Brownlow medallist Matt Priddis to pull on boots for Williams in new season as they look to go back-to-back

Reigning premiers Williams have lost last year’s Leo Graham medallist Lewis Davis ahead of the 2021 Upper Great Southern Football League season that starts on Sunday.

However, the Cats have a prize recruit for the new season with 2014 Brownlow Medal and former West Coast star Matt Priddis cleared to the club in their quest to go back-to-back.

Priddis was set to play for the Cats back in 2019 but he never took to the field and played his first game for premiership points since retiring from the AFL in 2017 last year in a special fixture for Lake Grace-Pingrup in the Ongerup Football Association.

However, Priddis appears set to run out for the Cats this year after his brother, Ben, also signed a clearance to the reigning premiers.

Davis, who was named the best player in the UGSFL, has returned home to his family farm in Borden and is playing for OFA powerhouse Gnowangerup alongside former Geelong-listed player Timm House.

UGSFL president Tim Cowcher confirmed Priddis would be the star attraction in a tightly contested competition.

“Matt Priddis is clearly the biggest in this season,” he said.

“There is an air of excitement around with the season about to get under way.

“I think it will be a really close competition and a very tight contest for the finals spots.”

Priddis will go head-to-head with former Dockers star Hayden Ballantyne in Williams on June 19 in the league’s Beyond Blue match.

Ballantyne has been playing with Pinjarra in the Peel Football League season, but will make a cameo appearance for Brookton-Pingelly against the Cats.

There is also talk that Fremantle legend and four time All-Australian Aaron Sandilands could play a few matches for Wickepin.

The Warriors made the grand final last year but will have to cover the loss of key quartet Jayden and Kim Schofield who have gone to the Great Northern Football League, ex-WAFL player Dion Anthony and ruckman Jayden Brooks.

Katanning Wanderers will be bolstered by the return of 2018 Leo Graham medallist and ex-Hawthorn player Kade Stewart, while joint 2017 Leo Graham Medal winner Nathan Bravington will return to the UGSFL but not for Williams, instead moving to Boddington.

Narrogin Hawks will regain gun defender Kaine Riley from the Northern Territory Football League and Kyle Hamersley will play for Boddington after returning from the WAFL.

UGSFL Round 1 Fixtures — Sunday

Wagin v Brookton-Pingelly, Matera Oval

Narrogin Hawks v Katanning Wanderers, Clayton Road Oval

Kukerin-Dumbleyung v Boddington, Nenke Oval

Wickepin v Williams, Wickepin