SFL v NWFL: Bryce Walsh offers verdict ahead of rep clash
As the SFL’s representative team prepares to take to the ground for the first time this year, there is a strong sense of confidence coming from captain Bryce Walsh. See the selected teams for the SFL and NWFL games.
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Onball warrior Bryce Walsh hopes to lead the SFL to victory against the NWFL in enemy territory at Dial Park Penguin on Saturday despite the south missing three of its biggest guns.
Walsh was named captain of an SFL team has says has the quality to compete with a strong North-West Coast representative team.
The SFL will not have state players — Lauderdale pair Sam Siggins and Andrew Phillips, and Clarence’s Josh Green — who are all unavailable.
The team had its final run at Queenborough Oval on Wednesday night and will head off at 7.30am on Saturday for the road trip to Penguin.
“The team that we have been able to put together has got a really good blend of youth and some experienced guys,” Walsh said.
“Some of them are playing their first game of senior representative football, which is exciting, and there are some players who are unavailable for various reasons for this first game.
“The players have blended really well over the past three weeks. It’s always tough when you’ve got guys from everywhere coming together.
“I am confident the side we’ve got is certainly strong enough to get the job done.”
Walsh’s last representative match was Tasmania’s win over Queensland at North Hobart Oval in 2023 on the day Siggins kicked a miracle goal in the dying seconds to get the local lads home in a thriller in front of 7000 fans.
“Any time you are asked to play rep games, let alone be captain a rep side, is a great honour,” Walsh said.
“There are a lot of great footballers and leaders in our league, so to be asked to do the job makes me super-excited and grateful for the opportunity.”
Playing at the recently-refurbished Dial Park holds no fears for the southerners.
“Believe it or not, I have never even been to Penguin,” Walsh said.
“I have driven past it but never stopped there, but I am super-excited to play there and see the new facilities.
“I am excited to come up against some familiar names in the NWFL team that I’ve played with in the Mariners and played against in the TSL.”
The SFL women will be captained by Glenorchy ace Brie Barwick, with North Hobart pair, defender Grace White and onballer Angelica Clarke, as her deputies.
The team is dominated by North Hobart players, with eight Demons, six from Clarence and four from Kingborough and two from Glenorchy making up the team.
SFL MEN’S TEAM
Back: Lachlan Gadomski, Taine Sookee, Josh Arnold
Half Back: Rhys Sutton, Keegan Wylie VC, Max Geappen
Centre: Bryce Walsh C, Daniel Cooney, James Glover
Half Fwd: James Bealey, Campbell Hooker, Tom Ratcliff
Forward: Luke Nicholson, Bryce Alomes, Darcy Gardner
Followers: Fletcher Hooker, Jack Dolliver, Noah Holmes
Interchange: Phil Bellchambers, Cal Kilpatrick, David Monks, Ned Shaw
NWFL MEN’S TEAM
B: F. Kelly, K. Griffths, N. Walters
HB: L. Davies, K. Lee, R. Morrison
C: J. van Essen, B. Devries, E. French
HF: B. Ryan, J. Cameron, Q. Byard
FF: L. Douglas, J. Templeton, D. Smith
Foll: L. Elphinstone, K. Lowe, H. Elmer
INT: O. Kubank, E. Bonde, C. Castles. E. Jackson
SFLW WOMEN’S TEAM
Back: Ella Wagner, Rachel Archer
Half Back: Perri King, Grace White VC, Madi Lamb
Centre: Hailee Baldwin, Angelica Clarke VC, Agnes Sakina
Half Fwd: Heidi Preshaw, Mackenzie Banks, Luca Murgatroyd
Forward: Molly Mitchell, Emily Mifsud
Followers: Steph Smith, Brie Barwick C, Jemma Webster
Interchange: Stacey Schultz, Jacinta Limbrick, Charlotte Barnes, Chelsea Thomas
NWFL WOMEN
B: F. Bryan, J. Revell
HB: J. Whelan, L. Haines, P. Lambie
C: C. Davies, S. Skinner, M. Aylett
HF: D. Dunstone, G. Anderson, T. Parker
FF: E. Saward, S. Saward
Foll: H. Lee, G. Purton, O. Smith
Interchange: K. Witherden, K. Aherne, A.Auton, P. Humphries
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