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South Australian Country travel across to Perth to play the rural footballers from the West in the fifth annual contest between these two state-country teams, this Saturday evening, July 29 at Fremantle Oval, starting at 5pm local time.
SA Country is led by Luke Duncan, a former Port Adelaide and Woodville West Torrens SANFL league footballer, now based in Penola as the senior coach.
Fellow South East country football legend Adam “Hoggett” Merrett is his assistant.
“The travelling squad has a great blend of experience and outside run,” Duncan confirmed.
“10 of the squad are playing for SA Country for the first time, but at least seven of them have played at a higher level.
“It is fair to say a bulk of the group has SANFL experience.
“I believe our strength will be the capacity for this quickly to gel together and become a cohesive unit.
“Our contested ball and pace are among our strengths; we have a number of guys that are really competitive beasts and there is a good blend of outside run as well.
“There's a good handful of hard nuts which you need at this level to win the ball it stoppages.”
Meningie Bear Brian Fenton is expected to lead this side in style, while he also has a number of lieutenants with plenty of football smarts.
Strathalbyn’s goal kicking ace Ben Simounds and East Gambier high flyer Adam Rumbelow are expected to look after the key forward posts while there are options in ruck including Michael Galley from the Cove Football Club and Jervois big man Adam Gibson.
There are a fleet of midfield options including Xavier Watson, Ben Yeomans, Jake McGrice and Ben McIntyre, along with Jack's, Kelly and Kenny.
Brodie Martin, the 2016 Sturt premiership defender, who played 38 games for the Adelaide Crows and former SA state Under 18 footballer, Campbell Combe from Crystal Brook are other who are expected to excite.
Consistent SA Country performer, currently playing with the Kadina Bloodhounds Joel Palmer, Aisea “Magic” Raikiwasa and West Coast lad David Wright will have significant roles in defence.
SA Country is looking to continue its undefeated run against its WA counterparts.
