Twenty five of the best country football players from across the state departed for Canberra this week to compete in the Landmark Australian Country Football Championships after being named in the final WA state country squad.
After finishing third at the 2008 carnival, WA State Country coach, Rod Williams expects this year’s team to perform even better.
“I honestly believe we are a fair way in front of where we were in 2008,” said Mr Williams.
“We know we’re coming up against some mighty good opposition but we’re confident in the side we’ve selected. We’ve added quite a bit of experience with ex-WAFL players and this year’s squad is fast across the ground but also has a much stronger body shape and size.
“When we went to the 2008 carnival I think we were too small and we lacked some key position players but this year players like Troy Ditchburn, Dominic Foster, David McKinlay, Clinton Rudd and Greg Sanders are going to make a big difference to our competitiveness,” said Mr Williams.
Thanks to a new format, the WA team will have the chance to play each of the six teams from NSW, SA, ACT, QLD, Victoria Major and Victoria Districts. All teams will play six games over the first two days (Thursday 22nd July and Fri 23rd July) with each game consisting of two, 17 and a half minute halves - making for some fast and frantic football.
Rod Williams says the concept is quite interesting and has been the topic of a number of discussions in the lead up to the event.
“It’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds,” said Mr Williams.
“Having an extra game each day will be a tough ask but the new format also means that it doesn’t matter who you play first and last, you’ve got to be able to beat everyone.”
“ACT have been the side to beat at the two championships I’ve been to but in saying that the Victorians always give you pretty stiff competition and realistically I expect all the teams to be very good,” said Mr Williams.
For many of the players the Landmark Australian Country Football Championships is an opportunity to take their football to a new level and Rod Williams says it’s fantastic for them to be able to pit their skills against the elite in country football.
“Going to the carnival is reward for these players for the effort they put into their football to be good enough to be selected,” said Mr Williams.
“It’s obviously an honour to play for your state no matter what sport you’re in and the players are really excited about the opportunity to compete against the best country footballers in the nation,” said Mr Williams.
The 2010 Landmark Australian Country Football Championships take place in Canberra from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th July.
AMCAP/NEWHOLLAND WA STATE COUNTRY TEAM
Troy Ditchburn (UGSFL), Peter Farrant (UGSFL), Mark Gilhome (UGSFL), David McKinlay (UGSFL), Adam Walsh (UGSFL), Jon Price (UGSFL)
Brent Atwell (Peel), Greg Sanders (Peel), Rowan Arnott (Peel)
Luke Bairstow (OFA)
Liam Carlyon (GNFL), Kris Clarkson (GNFL)
Tom Collins (SWFL), Dominic Foster (SWFL), Daniel Lewis (SWFL), Jarrod Martin (SWFL), Scott Roche (SWFL), Jeff Smith (SWFL)
Simon Duckworth (EDFL), Craig Jasper (EDFL)
Julian Jacobs (GFL), Clinton Rudd (GFL)
Adam Pearce (Mortlock)
Adam Spencer (AFA) and Troy Skilton (AFA)
