GSFL 2025: Kangas sweat on verdict on key position star Josh Bootsma after knee injury in Anzac Day loss

North Albany key position star Josh Bootsma’s season hangs in the balance with the club fearing the worst after he went down with a serious knee injury on Anzac Day. Bootsma made the move from Corrigin back to his junior club this season, linking up with brother Jayden and father Brad who is coach of the Kangas league side. The former Carlton and Peel Thunder player featured in his first game for the red and whites since 2011 in the opening round of the Great Southern Football League season on April 25. However his return to the GSFL lasted just a few minutes, hobbling off with a knee injury early in the first term at Keep The Sheep Stadium. Bootsma played no further part in the Anzac Day defeat and was on the sidelines with his knee in a compression bandage during their loss to Albany on Saturday. Coach Brad Bootsma said they expect to know the full extend of Josh’s knee damage by the end of this week but fear he has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury. “Josh has torn his lateral ligament and we are not sure on the ACL but we suspect it may be the case,” Brad Bootsma said. “It’s certainly not looking good. “He will miss six to 12 weeks depending on how bad the lateral damage is. “We will find out about the ACL this week.” An ACL injury would be a horror result for the Kangas who are desperate to improve on their two-win season in 2024. They went down by 49 points in this year’s season opener and then suffered a 73-point loss at the hands of the reigning premiers in round two. The Kangas were without skipper Nick Barrow in the loss to the Sharks and they are hopeful they can regain their experienced midfielder ahead of Saturday’s big clash with Denmark-Walpole. Jack O’Farrell will miss with a shoulder injury and Jake Castle is out with a hamstring injury, adding to the Kangas early season woes. The game at McLean Park between the two sides that missed out on the finals last year will be an early chance for both clubs to get on the board. The Magpies have lost both games to start the new campaign but have been more than competitive. New recruit Sam Holmes has been a standout and James Charlesworth has been a vital addition to their front half while big man Shayne Zanetti was a welcome inclusion last week. The Magpies host the Kangas in one of three Saturday fixtures in round three, all starting at 2.30pm. The Sharks and Royals square off in a grand final rematch at Retravision Stadium. Sharks’ Zac Pearson will play his 150th league game for the club and become the first player to receive life membership. Meanwhile the Tigers and Mt Barker, who are both undefeated, will face off in an intriguing battle at Keep The Sheep Stadium.