State squad

[The Sleeping Giant]

Well said G. Lets hope when phil is asked on air why he is tipping WA, he gives an honest reply ie. "because no Gowans are playing" or " because the selectors and coach didn't pick enough Dogs".

If you read through the whole thread you can actually see Big Phil's bottom lip hit the ground.

p.s. Go the Croweaters

[Thiele]

Congrats to Ferguson and Schmidt on making the state side

Have a fanstaic time in Perth who ever is going

[Squawk]

Condrats to Ferguson and Schmidt on making the state side

Have a fanstaic time in Perth who ever is going

Not too late to get there Thiele! Even if you drove! Alllllllllll aboard!

[Thiele]

Condrats to Ferguson and Schmidt on making the state side

Have a fanstaic time in Perth who ever is going

Not too late to get there Thiele! Even if you drove! Alllllllllll aboard!

Sorry but i said i would work on Saturday night

[rod_rooster]

To be honest Central haven't made the last 9 Grand Finals because they have the best players they have done so because they have the best team. I also am surprised Central fans care that they don't have more than one representative. The more players playing means the more that could potentially be injured. I would personally prefer Damon White, Matty Wright, Clinton Alleway and James Allan spend this weekend having a rest rather than playing for a team that isn't North.

[jim5112]

It's hard to believe that SANFL has 22 better players than O'Hara or O'Sullivan. They dominate the matches nearly every week.

Have people got used to seeing Centrals dominate so much that they are not actually noticing who is getting their job done each week?

I wonder if these means the Advertiser team of the Year will have hardly any Centrals players as well and our players won't get many Margarey votes, and will just have to console themselves with another premiership and a JO medal.

I also agree that Cranston and Meiklejohn are the best two eligible ruckmen. Parry was hopeless the day Centrals played South.

[doggies4eva]

I agree with your players Jim but would add McKenzie to the team. After all he won the JO medal in the last big game played in SA! He is very versatile can play in the ruck, forward lines or back and would allow greater flexibility.

[sjt]

To be honest Central haven't made the last 9 Grand Finals because they have the best players they have done so because they have the best team. I also am surprised Central fans care that they don't have more than one representative. The more players playing means the more that could potentially be injured. I would personally prefer Damon White, Matty Wright, Clinton Alleway and James Allan spend this weekend having a rest rather than playing for a team that isn't North.

Agreed Rod. Though, I think O'Sullivan should be in, but from a selfish perspective the less the better so they can have a rest. Having said that I know how passionate (even though their not SA originals) Chris and James are playing state footy, for SA. I dont think Jars, Harty and Greg Williams would have been considered speedsters, but they could find and deliver the footy.

[Pseudo]

To be honest Central haven't made the last 9 Grand Finals because they have the best players they have done so because they have the best team.

I don't exactly disagree... but wouldn't it then be more expedient to simply dress the CDFC league squad up in state guernseys and let them go to work?

Perhaps the SANFL should field two teams each year: The state team (minus CDFC players) and CDFC. At least then we could have a proper knockout contest with the WAFL and VFL.

[whufc]

To be honest Central haven't made the last 9 Grand Finals because they have the best players they have done so because they have the best team. I also am surprised Central fans care that they don't have more than one representative. The more players playing means the more that could potentially be injured. I would personally prefer Damon White, Matty Wright, Clinton Alleway and James Allan spend this weekend having a rest rather than playing for a team that isn't North.

Fair point, but the reason i care about the Dogs guys who deserve to make the team not playing, is because i know how much wearing the state guernsey means to some of these blokes.

After speaking to a player last night who is not playing, he feels there is a definate snub and can guarentee the Dogs will be out to prove a point further. So once the SANFL commences all other teams will be aware the Dogs are out to bite hard.

[Big Phil]

From the WAFL web site yesterday...

Bell to lead State team into battle



Former Fremantle Football Club captain Peter Bell will lead the West Australian Football League’s Carlton Draught State team into battle against South Australia at Medibank Stadium this Saturday.

State coach Scott Watters, who announced Bell as captain at the weekend, said the 286-game AFL veteran was an obvious choice to skipper the side as the most credentialed player in the group.

“It was quite an easy choice really – the way he has been interacting with the players and the respect they have got for him,” said Watters.

“He said he feels really honoured and privileged and is looking forward to the opportunity.”

Former Fremantle teammate and East Perth skipper Luke Webster has been named vice captain of the WAFL State team.

The squad will gather for training at Medibank Stadium tomorrow night (Tuesday, May 19) as preparations are ramped up for the State clash with South Australia at 12.40pm on Saturday.

WA’s State 20s will play the State 18s in a curtain-raiser at 10am, while the State 16s will play a combined WAFL side after the main game at 3.40pm.

[Voice]

To be honest Central haven't made the last 9 Grand Finals because they have the best players they have done so because they have the best team. I also am surprised Central fans care that they don't have more than one representative. The more players playing means the more that could potentially be injured. I would personally prefer Damon White, Matty Wright, Clinton Alleway and James Allan spend this weekend having a rest rather than playing for a team that isn't North.

Fair point, but the reason i care about the Dogs guys who deserve to make the team not playing, is because i know how much wearing the state guernsey means to some of these blokes.

After speaking to a player last night who is not playing, he feels there is a definate snub and can guarentee the Dogs will be out to prove a point further. So once the SANFL commences all other teams will be aware the Dogs are out to bite hard.

Just what we all need, more motivation for Centrals. Good one selectors

[Barto]

There was an article about the game in today's West which I can scan if any one is interested.

Darren Rumble (Subi CHB) has been added to the WA side.

[whufc]

There was an article about the game in today's West which I can scan if any one is interested.

Darren Rumble (Subi CHB) has been added to the WA side.

They must mean business then.

[Big Phil]

There was an article about the game in today's West which I can scan if any one is interested.

Darren Rumble (Subi CHB) has been added to the WA side.

That would be good Barto, any info on the WAFL side to bring over would be good, thanks mate.

[Big Phil]

I KNEW straight away after Saturday night’s game that I wouldn’t be playing for SA this weekend.

The doctor assessed my hand (left index finger) and it just didn’t feel right it was more than a dislocation.

Then I had x-rays on Monday morning which showed a fracture, the specialist put a splint on it and I’ve got to see him again when the swelling goes down.

It’s likely I’ll have surgery and he’ll put a couple of screws in the finger.

I’m looking at a minimum of four weeks, but it could be six weeks on the sidelines and of course I’m disappointed.

It’s disappointing missing footy no matter who you’re playing for, especially in the week leading up to the state game.

It’s also disappointing because I was going to be the only Centrals player in the squad, and I was looking forward to bumping into a few friends over in Perth next weekend.

But that’s footy.

As for selection, it looks like Ryan Williams is coming in to the state side.

I thought Ryan should have been in with or without me playing, he’s super competitive.

The Gowans boys would be disappointed at missing out mainly because they’ve been in good form, so it would have been weird to play
in a game without at least one of them.

State footy all the same is a special occasion.

Where else would you find a handful of Magarey Medals at one time, other than Russell Ebert’s trophy cabinet?

This year’s team could boast Magarey Medallists from 2002 (Jade Sheedy), 2005 (Jeremy Clayton), 2006 (Brett Backwell) and 2007(James Allan). And it could also feature the 2009 Magarey Medallist too?

It is a great initiative by the three state leagues, SANFL, WAFL and VFL to play a tri-series.

Players who can dominate their league matches are able to test themselves against the other states’ best.

It is also an opportunity for players from clubs who don’t regularly play finals to experience that sort of atmosphere.

I know there are many players in the SANFL who hold this event in high regard and do almost anything to get themselves up to play in this game.

For us at Centrals, the coaching staff and players are always keeping the bigger picture in mind.

I am positive Roy (Laird) is a big wrap for us to be selected and to play in the game and always wishes us well in our fortunes.

Roy generally leaves it to the player to decide on their involvement in the concept.

With Ian Callinan and Daniel Havelberg becoming injured in the last few rounds, I know that while they are disappointed they can not be a part of the SANFL/WAFL game, they have in mind being absolutely 100 per cent fit and ready to come back and charge toward finals for our club first and foremost.

You probably wouldn’t think the 2009 squad is that excited if you visited one of our lead up training sessions.

It is so quiet that you can almost hear a pin drop in the stands at AAMI Stadium.

After coach Darel Hart gives an introductory speech to the squad in which he delivers some game plan strategies and always plenty of humour, the squad trains together for a 40-minute skill session.

The standout is the high level of skills on display. Rarely does a kick miss a target or a mark dropped. I guess that’s a huge reason as to why these players have been assembled together they have the tools to play the game at a high level.

It’s just not silky skills that will get you selected in the state team.

Darel chooses a team made of not just the best players in the SANFL but the best players who can play as a team.

He has total control over who plays and who doesn’t, if he thinks you are all about yourself, generally he won’t pick you.

This has proven very successful for the representative team in past years with wins over Victoria in 2005 and 2008 and the WAFL in 2006.

This also flows on from the success of the 2003 side that travelled west to play the WAFL in Fremantle under Alastair Clarkson.

So with selection upon us, hopefully the trend continues and the boys return home knowing SA is the premier state league in the country.

[westozfalcon]

The expected weather for Saturday in Perth is 17 C with showers but with lengthy fine periods.

I'll be there for the match and I hope the rain stays away so we can get a good crowd in. I notice it is an early start i.e. 12.40pm..probably to encourage people who are going to the Eagles v Collingwood game at 5.40pm to take in this game first. Subi Oval is within walking distance of Medibank Stadium.

After our 2007 debacle against Victoria us Sandgropers desperately need to be regain some respect at State level. Our 70-odd point win against Queensland last year is not enough to do that. We have to take it right up to the Croweaters!!

Carn the Black Ducks!!!!!

[Barto]

Click for biggness

[Barto]

The SA team leave Adelaide at 11:25am on Friday (Flight QF 587) and arrive in Perth around 1:30pm.

There's a training session at Leederville Oval at 3:15pm. I'm guessing it will be more a rub down sesh and a light run to get the kinks out from the flight.

[Big Phil]

Went along to the State sides last training session tonight before flying out on Friday morning for Perth.

The side had a short sharp and shiny 45 minute session before heading in for a gurnsey dinner and presentation.

As expected, Jade Sheedy will lead the side as captain, as he did last year and of course with as he does for the Double Blues side...

Also somewhat expected, North Adelaide skipper and Western Australian native, Damon White was announced as the Vice Captain of the side...

Former Centrals and North player, reserves Magarey Medalist and current right hand man at North, Justin Casserly will head over as runner for the side.