SANFL state squad turned upside down for clash with WAFL on Saturday

The SANFL state squad has been turned upside down for Saturday’s clash against the WAFL, with 11 changes made to the team that lost to the VFL last month, writes Andrew Capel.

The SANFL state squad has been turned upside down for the interstate clash against the WAFL at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

There are 11 new faces in the 26-man squad following some injury concerns, form and player management decisions.

Added to the 23-player team that lost a thrilling, high-quality encounter to the VFL in the Barossa Valley town of Tanunda last month are Adelaide’s Blake Drury, Central District’s Harry Grant, Mani Liddy and Rhett Montgomerie, North Adelaide’s Frank Szekely, Norwood’s Jack Heard, Port Adelaide’s Jack Watkins, Sturt’s Will Snelling and Casey Voss and Woodville-West Torrens’ Jordan Lukac and former state captain Joseph Sinor.

Sinor and last year’s joint Magarey Medallist Snelling were both unavailable for the clash against the Vics.

Those who have dropped out of the side beaten by the VFL by 11 points are Glenelg’s Cam McGree (omitted) and Max Proud (managed), North’s Angus Schumacher (omitted), Norwood’s Billy Cootee (omitted), Port’s Jez McLennan (calf), Sturt’s Flynn Perez (foot), West Adelaide’s Kobe Ryan (omitted) and Woodville-West Torrens Jack Hayes (knee soreness).

South Australia captain Liam McBean celebrates kicking a goal in the SANFL’s 11-point loss to the VFL in the Barossa Valley last month. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

Back-to-back premier Glenelg has the most players in the squad, which will be cut from 26 to 23 for the game, while the Bulldogs, Double Blues, Eagles and Roosters each have four.

Eight of the 10 SANFL clubs are represented in the squad, with South Adelaide and West Adelaide the only clubs without a player recognised.

Drury, Liddy, Lukac, Montgomerie and Watkins are in line to wear the red SA guernsey for the first time.

Triple Ken Farmer Medallist McBean remains captain of the SA team.

SA selector and SANFL head of talent and football operations Sean Toohey described the new-look squad as being “healthy and in good form’’.

“We haven’t taken any risks with anyone who is carrying a niggle or feeling the pinch from a physical perspective,’’ he said.

“We also have prioritised guys who are playing really well. We have had more time to watch players perform over the first six rounds, given the later nature of the game, so we are really happy with the squad we have picked.’’

The Croweaters, coached by dual Glenelg premiership mentor Darren Reeves, are desperate to bounce back hard from their surprise loss to the VFL in what was a high-standard, epic state contest.

The defeat was SA’s first in seven years.

Sturt’s Tom Lewis lays a strong tackle on Ethan Stanley while representing the SANFL against the VFL in Tanunda last month. Picture: David Mariuz/SANFL

It has won its past five games against the WAFL, where the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup is up for grabs, not losing to the Sandgropers since 2018.

Saturday’s 11.30am clash, which will be played as a curtainraiser to the Port Adelaide versus Geelong AFL game, will be the 100th between South Australia and Western Australia in state football, with the Croweaters leading 51-48.

“Tasting defeat was a bit new to us a few weeks ago but it was an epic contest with 11 lead changes and unfortunately the VFL had their noses in front when the final siren sounded,’’ Toohey said.

“But if we can put out another performance like that this weekend it will hold us in really good stead.

“We will field a form team on our home deck and have a lot to play for, so we can’t wait.’’

The final team of 23 will be announced on Thursday.

The 26-player SA squad is:

Blake Drury (Adelaide), Aiden Grace, Harry Grant, Mani Liddy, Rhett Montgomerie (Central District), Matthew Allen, James Bell, Lachie Hosie, Corey Lyons, Liam McBean, Jonty Scharenberg (Glenelg), Dyson Hilder, Ewan Mackinlay, Frank Szekely, Harrison Wigg (North Adelaide), Jack Heard, Matthew Ling (Norwood), Jack Watkins (Port Adelaide), Will Coomblas, Tom Lewis, Will Snelling, Casey Voss (Sturt), Connor Ballenden, Jordan Lukac, James Rowe, Joseph Sinor (Woodville-West Torrens).

Originally published as SANFL state squad turned upside down for clash with WAFL on Saturday