27 Jul 2016
SA STRIVES FOR FOUR IN A ROW
Congratulations to Central Eyre player Zac Fitzgerald, who has been selected in the final side to play Western Australia Country this Sunday at Adelaide Oval. This is the peak level of country football, and is well deserved after a wonderful season at club, association and zone levels. Zac returned home to Central Eyre this year with brother Tasman. Both have spent time with the Woodville West Torrens FC in the SANFL and then a couple of years in the Mid North.
Also congratulations to Ian (Nippa) Harrowfield from the Mid West umpire panel who will be officiating the match. Ian has earned this appointment with excellent performances at Mortlock Shield and State Country Championships this year, also after many years on umpires panels in Mid West, Eastern Eyre and Great Flinders. Ian is a well respected past player and umpires with many years of experience.
Mid West wishes Zac and Nippa all the best with this honour.
Unfortunately Jay Williams from Elliston needed to withdraw from the squad following his significant injury against the Hawks on 16 July 2016. Jay had represented SA Country earlier in the year in the annual Country v City MAC Cup.
Other Eyre Peninsula players are Xavier Watson (United Yeelana) and Jesse Kemp (Kimba Districts). Former EP boys include Myles Warmington and Brian Fenton both originating from Far West FL.
Casey Carr (United Yeelana) was forced to withdraw following a hamstring strain.
Media release from SANFL and the full team-:
By ZAC MILBANK | Twitter @zacmilbank
South Australia’s Country team will be aiming to win its fourth match in succession against its Western Australian counterparts at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Having won their past three matches in succession under coach Steve Lubcke, the Croweaters have had the better of their rivals twice on foreign soil, including last year’s 82-point thrashing in Mandurah.
Selecting players from the 2016 SA Country Championships which were held earlier this month in Port Lincoln, SA will look to prevent the speedy Sandgropers from finding space at the sizeable AFL venue.
Speaking on SANFL Radio, Lubcke said SA would look to gain an advantage on the inside of the contest while trying to counter WA’s pace.
South Australia will be captained by Meningie playing coach Brian Fenton, who won the Don McSweeny Medal as the best player at the Country Championships.
Fenton, who spent three seasons with North Adelaide in the SANFL, successfully guided Murray South East to its second crown at Port Lincoln.
Notable players for SA include former Roosters captain Todd Miles, together with former Roosters midfielders the Coombe brothers – Campbell and Will.
Seasoned State Country players Nigel Osborn, Simon Berkefeld and Xavier Watson will also provide plenty of leadership after contributing strongly in the current winning streak.
Former Port Magpie Casey Carr has been withdrawn from the squad due to a hamstring strain, paving the way for Murray Middleton (Barmera Monash) to don the cherished red jumper.
‘’We are very lucky,’’ Lubcke said.
‘’The people who put their hand up for this competition want to play for their State. We’ve got some quality players to pick from as you next that experience coupled with some youth.’’
The match, to be played as the curtain-raiser to the Adelaide v Essendon AFL clash, will kick off at 1.20pm.
2016 SA COUNTRY TEAM
1. Michael Shearer Flagstaff Hill
2. Heath Caldwell Bordertown
3. Joel Palmer Kadina
4. Campbell Coombe Crystal Brook
5. Brett O’Neil South Gambier
6. Nigel Osborn Mallala
7. Matt Willson Penola
8. William Coombe Crystal Brook
9. Brian Fenton (c) Meningie
10. Marc Elliott Strathalbyn
11. Xavier Watson United Yeelanna
12. Myles Warmington Meningie
13. Will Rivers Brighton
14. Murray Middleton Barmera Monash
15. Brad Mercer Gawler Central
16. Todd Miles Barossa Districts
17. Simon Berkefeld Penola
18. Callum Hay Southern Saints
19. Zac Fitzgerald Central Eyre
20. Sam Pfeiffer Ramblers
21. Jesse Kemp Kimba
23. Peter Nelson Meningie
Last Modified on 29/07/2016 10:26