State Country Football Back in 2022Thursday, July 28, 2022 - 9:16 AM - by Mark Readings

WA’s best country footballers will make their long-awaited return to representative action on Saturday when they play South Australia at the Adelaide Oval. 

The New Holland State Country team is aiming to make it back-to-back victories against the Croweaters for the first time. 

After a two-year hiatus due to covid limitations, WA has named a significantly different line up from the side which triumphed in the last interstate clash at Optus Stadium in 2019. 

The team will feature several players wearing the Black Swan for the first time.  

Great Northern's Kingsley Smith (Northampton), along with Goldfield's duo Cam Symonds (Kal City) and Jordan Delbridge (Mines Rovers) are the only remaining members from 2019. 

Five players from the victorious South West side at the recent Nutrien Ag Country Championships will swap the green and gold for State honours, with Thomas Gorter (South Bunbury), Sam Lewis (Augusta Margaret River), Braden Fimmano (Harvey), Bailey Taylor (Carey Park), and Zac Trigwell (Donnybrook) all rewarded with selection following outstanding performances at the Carnival. 

A pair of 23-year-olds will bookend the Black Swans team with Bailey Taylor set to hold down a key defensive position and Gnowangerup's Lewis Davis, fresh from kicking a tally of 15 goals across the three days at the Country Championships, sure to be a focal point up forward. 

Several players have tasted state league level football in the WAFL previously, led by former Subiaco trio Justin Joyce (Kukerin/Dumbleyung), Adam Cockie (Moora) and Kaidyn Fullgrabe (Cunderdin), Claremont’s Matt Palfrey (Railways Albany), Perth/Swan Districts Matt Rogers (Cunderdin), Perth/ Peel’s Gerald Ugle (Mines Rovers) and East Fremantle’s Kim Schofield (Brigades). 

2021's West Coast Poly Player of the Year Guy Langdon (Dampier) and Runner Up Fraser House (Gnowangerup) have also been selected to make the trip across the Nullarbor. 

Kane Benson, Manager Country Football Development – North at the West Australian Football Commission, says after a difficult process finalising selection, it is exciting to see the team in action at one of Australia's most iconic sporting venues. 

"We’re privileged to be able to play at Adelaide Oval and the opportunity won't be lost on anyone". 

It's a great rivalry with South Australia and while we’ve had some success at home, a win on the road has eluded us for a long time, and we hope to change that this year,” Benson said. 

A mix of experience and youth has Benson confident of a strong showing. 

“Naturally there are some very experienced players in the side, but we’ve complimented that with a great mix of young players who’ve been playing great football which gives us a very balanced side. 

The likes of Davis, Taylor, Lewis, Garcia, Trigwell?and House are all under 25 and we can't wait to see them at this level,” said Benson. 

The game will be a curtain raiser for the Adelaide versus Carlton clash on Saturday night. 

Further information, including livestream details of the match, will be available at WACFL.com.au or via the WACFLs Facebook page closer to the game. 

NEW HOLLAND STATE COUNTRY SIDE