WA Country Football League announces State SquadTuesday, April 12, 2016 - 2:20 PM

The West Australian Country Football League has announced a preliminary 2016 New Holland State Squad to begin preparations for an AFL curtain-raiser against South Australia Country at Adelaide Oval in July.

The game on Sunday, July 31 will lead into the Adelaide Crows and Essendon AFL game.

WACFL State Coach Craig Walker and selectors have compiled an exciting squad highlighted by a number of former WAFL stars including former Peel Thunder captain Brendon Jones, ex-Falcon Marc Crisp and former Tiger Matt Orzel.

Former South Fremantle utility Paul Mugambwa (photo attached) is another valuable addition to the squad after kicking off his season with an impressive performance for Centrals in the Peel Football League.

Walker said he was pleased to see these and a number of other high quality players from around the State putting their hand up to be involved in this year’s program.

“The coaches and selectors have been really active this year and are keen to take the best possible side to Adelaide,” he said. 

“The opportunity to play on Adelaide Oval will be a once in a lifetime experience for the majority of the group.  The Leagues, Clubs and players have got behind the program so far this year which is a really good sign. 

“We are confident that this year, if a player is keen to attend and in the best 22 country players in the State, they’ll be captured in the program.”

Changes to the squad are expected over the coming months as selectors cast a keen eye over this year’s regular season matches, as well as the Landmark Carnival and other interleague fixtures. 

With all 25 country Leagues kicking off in the coming weeks, there will be plenty of opportunity for more players to be added to The New Holland State Country program, which kicked off in January with a pre-season camp and has since included a pre-season match against the Claremont Football Club.

The remainder of the program will see the squad tackle the WA Amateur Football League Under 23s on Friday May 20, then play the WA State 18s a week later on the May 27 at Fremantle Oval.

The WACFL congratulates the above players for being selected in the program and thanks New Holland for the ongoing support of the WACFL State program.

Photo: Former South Fremantle player Paul Mugambwa is part of the WACFL State Squad.