2015 SA v WA State Game Preview

State game preview by Chris Kendall, courtesy of The SANFL and Sportsbeat

2015 SANFL STATE MATCH PREVIEW

Western Australia v South Australia (Lathlain Park) – Saturday 3.45pm
HEAD TO HEAD SINCE 1991: WA 4, SA 7
LAST THREE ENCOUNTERS:
2012: SA 15.11 (101) d WA 13.9 (87)
2009: WA 12.10 (82) d SA 12.9 (81)
2006: SA 14.14 (98) d WA 12.9 (81)

State pride on the line in Western Australia as the Croweaters travel to take on the Sandgropers. Encounters between the states have been fairly evenly matched over the years, but there will be added spice to the match with the return of South Australian legend Graham Cornes to the coaches box. In his first coaching role in 21 years, he has seized the role with alacrity, being seen at many local games to scout the best talent possible for the 24 man squad, which boasts some formidable talent. Western Australia will be led by former AFL assistant coach Darren Harris, who has already flagged that he is aiming to play a fast, attacking style of football around the Lathlain Park expanse, which will suit a number of the hard running Sandgropers.

How South Australia structure their attack will add plenty of intrigue. Expect Panther spearhead Brett Eddy to start near the goal square, with Subiaco veteran Darren Rumble his likely first opponent. Eagle Lachlan McGregor and Redleg Michael Newton should flank him, giving headaches for WA’s Ashton Hams and Tony Notte respectively. Ryan Willits looks an option for Cornes at centre half forward, with West teammate Jason Porplyzia working on one flank and either Ben Hansen or Jonathon Beech on the other flank. Willits will be tested in the aerial battles by the likes of South Fremantle’s Blayne Wilson, who has notched some big WAFL scalps this year. Subiaco’s Wayde Twomey, one of seven Lions in the squad, offers plenty of counter attack if allowed space, and may force SA into a defensive half forward role to negate his influence along with Justin Simpson. The latter’s penetrating and accurate disposal by foot has been a major catalyst all year for Swan Districts and can turn defence into attack quickly.

The midfield looks stacked with pace and heavy ballwinning ability. Rooster Leigh Ryswyk should hold down one wing, where West Perth’s Aaron Black looms as an ideal match in a highly entertaining battle. Either Eagle James Boyd or North’s Marlon Motlop working on the opposite wing against East Fremantle’s Liam Anthony will also be a battle royale, with the former North Melbourne player in strong form. It’s hard to go past West’s Chris Schmidt in the pivot, with his work at the clearances and in the contested situation among the premier in the competition at present

The South Australian defence brims with experience and a number of players who have worked well together at state level. How Cornes works a possible rotation of Norwood skipper Alex Georgiou and West’s Tom Keough in the key defensive role from the goal square will be interesting. Harris may opt to stretch the mobile talls by starting mercurial Subiaco forward Shane Yarran deep in attack, where his pace and guile has led him to the top of the WAFL goalkicking this season. Eagle veteran Luke Jarrad’s penetrating left foot from the back pocket will set up many counter attacks, so WA will need to negate his influence. Double Blue Kory Beard looks a certainty to hold centre half back against Subiaco’s Lachlan Delahunty, with Redleg Jace Bode and state stalwart Paul Thomas on the opposite flank. Bode may get first look at in-form South Fremantle forward Cory Dell’Olio, while Thomas would find Swan Districts’ Ryan Davis an intriguing proposition.

Angus Kurtze’s ruck duties, likely to be shared with Willits, will be tested with the experience of East Perth’s Paul Johnson and West Perth’s Chris Keunen. The former, the reigning Simpson Medal winner for WA’s best against SA, has shown his nous around the ground and ability to create in the air, and this will be monitored carefully at his feet by Magarey Medallists Zane Kirkwood and South’s Joel Cross. Perth’s Aidan Tropiano strong early season has been duly recognised and his ballgetting ability and nous around goals will give SA plenty to consider at the stoppages, while reigning West Perth best and fairest Shane Nelson can turn a game quickly and his clearance work will be pivotal in the centre square.

Cornes will be looking for versatility on the bench, particularly given the luxury of four, instead of the local three on the pine. With doubts over the fitness of Matthew Panos and Nick Liddle, Steven Summerton and Ian Callinan look set to represent the respective AFL Reserves of Port and Adelaide, while Keough and Georgiou may rotate from there along with Boyd and Motlop.
State football always brings out the best in the combatants and this clash looks no exception. South Australia has held sway over the last 21 years, with Western Australia victorious only once in that period, but the first state encounter between the teams at Lathlain Park may carry some history of its own. The parochial Croweater in me leans toward us taking home the crown, but there is plenty of talent in the WA lineup, enough for them to just hold sway for mine.

RADIO: Life FM 107.9
LIVE STREAMING: www.wafl.com.au/stategame

TIP: Western Australia 1-12

Does anyone really give a Toss about this game??

The fact that we couldnt even find a modern day coach interested in coaching the squad I think says it all!!!

Well John Nankivell, Phil Aspinall & myself do.

That is why we are over here in Perth to provide some live media coverage back home.

Through the web cast, LifeFM & FOOT-e TIMES.

i care too, but i wont be able to hear or see it , pity it isn't on the radio proper, hopefully someone who has internet on their phone can give me a final score at some stage tomorrow evening

i hope you three gentlemen have a great day & more importantly stay safe & travel safely

bayman wrote:i care too, but i wont be able to hear or see it , pity it isn't on the radio proper,  hopefully someone who has internet on their phone can give me a final score at some stage tomorrow evening

i hope you three gentlemen have a great day & more importantly stay safe & travel safely

It will be on the radio, proper, bayman...

PhilH and Johnny Nanks will be calling it for LifeFM - 107.9 back into Adelaide, from 3:00pm SA time...

I'm calling for the Live Video Stream, from 3:15pm SA time...

I hope you have a great call BP and you and Johnny keep each other entertained.

All monies invested in this circus of a game should be redirected to junior development in SA from next year.

Big Phil wrote:

bayman wrote:i care too, but i wont be able to hear or see it , pity it isn't on the radio proper,  hopefully someone who has internet on their phone can give me a final score at some stage tomorrow evening

i hope you three gentlemen have a great day & more importantly stay safe & travel safely

It will be on the radio, proper, bayman...

PhilH and Johnny Nanks will be calling it for LifeFM - 107.9 back into Adelaide, from 3:00pm SA time...

I'm calling for the Live Video Stream, from 3:15pm SA time...

Tough choice, three excellent callers.

Big Phil wrote:

bayman wrote:i care too, but i wont be able to hear or see it , pity it isn't on the radio proper,  hopefully someone who has internet on their phone can give me a final score at some stage tomorrow evening

i hope you three gentlemen have a great day & more importantly stay safe & travel safely

It will be on the radio, proper, bayman...

PhilH and Johnny Nanks will be calling it for LifeFM - 107.9 back into Adelaide, from 3:00pm SA time...

I'm calling for the Live Video Stream, from 3:15pm SA time...

Ok, thanks, will be tuning in while in the car in a sec

Will probably keep an eye on scores on SANFL app

br wrote:I hope you have a great call BP and you and Johnny keep each other entertained.

All monies invested in this circus of a game should be redirected to junior development in SA from next year.

why, that would basically just help the AFL ?

SA 5.3
WA 3.3

SA 5.4
WA 5.3
11 mins in

2nd qtr 15 mins

SA and WA 6.4 (40) apiece

WA 7.5
SA 6.4
22 mins 2nd

great to hear glen Mitchell calling again

WA 8.6
SA 6.4
Half time

First goal in 2nd half to WA
WA 9.6
SA 6.5
2 mins 3rd

WA 9.6
SA 7.7
8 mins in 3rd

WA 11.7 (73)
SA 7.7 (49)

WA all over SA this quarter

WA 12.7 (79)
SA 7.7 (49)

The children near the commentary box enjoying the game

WA 13.8
SA 8.8

23 mins 3rd

WA 13.9 (87)
SA 9.9 (63)
28 mins 3rd

First goal of the last term to SA
WA 13.9 (87)
SA 10.9 (69)

WA 13.10 (88)
SA 10.9 (89)
9 mins last term

WA 14.11 (95)
SA 10.9 (69)
15 mins last term, might almost be all over now for SA