- May 8, 2001
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Hi Footy fans...
Once again, representative football has come and gone and this time around a cracker of a match was played out. Its been a while since we've seen such a hard-fought, titanic battle between these two states and like four years ago in Melbourne between SA and the Vics, one that will be talked about by the winner for years to come and commiserated at length by the other.
Welcome to this special edition of the weekly Wrap-Up... the 2009 State League Representative match between Western Australia and South Australia.
Its been a long time between drinks for the West Australian Football League. Despite victories against Tasmania and Queensland over the years, wins against the two big scalps of State League football in the tri-state rotational agreement in South Australia and Victoria have eluded them for a while. A huge defeat to the VFL in 2007 and a much more narrow loss to the SANFL in 2006 was WA's story in recent years.
The South Australian National Football League on the other hand, have lost only one match since 1996, which was to the Victorians in 2002. SA hasn't lost to the Sandgropers since 1994 and over the period since '96 have recorded five victories over WA, a win against the ACT and three wins against the VFL. Nowadays, any teams that could beat the SANFL in a representative match would get big time bragging rights at the fact that they beat what is considered the pacesetter of state league football behind the AFL.
This contest would be played out on the wide open spaces of Medibank Stadium in Leederville, the home of the Subiaco Lions and the East Perth Royals football clubs. But poor weather before the match left it in a sodden, slippery condition which would favour neither side. The WAFL team would boast several former AFL champions, such as South Fremantle's Jeff Farmer and Peter Bell, the latter being named captain. The SA side would take Sturt goalkicking champion Brant Chambers, his team-mate and state captain Jade Sheedy and North Adelaide's Damon White, who was voted vice-captain. But the SA side was judged by some as lacking in toughness, given the fact that SA's top side in Central District would have just one representative -- Ryan Williams -- whereas in the last 10 outings there were several. In contrast, WA would have four players from their premier outfit in Subiaco.
The slippery ground condition as mentioned already, would scuttle some of WA's forward forays early in the first quarter, but the wet ball would do SA no favours at the same time. Swan Districts' Lewis Jetta would prove to be a pain early in the piece, he kicked the first goal of the day after Sturt's Brodie Martin gave away a 50 metre penalty despite Jetta looking as if he would play on. Three SA players contesting a loose ball in their 50 would see WA bag another goal minutes later, again Jetta popping up for a his and WA's second goal. Swan District's Darren Rumble would give SA's first score for the day in a behind, then minutes later South Freo's Toby McGrath would go off with the blood rule. The Sturt connection of Craig Evans and Brant Chambers would finally pay off in the 14th minute, as the latter scored SA's first goal. Chambers would bag his second goal four minutes later, with Rumble conceding a second free kick in SA's attacking 50.
Another Chambers goal at the commencement of time on would put SA out to a nine-point lead, but West Perth and former Port Magpie Brent LeCras would bring it back to three points with his goal for WA at the 23 minute mark. Evans would bag a point-blank goal for SA to finish off the first quarter, a nine-point lead for the visitors at quarter-time. WA began the second quarter with a behind, but then up popped Jeff Farmer who drew the gap back to two points with his goal after taking a LeCras pass. They hit the front again after Panther Craig Parry gave away a dubious free in the centre, then Jaymie Graham of Souths found McGrath who landed home a 50 metre bomb. WA would not make the mistake of leaving Chambers to just one man again, denying him possession in the 5th minute by outnumbering him four to one, but instead handing Evans the ball and a goal to put SA back in front by two.
West Adelaide Chris Schmidt stopped a WA score with his tackle on LeCras, a throw charge allowing SA to get out of their defensive zone. A silly move by Peter Bell denied WA yet another chance to snatch the lead after his in-the-back tackle on Damon White, but minutes later would do so through Claremont's Ian Richardson when he took a pass from Jetta and scored in the 12th minute. Falcons captain Jason Salecic extended the lead to 10 points with his stunning snap only 30 seconds later. SA went from being very settled to being overrun at times, a lot of turnovers aiding the Sandgroper cause during this term. There would be no more scores for the rest of the half, WA taking a two-goal lead at the long break.
When play resumed, SA seemed to settle back into the contest. It didn't take long for Brant Chambers to have an impact, he kicked the first goal of the third quarter for the Croweaters within two minutes of the start. The quick hands of WA prevented another score within a minute of the following bounce, but there would be no scores for WA aside for a few behinds which would see SA make their move on the lead. At five minutes, Glenelg defender Luke Panozzo effected a spoil against Farmer in the WA goalsquare, with the ball eventually finding its way to the opposite side and the hands of Damon White who kicked the following goal to tie things up at the sixth minute mark. SA would then go on to take the lead through Norwood's Brett Zorzi, who was by this time wearing a bandage around his head and jaw. His shot was taken from the outside edge of the centre square, bouncing through past White and Rumble. A string of behinds would follow for both sides and at three quarter-time, the Croweaters would be leading by seven points.
The scene was set for a fiery finish, but with Parry and North's James Allan out with injuries sustained earlier on the SA bench would be stretched to its limit. Both sides would be guilty of silly turnovers and fumbled marks, none probably more costly than a kick-in by Glenelg's Brett Backwell that found Subiaco's Shaun Hildebrandt. The ball eventually found Peel Thunder forward Danny Chartres who scored the goal to make it a one-point deficit, then only a minute later LeCras was awarded the free kick that saw them take the lead after a holding of the jumper by Chris Schmidt at the sixth minute mark. Alleway's free kick after the restart would find Sturt's Tristian Gum in the forward pocket, his kick into the goalfront would find White right on the line to kick a goal at point-blank range to square things up again at 63 a piece at nine minutes. Gum had another chance to put the Croweaters ahead, but his kick was too low and was brought down by East Fremantle's Daniel Dalby.
The lead would change again, albeit by a LeCras behind at 10 minutes. Chambers' tackle on Lions' backman Aidan Parker when not in possession would cost SA another shot on goal at the 12th minute mark, then a holding the ball charge near 14 minutes on Alleway again denying opportunities, WA more clever in defence when it would count many times. WA's lead would go out to seven points a minute after that penalty, Richardson's taking his second goal. Backwell restored the one-point deficit with his goal at the 17th minute mark, but LeCras again popped up for his third goal to put the margin back out to seven points shortly after. It was a see-saw contest, another goal to SA through Evans making it a one point ball game once more, but poor judgement in the visitors' kicks into their attacking zone would again cost them another opportunity. Minutes passed without a score, pressure on the body by WA making life really hard for SA. Peter Bell's tackle on Glenelg Tiger Ty Allen got him not only a free kick but a 50m penalty for bad back chat, ABC commentator Ken Judge's disagreement with the initial charge very evident.
The penalty didn't amount to anything at that time, but it was Jetta's powerful boot that made the decisive blow to SA, Brant Chambers' goal at the death would not be enough to deny the Sandgropers. The siren would sound just after the following bounce, sending the home side into raptures and handing Western Australia a much needed victory to the tune of a single point and also the Haydn Bunton Cup. This would square up the all-time ledger between the two states, including the old Origin games, the games are locked at 45 a piece.
All in all an exhilirating contest, unfortunately the crowd numbers were very much down on previous matches against SA and Victoria, only 2200 people turning out to a match that deserved more. Brent LeCras' tireless efforts around the pitch saw him take out the Simpson Medal for WA's best, while captain Jade Sheedy took the Fos Williams Medal as best on ground for SA. So now begins the wait until 2012 when the WA next comes to Adelaide, they will play the Victorians next year in Perth.
FINAL SCORES IN THE 2009 STATE LEAGUE MATCH
Saturday May 23
THE HAYDN BUNTON JUNIOR CUP
Western Australia 12.10 (82)
South Australia 12.9 (81)
2,204 @ Medibank Stadium, Leederville
INJURIES
SANFL -- Parry (shoulder), Allan (hamstring).
Next weekend in your state...
WAFL ROUND 10
Saturday May 30
Peel Thunder vs. Swan Districts; Rushton Park, Mandurah
Monday June 1
West Perth vs. East Perth; Arena Joondalup
Claremont vs. Subiaco; Claremont Oval
East Fremantle vs. South Fremantle; East Fremantle Oval
Perth have the bye.
SANFL ROUND 9
Friday May 29
Norwood vs. Sturt; Coopers Stadium, Norwood - night match
Saturday May 30
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Central District; Woodville Oval
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Alberton Oval
South Adelaide vs. North Adelaide; Hickinbotham Oval, Noarlunga
Glenelg have the bye.
So until next weekend or in three years... see you at the Footy!
Once again, representative football has come and gone and this time around a cracker of a match was played out. Its been a while since we've seen such a hard-fought, titanic battle between these two states and like four years ago in Melbourne between SA and the Vics, one that will be talked about by the winner for years to come and commiserated at length by the other.
Welcome to this special edition of the weekly Wrap-Up... the 2009 State League Representative match between Western Australia and South Australia.
Its been a long time between drinks for the West Australian Football League. Despite victories against Tasmania and Queensland over the years, wins against the two big scalps of State League football in the tri-state rotational agreement in South Australia and Victoria have eluded them for a while. A huge defeat to the VFL in 2007 and a much more narrow loss to the SANFL in 2006 was WA's story in recent years.
The South Australian National Football League on the other hand, have lost only one match since 1996, which was to the Victorians in 2002. SA hasn't lost to the Sandgropers since 1994 and over the period since '96 have recorded five victories over WA, a win against the ACT and three wins against the VFL. Nowadays, any teams that could beat the SANFL in a representative match would get big time bragging rights at the fact that they beat what is considered the pacesetter of state league football behind the AFL.
This contest would be played out on the wide open spaces of Medibank Stadium in Leederville, the home of the Subiaco Lions and the East Perth Royals football clubs. But poor weather before the match left it in a sodden, slippery condition which would favour neither side. The WAFL team would boast several former AFL champions, such as South Fremantle's Jeff Farmer and Peter Bell, the latter being named captain. The SA side would take Sturt goalkicking champion Brant Chambers, his team-mate and state captain Jade Sheedy and North Adelaide's Damon White, who was voted vice-captain. But the SA side was judged by some as lacking in toughness, given the fact that SA's top side in Central District would have just one representative -- Ryan Williams -- whereas in the last 10 outings there were several. In contrast, WA would have four players from their premier outfit in Subiaco.
The slippery ground condition as mentioned already, would scuttle some of WA's forward forays early in the first quarter, but the wet ball would do SA no favours at the same time. Swan Districts' Lewis Jetta would prove to be a pain early in the piece, he kicked the first goal of the day after Sturt's Brodie Martin gave away a 50 metre penalty despite Jetta looking as if he would play on. Three SA players contesting a loose ball in their 50 would see WA bag another goal minutes later, again Jetta popping up for a his and WA's second goal. Swan District's Darren Rumble would give SA's first score for the day in a behind, then minutes later South Freo's Toby McGrath would go off with the blood rule. The Sturt connection of Craig Evans and Brant Chambers would finally pay off in the 14th minute, as the latter scored SA's first goal. Chambers would bag his second goal four minutes later, with Rumble conceding a second free kick in SA's attacking 50.
Another Chambers goal at the commencement of time on would put SA out to a nine-point lead, but West Perth and former Port Magpie Brent LeCras would bring it back to three points with his goal for WA at the 23 minute mark. Evans would bag a point-blank goal for SA to finish off the first quarter, a nine-point lead for the visitors at quarter-time. WA began the second quarter with a behind, but then up popped Jeff Farmer who drew the gap back to two points with his goal after taking a LeCras pass. They hit the front again after Panther Craig Parry gave away a dubious free in the centre, then Jaymie Graham of Souths found McGrath who landed home a 50 metre bomb. WA would not make the mistake of leaving Chambers to just one man again, denying him possession in the 5th minute by outnumbering him four to one, but instead handing Evans the ball and a goal to put SA back in front by two.
West Adelaide Chris Schmidt stopped a WA score with his tackle on LeCras, a throw charge allowing SA to get out of their defensive zone. A silly move by Peter Bell denied WA yet another chance to snatch the lead after his in-the-back tackle on Damon White, but minutes later would do so through Claremont's Ian Richardson when he took a pass from Jetta and scored in the 12th minute. Falcons captain Jason Salecic extended the lead to 10 points with his stunning snap only 30 seconds later. SA went from being very settled to being overrun at times, a lot of turnovers aiding the Sandgroper cause during this term. There would be no more scores for the rest of the half, WA taking a two-goal lead at the long break.
When play resumed, SA seemed to settle back into the contest. It didn't take long for Brant Chambers to have an impact, he kicked the first goal of the third quarter for the Croweaters within two minutes of the start. The quick hands of WA prevented another score within a minute of the following bounce, but there would be no scores for WA aside for a few behinds which would see SA make their move on the lead. At five minutes, Glenelg defender Luke Panozzo effected a spoil against Farmer in the WA goalsquare, with the ball eventually finding its way to the opposite side and the hands of Damon White who kicked the following goal to tie things up at the sixth minute mark. SA would then go on to take the lead through Norwood's Brett Zorzi, who was by this time wearing a bandage around his head and jaw. His shot was taken from the outside edge of the centre square, bouncing through past White and Rumble. A string of behinds would follow for both sides and at three quarter-time, the Croweaters would be leading by seven points.
The scene was set for a fiery finish, but with Parry and North's James Allan out with injuries sustained earlier on the SA bench would be stretched to its limit. Both sides would be guilty of silly turnovers and fumbled marks, none probably more costly than a kick-in by Glenelg's Brett Backwell that found Subiaco's Shaun Hildebrandt. The ball eventually found Peel Thunder forward Danny Chartres who scored the goal to make it a one-point deficit, then only a minute later LeCras was awarded the free kick that saw them take the lead after a holding of the jumper by Chris Schmidt at the sixth minute mark. Alleway's free kick after the restart would find Sturt's Tristian Gum in the forward pocket, his kick into the goalfront would find White right on the line to kick a goal at point-blank range to square things up again at 63 a piece at nine minutes. Gum had another chance to put the Croweaters ahead, but his kick was too low and was brought down by East Fremantle's Daniel Dalby.
The lead would change again, albeit by a LeCras behind at 10 minutes. Chambers' tackle on Lions' backman Aidan Parker when not in possession would cost SA another shot on goal at the 12th minute mark, then a holding the ball charge near 14 minutes on Alleway again denying opportunities, WA more clever in defence when it would count many times. WA's lead would go out to seven points a minute after that penalty, Richardson's taking his second goal. Backwell restored the one-point deficit with his goal at the 17th minute mark, but LeCras again popped up for his third goal to put the margin back out to seven points shortly after. It was a see-saw contest, another goal to SA through Evans making it a one point ball game once more, but poor judgement in the visitors' kicks into their attacking zone would again cost them another opportunity. Minutes passed without a score, pressure on the body by WA making life really hard for SA. Peter Bell's tackle on Glenelg Tiger Ty Allen got him not only a free kick but a 50m penalty for bad back chat, ABC commentator Ken Judge's disagreement with the initial charge very evident.
The penalty didn't amount to anything at that time, but it was Jetta's powerful boot that made the decisive blow to SA, Brant Chambers' goal at the death would not be enough to deny the Sandgropers. The siren would sound just after the following bounce, sending the home side into raptures and handing Western Australia a much needed victory to the tune of a single point and also the Haydn Bunton Cup. This would square up the all-time ledger between the two states, including the old Origin games, the games are locked at 45 a piece.
All in all an exhilirating contest, unfortunately the crowd numbers were very much down on previous matches against SA and Victoria, only 2200 people turning out to a match that deserved more. Brent LeCras' tireless efforts around the pitch saw him take out the Simpson Medal for WA's best, while captain Jade Sheedy took the Fos Williams Medal as best on ground for SA. So now begins the wait until 2012 when the WA next comes to Adelaide, they will play the Victorians next year in Perth.
FINAL SCORES IN THE 2009 STATE LEAGUE MATCH
Saturday May 23
THE HAYDN BUNTON JUNIOR CUP
Western Australia 12.10 (82)
South Australia 12.9 (81)
2,204 @ Medibank Stadium, Leederville
INJURIES
SANFL -- Parry (shoulder), Allan (hamstring).
Next weekend in your state...
WAFL ROUND 10
Saturday May 30
Peel Thunder vs. Swan Districts; Rushton Park, Mandurah
Monday June 1
West Perth vs. East Perth; Arena Joondalup
Claremont vs. Subiaco; Claremont Oval
East Fremantle vs. South Fremantle; East Fremantle Oval
Perth have the bye.
SANFL ROUND 9
Friday May 29
Norwood vs. Sturt; Coopers Stadium, Norwood - night match
Saturday May 30
Woodville-West Torrens vs. Central District; Woodville Oval
Port Adelaide vs. West Adelaide; Alberton Oval
South Adelaide vs. North Adelaide; Hickinbotham Oval, Noarlunga
Glenelg have the bye.
So until next weekend or in three years... see you at the Footy!
