State side reflects the rise of South Adelaide
IT WASN’T too long ago that South’s Nick Liddle had to learn to play with a totally new side come state games. In 2014 he’s playing with three teammates.
IT WASN’T too long ago that Nick Liddle had to learn to play with a totally new side come state games.
Now in his third appearance for the SANFL, the Panthers gun was the only South Adelaide player in his first appearance for the Croweaters.
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But, in a sign of the resurgence unfolding at Noarlunga this season, Liddle will be joined by three teammates when SA takes on the VFL at Port Melbourne on Saturday.
Ruckman Keegan Brooksby, Magarey Medallist Joel Cross and Ken Farmer Medal leader Brett Eddy have all made the SANFL side, giving South its best representation since 1991.
“It’s nice for the club to have four of us and I think all of those guys deserve it, they’ve all had really good years so far,’’ said midfielder Liddle, who will hope Brooksby’s silver-service in the ruck will continue.
“He (Brooksby) has been the most improved player at our club twice in three years, which just shows the enormous development he’s made. He’s great to play with.”
Brooksby, a late convert to football from basketball, has made staggering development this season and is now arguably the dominant ruckman in the SANFL.
“I’m a little bit surprised to be in the side but it’s a real honour,’’ he said.
“I’ve always wanted to play at the highest level I can and this is going to be a real step up.”
Liddle, Cross and Eddy have all moved to the SANFL from Victoria but Liddle so there would be no question where their loyalties lay this Saturday in what he expected to be a highly contested game on the tight confines of New Port Oval.
“To put on the SANFL jumper and represent the state I live in is a massive honour,’’ Liddle said.
“I never wore the Big V and I guess I’ve made my mark since I came over here, so there’s a lot of pride in playing for SA, for me.”
In a sign of the improving times at Noarlunga, South has two players — Caleb Daniel and Ben Heaslip — in the state under-18s squad and six players in the under-16 squad, a massive increase on recent seasons.
VICTORIA v SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Port Melbourne, Saturday, 12.40pm
VICTORIA
Backs: Mirra, Noonan, Lower
Half-backs: Lockwood, Pleming, Kennedy
Centre: Marcon, Davies, Cain
Half-forwards: Scipione, Haretuku, Rowe
Forwards: Sherlock, Clouston, Featherstone
Ruck: Meese, Pinwill, Cockie
Interchange (from): Valenti, Magin, Jolley, Panozzo, Lock, Anastasio, Tynan
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Backs: Bode, Miles, Thomas
Half-backs: Jarrad, Beard, Summerton
Centre: Beech, Boyd, Ryswyk
Half-forwards: Coad, Eddy, Liddle
Forwards: Callinan, Wundke, Webb
Ruck: Brooksby, Kirkwood, Cross
Interchange (from): Habel, Hansen, McIntyre, Schiller, Shannon