WA goes down in narrow defeatTuesday, July 31, 2018 - 10:36 AM

WA Country's New Holland State side went down in a narrow five-point defeat to the South Australian Country side at Adelaide Oval on Saturday July 28.

WA veteran Rory O'Brien (Pinjarra) used his experience to slot the first two majors for his side to settle the players nerves in the opening term of the interstate clash. Liam McKenna (South Bunbury) and Robert Forrest (Federals) also had solid starts while Alex Moreno (Federals) was dominant in the back against some dangerous forwards. 

Andrew Haydon (South Mandurah) and Jesse Crighton (Harvey Brunswick Leschenault) got busy in the second quarter and created some vital linkages through the midfield. Full-forward Leigh Kohlmann (South Bunbury) didn't look out of place with some strong marking and accurate kicking at goals. 

WA Country was goalless in the third quarter as South Australia added three goals to the scoreboard. 

Peel Football League pair Eddie Dann (Baldivis) and Brad Holmes (South Mandurah) brought a spark to the WA side in the third term. Dann provided numerous charges through the midfield driving the ball forward off his dangerous left boot while Holmes, who had been quiet in the first three quarters got some good supply and capitalised with some accurate kicking, booting two goals from long range.

Lewis Harvey's (Cervantes) goal from wide on the ark gave WA some hope and Matt Outrige (Quairading) was rock solid across half back. 

WA regained the lead in the final quarter thanks to Guy Langdon (Dampier) who showed his versatility doing some good things across the ground along with ruckman Mitch Andrews (Harvey Brunswick Leschenault).

Coach Craig Walker, although disappointed by the loss, said he was proud of his players efforts.

"When we look back on the match, I think we'll rue some simple skill errors that cost us momentum at important stages,” he said.

“South Australia were really impressive with how they capitalised on our errors and that was the difference.

“I'm really proud of the squad we put together and how the boys from all over WA came together as one team. I think they represented the State and the 12,000 country players with honour." 

Rory O'Brien (Pinjarra) was awarded the Terry House Medal as WA's Player of the Match.  

Matt Outridge (Quaraiding) was awarded the Player's Player of the Match.

The match concludes the WACFL's Representative Programs for 2018 and can still be viewed here.

State selectors will be out watching League Finals in the coming weeks in the search of players to bring into the 2019 program.

SA COUNTRY  3.4  4.7  7.12  10.12 (72)

WA COUNTRY  2.2  6.2  6.5  10.7 (67)

BEST
SA Country: Berkefeld, Watson, Miles, Hutchesson, Aisea Raikiwasa, Laurie.
WA Country: O’Brien, Outridge, Crichton, Andrews, Haydon, Langdon.

GOALS
SA Country: Shillabeer 2, Gallio, Davis, Rusca, Ellis, Berkefeld, Simounds, Laurie, Kemp.
WA Country: O’Brien 3, Holmes, Kohlmann 2, Crichton, Harvey, Forrest.

BARRY STRINGER MEDAL – Simon Berkefeld (Penola)
TERRY HOUSE MEDAL – Rory O’Brien