THE Amcap/New Holland WA State Country team has had a successful second day at the Landmark Australian Country Football Carnival with two wins and a loss.
The team started the day on a high with a win against Vic Districts 3.6.24 to 3.3.21 and according to WACFL General Manager, Cameron Knapton the WA boys were the better team but almost let the game slip.
“We were all over them but to be honest we kept them in the game with inaccurate kicking,” said Mr Knapton.
WA’s best players for the game were Tom Collins, Luke Bairstow, Kris Clarkson and Adam Walsh.
The second game saw WA come up against Vic Major – a team who had only lost one game and were on top of the carnival ladder. Despite having the same number of scoring shots WA went down 3.4.22 to 7 straight 42 in what was a very competitive game.
Troy Ditchburn, Liam Carlyon and Kris Clarkson featured amongst WA’s best.
The hopes of a top four finish rested on a win in the final game as well as results going WA’s way. The boys played their part beating Queensland 5.3.33 to 4.1.25 – a great effort considering Queensland had earlier accounted for the highly favoured ACT squad – but other results didn’t fall in their favour so the team finished the preliminary rounds in fifth spot.
Best players in the final game of the day were Julian Jacobs, Daniel Lewis – who took another outstanding grab - Troy Ditchburn, Kris Clarkson and Jeff Smith.
Tomorrow is a rest day and on Sunday the WA team play off for the minor places in a round robin format and according to WACFL General Manager, Cameron Knapton it’s important for the team to finish as strongly as possible.
“We really need to play hard and finish fifth because there’s the prospect of more teams being added in 2012 and the carnival reverting to a two division format. We want to make sure we’ll be in the top division to contest the Landmark Cup in two years time,” said Mr Knapton.
When asked about the team’s performance, especially given the high expectations prior to leaving for Canberra, Mr Knapton said he felt the team had still been very competitive.
“Today we were more successful with two wins but realistically we haven’t been far off the mark at this carnival,” said Mr Knapton.
“There have been some surprises with teams who might not have been expected to do well featuring in the top four. The format of six games of two 17 ½ minute halves over two days has certainly suited some teams better than others,” said Mr Knapton.
Vic Major and surprise packet, South Australia will play off for the Landmark Cup on Sunday.
