Zane Kirkwood to lead SANFL against WAFL

STURT captain Zane Kirkwood will once again lead the SANFL side when it takes on the WAFL at Adelaide Oval on Saturday following a player vote. See the final teams here.

• State game aims for greater reach
• Why every footballer should dream of wearing state jumper

STURT’S inspirational captain Zane Kirkwood will lead the SANFL team against the WAFL at Adelaide Oval on Saturday after getting the backing of the players.

Kirkwood, who has led the Double Blues to premiership glory in the past two years, retains the role he had in 2016 when the state league side conquered the VFL at Adelaide Oval and he was named best on ground.

And a player vote has elected Woodville-West Torrens defender Luke Thompson to be Kirkwood’s deputy.

State selectors on Thursday confirmed a 25-man squad with two players still to be trimmed from the side. Teams are allowed five on the bench.

Central District’s Darcy Fort has been named as ruckman, edging out South Adelaide’s Keegan Brooksby for the job. North Adelaide’s Alex Barns has been named in a forward pocket and will support Fort.

“Fort has been the best ruckman in the competition for the past 18 months,” SANFL coach Marty Mattner said. “He has kicked a few goals as well so is able to drift forward.

“I feel we have an advantage in the midfield. They have a lot of midfielders in their team, but no genuine inside players in there. Hopefully we can get first use of the ball.”

South Australian captain Zane Kirkwood collects the Fos Williams Medal in the 2016 game against the VFL. Picture: Tom Huntley

The SANFL line-up contains plenty of debutants at this level, including strong-marking Josh Scott and Jack Hayes in attack and Cameron Shenton, Jack Stephens and Matt Rose in defence.

Tom Keough, the Fos Williams Medallist as SA’s best player in the loss to WA in Perth in 2015, has been named in a more customary defensive role despite playing on the ball for West Adelaide this season.

“Keough is in the side as a defender, but there is the option he can go through the midfield,” Mattner said. “Cam Shenton is a quality player and has played just about every position for Norwood this year. We’d like to play him on the wing, midfield, but he can play other positions through the day.”

The WAFL’s line-up includes a strong influence of former AFL-listed players such as Kane Mitchell, who had four seasons with Port Adelaide, Rhys Palmer and Sharrod Wellingham.

Coached by Michael Broadbridge, the WAFL will travel with 24 players and most of the personnel have not played at Adelaide Oval.

Marlon Motlop at SANFL state team training at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

North’s Robbie Young at SANFL state team training at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

Mattner put his players through a light session at the ground on Thursday night before former Adelaide superstar Tony Modra spoke at the jumper presentation.

Former Norwood champion Garry McIntosh addressed the state team at the first training session.

“The first session was getting to know each other and the coaches as well as a bit of a run together,” Mattner said.

“This week has been about how we want to play. We had a really good session on Tuesday night.

“With the game being the curtain raiser to the Showdown, it is an opportunity for the team to play on Adelaide Oval. Hopefully at the end of the game there will be a large crowd and Port Adelaide and Adelaide fans may be barracking for the same team.”

Roosters captain Max Thring was unavailable for state selection after damaging his hamstring early in the game against Adelaide.

SANFL state team training at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

STATE GAME TEAMS

SANFL

F: Jake Johansen, Josh Scott, Alex Barns

HF: Robbie Young, Jack Hayes, Justin Hoskin

C: Marlon Motlop, Zane Kirkwood, Jarred Allmond

HB: Cameron Shenton, Luke Thompson, Jack Stephens

B: Matt Rose, Fraser Evans, Tom Keough

1R: Darcy Fort, Mitch Grigg, Matt Panos

Int (from): Kaine Stevens, Travis Schiller, Josh Hone, Aidan Riley, Sam Colquhoun, Jonathon Beech, Luke Surman

Coach: Marty Mattner

Former Port Adelaide player Kane Mitchell will represent the WAFL.

WAFL

B: Aaron Heal, Angus Litherland, Luke Meadows

HB: Chris Phelan, Jonathon Marsh, Andrew Strijk

C: Kane Mitchell, Jye Bolton, Aaron Black

HF: Sharrod Wellingham, Tony Notte, Rhys Palmer

F: Rhys Waters, Brad Stevenson, Gerald Ugle

1R Corey Gault, Kyal Horsley, Shane Nelson

Int (from): Lachlan Delahunty, George Hampson, Brock Higgins, Blaine Johnson, Leigh Kitchin, Cody Legget, Ben Sokol.

Coach: Michael Broadbridge