Sturt defender Jack Stephens named captain of SANFL side to front WAFL in Perth

Sturt captain Zane Kirkwood has been ruled of the state side due to injury, but another Double Blues star has taken his place as skipper to face the WAFL.

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The SANFL state league side will have a new captain for the interstate clash against the WAFL in Perth on Sunday after Sturt star Zane Kirkwood was ruled out due to injury.

Kirkwood, skipper for the past two state battles and Fos Williams Medallist as the side’s leading performer for three of the past four games, has been battling an ankle problem for the past few weeks.

State team captain Jack Stephens (Sturt), centre, with Matt Rose (South) and Danyle Pearce (Sturt) at Prospect Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

Double Blues teammate Jack Stephens has been honoured with the captaincy with fellow Sturt veteran Danyle Pearce and South Adelaide defender Matt Rose his deputies.

“Jack has had an outstanding career and was the Jack Oatey Medallist as best on ground in the 2016 grand final,” SANFL football operations manager Tom Hurley said.

“He is a strong leader at Sturt and the coaching group feel he will represent the state as a fantastic leader. Matt is a captain at South and has represented the state before and Danyle brings enormous experience to the role.”

Congratulations to @SturtFC Jack Stephens, named West End State Captain. He’s flanked by vice-captains Danyle Pearce @SturtFC & Matt Rose @southadelaidefc 💪 #SAPride https://t.co/FlQ71WJYhM pic.twitter.com/vEPxov7nHW

— SANFL (@SANFL) May 9, 2019

The SANFL released a 26-man squad on Thursday with 23 to travel to Perth. Selectors will then cut another player from the squad for the game at Optus Stadium.

The WAFL named a 27-man squad with the nine-man interchange bench including former Port Adelaide wingman Kane Mitchell.

Last year, the Western Australian team used pace to conquer the SANFL at Adelaide Oval, but coach Josh Carr and his assistants are confident that has been rectified this year with the inclusion of Anthony Wilson, Dom Barry and Pearce.

Dom Barry will inject some extra pace into the SANFL state side. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

“We have got a lot of pace and outside run, while also having strength on the inside,” Hurley said. “There is a lot of speed.

“The forward line is dynamic and from a defence aspect we have got key talls, but a lot of drive and run. In comparison to last year, there is a lot more run and carry on the outside which will be critical at Optus Stadium.”

Hurley described the WA line-up as a high quality team which had proven itself with success in recent years.

“They have not just done well against the SANFL, but also the VFL, and there are a number of quality players who have played together for a long period of time as state representatives,” he said.

“It will be a significant challenge, but we believe we have picked a team which can definitely perform.”

SANFL

F: Menzel, J. Hayes, Hender

HF: Wilson, Beech, Barry

C: J. Noble, Stevens, Pearce

HB: Rose, Stephens, Curran

B: Allmond, Proud, Haines

R: Knoll, Tropiano, Snelling

INT: Petrenko, Hoskin, Sutcliffe, Foote, Smith, Ramsey, Battersby, Hill

WAFL

F: Gault, Sokol, Ugle

HF: Kitchin, Bell, Stewart

C: Schloithe, Deluca, Black

HB: Ramsay, Notte, Kennedy

B: Sinclair, Litherland, Rogers

R: Delahunty, Bolton, Horsley

INT: Bennell, Hamp, Nelson, Lockyer, Dragovich, Mitchell, Pearson, Mountford, Hampson