21 Jul 2014
SA COUNTRY READY FOR WA COUNTRY
By ZAC MILBANK | Twitter @zacmilbank
The South Australian Country team is aiming to emulate last year’s result when it hosts the West Australian Country side at Alberton Oval on Saturday July 26.
Defeating the Sandgropers by 42 points in Perth last season, the Croweaters will look to gain an advantage at the clearances in the 11.15am curtain-raiser for the Port Adelaide v Adelaide SANFL match.
‘’We’re really looking forward to it,’’ said SA Country coach Steve Lubcke, who guided the SA Country side to victory in 2013.
‘’Hopefully we can back up what happened last year, that will be the aim. Last year we certainly won the clearances and we were able to get first use of the ball.
‘’I think that negated some of their (WA’s) strengths and whilst the (wet) weather conditions suited us better last year, we will certainly be worrying more about our own game because you just don’t know what side they will bring across.
‘’We will also back ourselves in to put a lot of defensive pressure on them like we did last year.’’
Leading into the match, Lubcke’s greatest challenge is dealing with a significant change in personnel considering several of last year’s stars are now playing in the SANFL.
Key forwards Yohann Wagner (Central District) and Angus Bruggemann (Port Magpies) were key focal points across the border while Tylah Saunders (Glenelg) was also a strong contributor.
‘’From what we had last year it will be a bit of a changeover as quite a few of the guys are no longer available,’’ said Lubcke, who coached Mallala to the premiership last season.
‘’So we will have a different look in terms of the side but I see that as being a positive as they (WA) won’t know what we’ve got if they’ve got the same coach and similar personnel to last year.
‘’It’s part of the program to get those guys through system and provide them with opportunities at a higher level.
‘’If this sort of game gives them the confidence, or if a recruiting scout spots them, then we have achieved significantly from the program the SA Community Football League has put together.’’
Of this year’s crop, Lubcke is looking forward to watching his new-look forward line function with former SANFL players Zac Fitzgerald (Woodville-West Torrens) and James Lawton (Central/Glenelg) set to hold down key posts.
‘’I’m pretty excited to see how those guys go as that (forward line) was one of our trumps last year,’’ said Lubcke.
‘’We’ve reconstructed our forward line significantly so it will be important for all of them to gel together well.’’
Lubcke paid tribute to former Port Adelaide and Glenelg midfielder Marcus Burdett, who forced his way back into the SA Country team after missing out last year.
‘’He’s certainly done well to get back into the side after his form at the SA Country Championships this year,’’ Lubcke said.
‘’I’m really pleased for Marcus as his experience will really help the others who will be making their debut at this level.’’
Last Modified on 22/07/2014 10:24