New Holland WA State Country Football Team AnnouncedMonday, July 17, 2023 - 3:35 PM

We are less than a week away from New Holland WA State Country Men’s Team hosting South Australia in the State Country Football Cup at Optus Stadium on Saturday July 22.

WA are out to snatch back the Cup they lost last year in Adelaide and New Holland WA State Country Coach Kane Benson has selected experienced players to captain the side.

Daniel Acres (Kalannie FC) has been named captain with Tomas Gorter (South Bunbury FC) named Vice Captains.

Benson said off-field support was a key decision maker when selecting his leadership team, noting each player needed to relate to the different age groups playing in the side.
“They have all played state football previously and have shown amazing leadership in previous games,” Benson said.

“The leadership team are outstanding players across the the different lines on the footy field.

“All three will help make changes on the run if needed, and more importantly they will give 100 per cent at every contest which will attract the other players to follow.”
WA has named their 23-man side and Benson has chosen a mixed squad of new and experienced players.

Along with Acres and Gorter, Kim Schofield (Brigades), Luke Bairstow (Lake Grace/Pingrup), Simon Panizza (Williams), Zac Trigwell (Donnybrook), Bailey Taylor (Boulder City), Jake Nuich (Boulder City) and Guy Langdon (Dampier) return to represent WA.

“We’ve chosen broadly across the leagues with the inclusion of some new players along with half who are backing up from last year,” Benson said.

New to the team in 2023 is Rhys Waters (Jurien Bay) who was impressive in last weekend’s Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Championships, winning the Division 2 Fairest and Best Bud Byfield Medal, while former Hawthorn player Kade Stewart (Katanning) joins WA.

Kaidyn Fullgrabe returns after a stellar performance from last weekend’s Championships having taken out the Division 1 Fairest and Best Jock Coleman Medal, while Trigwell was named Rising Star. 

The State Country Football Cup will feature as a curtain raiser to Fremantle v Sydney on Saturday, with bouncedown at 2.50pm and is live-streamed on Streamer here.

New Holland WA State Country Football Team