow Katanning product Kaitlin Eades when they lock horns with Perth Football League at Gil Fraser Reserve. The duo currently play together for South Bunbury in the South West Football League under Bulls premiership-winning coach Sheridan Kowald, who is also from Katannning. The country side has an all-female coaching staff with Rennie Meadmore taking the reins as head coach and Sheridan Kowald her assistant. “In 2022 we all played together (Eades and Sheridan Kowald) so it will be an interesting dynamic with me and Kaitlin playing forward and Sheridan coach,” Georgia Kowald said. “It will be a bit different playing mainly as a forward with some stints in the ruck. “I know Kaitlin will be at my feet always in the forward line and I’ll share ruck roles with Gemma Dix.” It is the third instalment of the famous country-v-metro stoush in the women’s game and the ledger is squared at one win each. The game gets under way at 7.30pm and is being broadcast live on Streamer.