A squad of 27, coached by Darrell Panizza, will play against the Ongerup Football Association and the Eastern Districs Football League.

Wins in both games will almost certainly see the side move into the grand final to be played on Sunday at Medibank Stadium in Leederville.

The side consists of players from every GSFL club, with the undefeated Royals having the majority with 10 players, including captain James McRae.

Mt Barker Bulls defender Nathan Skinner, participating in his 10th carnival, is vice-captain.

McRae is no stranger to leadership having previously captained the South West League at the carnival and the West Australian Country State side in 2005 and 2006.

“It is great that we have a full squad to choose from,” McRae said.

“The most pleasing aspect is that the best players have all put their hands up to play.

“This gives us a great shot of claiming the B-Section title and hopefully a promotion to the A-Section next year.”

The skipper said the many experienced players in the squad was a bonus.

“We have some guys who have been here quite a few times before such as Brett Hall, Leith Edwards and Skinner, as well as some younger guys playing their first carnival,” McRae said.

“Brayden Dunkeld, Scott Powell and Peter Taylor are all quality players who bring different things to our side.

“The players and support staff have really got behind the concept.

“There is a real positive feeling within the group,” McRae said.

Due to the carnival, there are no local games this weekend, which will come as a relief to Denmark-Walpole and Railways who were both beaten last week.

Railways were never really in the hunt at Tigerland on Saturday, going down to Royals by 22 points in difficult conditions.

The premiership favourites led at every change to run out winners 11.6 (72) to the inaccurate Tigers 6.14 (50).

Royals would be heartened that some of their lesser lights featured amongst the best players list.

Colin Pass, Brayden Dunkeld and Aaron Triplett were all good contributors, while youngster Chris Flick played his best game.

Nick and Michael Cramer along with Sam Stone were Railways’ best on a day where they found few four-quarter contributors.

At Frost Park in Mt Barker on Saturday, the Bulls kept their finals chances alive with a stirring 24-point win over Denmark-Walpole.

Sixteen-year-old Ben Saunders was again a revelation in front of goal and kicked three early majors to help his side to a 19-point lead at the first change.

A fightback by the Giants in the second term saw them take the lead by half-time. Brodie Hickey was gathering plenty of the ball and Robbie Farmer was seemingly unstoppable in front of goal.

But the fighting Bulls’ spirit and a rampaging Saunders resulted in the home side piling on six goals in the third quarter to all but seal the game.

Saunders finished with eight goals to be his side’s best player, along with David Pearce, Will Horrocks and Shane Van Reeken, in the Bulls 12.9 (81) to 9.3 (57) win.

“It was great to have a win and keep us in the finals race,” said Bulls’ coach Greg Bunker.