WA's State Country Team finished sixth overall at the Australian Country Football Championships in Wagga Wagga after being defeated by Queensland in the final game on Sunday, July 22.After losing to Queensland by more than five goals in round-robin competition on Friday, WA did well to be within four points of their opponents at half time of the 5th v 6th play-off.
Queensland had built a 15-point lead by quarter-time but the WA team fought back to bring the deficit to just four points at the main break. However, Queensland proved too strong in the second half, running out 9.10-64 to 7.8-50 winners.
It was an all-Victorian Grand Final for the overall Championship title, with Victoria 1 defending its title with a 68 point thrashing of Victoria 2.
NSW/ACT finished third, South Australia fourth, Queensland fifth and WA sixth.
Picture: WA's Matt Giumelli
WA RESULTS
Game 1:
Victoria 6.6 (42)
Western Australia 3.7 (25)
WA Goal Kickers: Mathew Martin, M. Thomas, Daniel Dalby
WA Best Players: Regan Duckworth, Troy Ditchburn, James Venturini, Kris Clarkson, Jeff Smith and Jesse Gribble.
Game 2:
South Australia 7.3 (45)
Western Australia 3.5 (23)
WA Goal Kickers: Jeff Smith (pictured), James Venturini, Ashley Wallam
WA Best Players: James Venturini, Kris Clarkson, Jayden Brooks, Regan Duckworth, Luke Bairstow and William Barnes.
Game 3:
VIC 2 6.9-45
Western Australiua 1.5-11
WA Goal Kickers: M. Martin.
WA Best Players: T. Vernon, T Ditchburn, M. Martin, R. Duckworth, M. Thomas, J. Brooks.
Game 4:
Western Australia 4.6-30
NSW/ACT 4.0-24
WA Goal Kickers: L. Bairstow, J. Smith, M. Martin, D. Dalby.
WA Best Players: T. Vernon, L. Bairstow, J. Smith, D. Dalby, C. Atthow, M. Giumelli
Game 5:
Queensland 9.5-59
Western Australia 4.3-27
WA Goal Kickers: J. Martin 2, S Delmenico, D Dalby.
WA Best Players: J. Martin, M. Giumelli, J. Smith, C. Atthowe, T. Vernon, L. Bairstow
5th vs 6th Play-Off:
Queensland 9.10-64
Western Australia 7.8-50
WA Goal Kickers: J. Brooks 3, C. Atthowe, M. Martin, T. Skilton , A. Wallam
WA Best Players: J. Smith, T. Ditchburn, J. Brooks, T. Skilton, C. Atthowe, R. Duckworth
