20 Jul 2015
FRANCIS NAMED SA COUNTRY CAPTAIN
By ZAC MILBANK | Twitter @zacmilbank
Experienced Tasman Football Club player Reece Francis has been named as SA Country’s captain for Saturday’s clash with Western Australia in Mandurah.
Francis, skipper for the side’s win against the Sandgropers at Alberton last year, was also the Croweaters’ vice-captain in 2013.
Speaking on SA Community Football League Radio, Francis said he was honoured to lead the team into battle on the wide expanses of the ground used by WAFL club Peel Thunder.
Francis’ deputy will be defender Zack Hier, who had a strong campaign for Central Zone at the recent SA Country Championships in Port Augusta.
To be coached by Steve Lubcke for the third year in succession, the SA Country team has now been reduced from an initial squad of 32 down to 22-man travelling party, with ruckman Aaron Killian on standby as an emergency.
The final team includes plenty of goalscoring power in the form of Nick Mott, Adam Merrett, Ziggy Vitkunas and Wade Hancock while strong-bodied midfielders Brian Fenton and Campbell Combe will be important around the stoppages.
Hier’s leadership will be invaluable in the backline, together with the return of experienced half-back Tyson Wait, who captained the side in 2013.
FINAL SA COUNTRY TEAM v WA
(Saturday July 25 at Bendigo Bank Stadium, Mandurah from 3.30pm SA time)
1. Jack Kenny
3. Joel Palmer
4. Ben McIntyre
5. Brett O’Neil
6. Rigby Barnes
7. Wade Hancock
8. Nigel James
9. Brian Fenton
10. Campbell Combe
11. Nigel Osborn
12. Myles Warmington
14. Casey Carr
15. Tyson Wait
16. Ziggy Vitkunas
17. Billy Laurie
18. Reece Francis - Captain
19. Jack Carter
20. Scott Hunt
21. Adam Merrett
22. Zack Hier – Vice Captain
24. Nicholas Mott
25. Callum Hay
Emergency - Aaron Killian
Coach – Steve Lubcke
Last Modified on 21/07/2015 22:47