Adelaide Footy League 2019 state squad announced for match against Queensland Australian Football League

Division one ladder leader Prince Alfred Old Collegians’ dominance has been recognised with the most players selected in a defensively strong 42-man Adelaide Footy League state squad.

SA's Justin Sheedy is tackled heavily by Victoria's Courtney Hylton during the representative match between the Adelaide Footy League and Victorian Amateur Football League last year. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

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Division one ladder leader Prince Alfred Old Collegians’ early-season dominance has been recognised with six players selected in a 42-man Adelaide Footy League state squad.

The Old Reds have more representatives than any other club in the group picked to take on the Queensland Australian Football League in Brisbane on the June long weekend.

Brothers Craig and Jake Pitt – in their first year at PAOC – key position player Will Dalwood, former Gold Coast Sun Hayden Jolly, Adam Perryman and Ollie Clark are in contention from the Old Reds.

The squad will be whittled down to 22 for the trip to Queensland.

Chairman of selectors and Scotch Old Collegians coach Kym Cobb said a lot of work had been put into choosing the list between himself, coach Brett Backwell (PAOC) and assistants Adam Jeffries (Goodwood), Joel Tucker (Brighton) and Ben Hunt (Payneham Norwood Union).

PAOC coach Brett Backwell will take charge of the state side this year. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Goodwood Saints coach Adam Jeffries will assist Backwell this year before the two swap roles in 2020. Picture: APP/Emma Brasier

“Brett and Adam have a style they want to play and we’ve gone out with that in mind,” Cobb said.

“We’ve got about six key defenders in the squad, we’re really stacked in that area.

“It’s handy because we’ll be looking to start the play from defence.

“We’re probably still looking for a small forward with a bit of pace and a small defender.

“There’s a number of guys who have come out for the first time, which is great, but we’ve still got a number of old heads who have been here before.”

Division one newcomers Brighton have battled to a 2-4 record following promotion but have had five players selected.

They include star midfielder Jay Boyle, recruit Tarquin Brown and Jacob Carger.

Former Fremantle and Norwood utility Alex Forster headlines a quartet of Payneham Norwood Union representatives.

PNU forward Alex Forster has earnt a call up to the state squad. Picture: AAP/ Keryn Stevens

Port District also has four selections, led by the ever consistent Trent Heffernan.

Fellow division one clubs Goodwood Saints, Henley and Rostrevor Old Collegians all have three players picked.

Toby Schulz (St Peter’s Old Collegians) and Dylan Schoenmakers (Tea Tree Gully) are the sole selections from their clubs.

Division two sides will also provide a significant number of players, most notably three from PHOS Camden.

Salisbury North’s Jamie Solly and Paul Driemann also find themselves in the squad along with Scotch Old Collegians pair Jy Farrer and Scott Taylor.

Sacred Heart Old Collegians big man Lachlan Button and division two leading goal kicker Tristian Carcuro have also made the initial side.

Kane Nurton (Athelstone) Brayden de Prince (Broadview) and Anthony Skara (Unley Mercedes Jets) round out the squad.

ADELAIDE FOOTY LEAGUE 2019 STATE SQUAD

ATHELSTONE – Kane Nurton

BRIGHTON – Jacob Carger, Samuel Kennedy, Tarquin Brown, Jay Boyle, Brodie Trembath

BROADVIEW – Brayden De Prince

GOODWOOD SAINTS – Jack Carter, Tom Gehling, Tom Carter

HENLEY – Liam Martin, Ned Heath, Nathan Bowles

PAYNEHAM NU – Dylan Auciello, Pierce Seymour, Alex Forster, Brett Ancell

PHOS CAMDEN – Samuel Inglis, Henry Papatolis, Adam Scholz

PORT DISTRICT – Mitchell Gaffney, Nick Hales, Trent Heffernan, Damien Coultard

Port District’s Trent Heffeman marks against St Peter’s Old Collegians on Saturday. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

Dylan Schoenmakers is reigning division one premier Tea Tree Gully’s sole selection. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

PRINCE ALFRED OC – Will Dalwood, Hayden Jolly, Adam Perryman, Jake Pitt, Craig Pitt, Ollie Clark

ROSTREVOR OC – Luke Manuel, Paul Fantasia, Heath Commane

SACRED HEART OC – Lachlan Button, Tristan Carcuro

SALISBURY NORTH – Jamie Solly, Paul Driemann

SCOTCH OC – Jai Farrer, Scott Taylor

ST PETERS OC – Toby Schulz

TEA TREE GULLY – Dylan Schoenmakers

UNLEY MERCEDES – Anthony Skara

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