State squad

[Big Phil]

To think that we will get beaten easily because there is no Cranston/Miekeljohn and only one Centrals player is a little bit rich for my liking. It is still a teriffic line up, even if the S.A players dont have 400 premierships each.

I never said it wasn't a good line up LBT, I think it is an excellent side, probably better than last years side that beat the Vics.

From a personal perspective, yes, it is dissapointing there is on only 1 Centrals player but that is not the point I'm making. I'm concenred we are going over there with a ruckman out of form and perhaps a little inexperience facing an WAFL side with plenty of depth and AFL experience.

It's also irrelevant as to how many premiership medals each of the SA players have although with Subiaco's Central like dominance of the WAFL in recent seasons, they'll have a few premiership players in the squad.

[Pseudo]

Here is the final 22 players selected to head over to Perth this weekend to take on the Sandgropers...
[...]
CENTRALS:
Paul Thomas

Where's the rest of 'em?!?!?

Central sits at the top of the table without a loss but the state selectors can only find room for one of 'em in the squad?

WTF?!?

They should get that team to play against Central (minus Paul Thomas, natch). My money would be on the dogs.

edit - make that minus Ryan Williams

[LBT]

Hasn't Thomas been replaced by Ryan Williams due to his injury sustained on Saturday?

[Big Phil]

From the SANFL web site this morning, Paul Thomas has withdrew from the squad due to a finger injury and fellow Dogs team mate Ryan Williams replaces him, heading to Perth as the reigning premiers only representative.

SANFL News
18 May 2009

2009 WEST END STATE TEAM

Ryan Williams*

Brett Backwell

Ty Allen

Luke Panozzo

Daniel Meyer

Brant Chambers

Tristan Gum

Jade Sheedy

Craig Evans

Brodie Martin

Chris Schmidt

Ryan Ferguson

Clint Alleway

James Allan

Matthew Wright

Damon White

Ryan William

Brad Dabrowski

Leigh Treeby

Brett Zorzi

Jeremy Clayton

Corey AhChee

Craig Parry



* Although originally selected for the State Team, Paul Thomas has withdrawn due to injury (a fractured finger). Williams has taken the position in the team.


The State Game will be played against WA at Medibank Stadium (Perth) on Saturday, May 23.

ABC TV will broadcast the match from 2pm.

Local radio station LifeFM will be travelling to Perth to broadcast the match. Its broadcast starts at 1.30pm (SA time).

[Squawk]

I presume the Captain and Vice Captain will be named at the dinner on Wed night?

Sheedy will prob be captain; VC up for grabs?

Interesting that Parry made it when his coach has been under-stating him and is one of the team selectors!

[Squawk]

Oh, and hiow could we not note that Brett Backwell was selected? Cue Dutchy....

[Dutchy]

Treeby?

[G]

Is that Big Phil or Big Sook
I was trying to let you know yesterday that Centrals would have nowhere near the expected representation but we will WIN fairly comfortably.
-Fancy jumping ship because of a lack of Doggies in the line up

Sheedy will be Captain and my tip for Vice is Damon White.

[am Bays]

Allaway, Ah Chee??

[dogs01]

Let me get this straight.
Centrals are the top team in the comp. and have been for a decade but they dont have the best players . Surely to be the best team you would have better players in your side than the rest of the comp., unless they think the coach does everything, then maybe Lairdy should be coaching the state squad instead of Hart.

[Thunderstruck]

My god. What a disgraceful side selected, one representative from BY FAR the best side going around atm is an absolute joke. In previous years the Central selections dominated the team and the whole reason why we won state games was because half the midfield consisted of solid dogs players including the Gowans twins which IMO are absolutely VITAL in any side that wants a mental edge. They may not be the quickest players going around they are amongst the smartest going around. They add hardness around the footy and make other teamates walk taller. No Thomas is unfortunate due to the finger injury but my god the players missing.

Previous state sides have had the likes of:

J.Gowans
C.Gowans
M.Slade
C.O'Sullivan
P.Thomas
D.Schell

Very very experienced state players with hard bodies. That's how we won our state games, we won from a careful blend of strong bodies and quicker midfielders and a few good tall forwards. This current team may be quicker but IMO lacks a lot of experience, body size around the centre square and that BOND that existed between the Centrals blokes. I may sound biased here and a bit of a whinger but I honestly believe we are really picking a much weaker side than we could have. If a full strength Centrals side played that state side they would beat them more often than not. No kid.

The Sturt players selected though are gooduns and looking forward to seeing how they go.

WA side looks good, better than their last one I would think and I wouldn't be surprised if we lost with our team. But I will tip us, still lots of good players in their despite the Centrals losses. SA by 11 points.

[Hazydog]

As previously mentioned, if fully fit there would have been 3 players selected from CDFC in Callinan, Havelberg & Thomas which would have been a fair representation.

Can understand the reasoning behind the non selection of the Gowsas - although interesting that they always seem to get judged as a pair rather than individually. I wonder if they considered selecting one of them or if it was a matter of both or none?

Think O'Sullivan is a bit stiff though. Has the speed the selectors are looking for but also can use it as well as any & is also handy around the goals.

I sense this could be great contest & maybe the start of the rebirth of State footy as called for by the great PH!!

[SnappyTom]

As previously mentioned, if fully fit there would have been 3 players selected from CDFC in Callinan, Havelberg & Thomas which would have been a fair representation.

Can understand the reasoning behind the non selection of the Gowsas - although interesting that they always seem to get judged as a pair rather than individually. I wonder if they considered selecting one of them or if it was a matter of both or none?

Think O'Sullivan is a bit stiff though. Has the speed the selectors are looking for but also can use it as well as any & is also handy around the goals.

I sense this could be great contest & maybe the start of the rebirth of State footy as called for by the great PH!!

Yep, good points. If you thought Sully was stiff* then how about O'Hara!

There's no reason to pick from our team in any case - we just take another bye and move on. Like, we've only won 112 of 141 under Laird, I can see why Hart would be coach and he'd leave all our lads back at home base!

ST...

[am Bays]

I for one would have liked to see more Dogs players in there based on form reasons and the fact that I wouldn't be upset with Gowans x 2, O'hara, O'Sullivan, McKenzie, Williams et al - running around on the vast expanses of Leederville Oval, tackling, pushing over to the contest, falling down, getting abck up again etc etc etc instead of sitting around over here with their feet up....

Hart must a few lazy $$$ on the Dogs doing a three-peat and is protecting his investment....

BTW thats a joke joyce.

[Big Phil]

Is that Big Phil or Big Sook
I was trying to let you know yesterday that Centrals would have nowhere near the expected representation but we will WIN fairly comfortably.
-Fancy jumping ship because of a lack of Doggies in the line up

Sheedy will be Captain and my tip for Vice is Damon White.

Ah G, you never fail to make ignorant and pathetic posts (and of course those 2 stupid that follow EVERY post of yours)

I just voiced my dissapointment in a few Centrals players not making the final side and like others, question the make up of the final 22.

I understand that if fit we would have had Havelberg, Callinan and Thomas as definates but still not convinced leaving the Gowans twins out is a wise move.

I posted an opinion of the outcome of the game based on my knowledge of the sides picked and as for juming ship, I'm actually heading over to Perth to support the boys and be a part of the LifeFM broadcast back to SA.

I think we are underestimating how good this WA line up will be and how serious the WAFL are taking this clash. For example, last few state game preperations have involved 1 or 2 training sessions, this year Scott Watters (WA coach) has had the boys training about 5 or 6 times together before the game.

Oh G, I think you are best sticking to posting your opinions about one of North's super stars in David Clarke...

[Dog_ger]

Your prediction of the scores Big Fella...?

[Dog_ger]

Your prediction of the scores Big Fella...?

Perhaps a Better thread than a Post.

Maybe in Competition Threads...?

[Big Phil]

Your prediction of the scores Big Fella...?

Perhaps a Better thread than a Post.

Maybe in Competition Threads...?

WAFL - 18.11 = 119
SANFL - 12.10 = 82

[G]

Ah Big Phil, cant take a bit of stick champ.
You may consider my post pathetic which I can wear but Im defintely not ignorant.
Of course you're going over to WA to help with Life FM's coverage as its all part of your desperate bid to be a "wannabe" commentator. [yes there they are ]

[Dog_ger]

SA 15.15.105

WA 9.7. 61