West End State Team to confront VFL in Gather Round

By ZAC MILBANK

A new-look West End State team will feature a host of debutants when it clashes with the VFL at Stratarama Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

As many as 12 players will don the cherished red guernsey for the first time against the Big V from 2.40pm at Glenelg as part of this weekend’s AFL Gather Round festivities.

Among the fresh faces are AFL-experienced trio Aaron Francis (Norwood), Jed McEntee (Sturt) and Tom Emmett (Sturt) while in-form forwards Tom Scully (West Adelaide) and Max Beattie (Woodville-West Torrens) will also debut under new coach Marty Mattner.

South Adelaide captain Oscar Clavarino and his deputy Ollie Davis get their chance to impress while Central’s Luca Whitelum, Redlegs Cooper Murley and Finn Heard and Sturt pair Sam Conforti and Zac Becker are among the other success stories.

Glenelg premiership hero Liam McBean will again lead the West End State team into battle against the VFL after being cconfirmed as the Croweaters’ captain.

McBean will be joined by Sturt skipper Tom Lewis, as vice-captain, in the two-man leadership group.

Lewis, last year’s Magarey Medallist, will lead a star-studded midfield mix which includes Norwood’s Baynen Lowe, Panther Davis, Bloods ball magnet Kobe Ryan and Bays star Matt Allen.

It is the fourth occasion McBean, who will wear the No.10 guernsey in honour of respected State skipper Chris McDermott, will captain the Croweaters after being appointed for both contests in 2025 and against the WAFL in Perth in 2022.

Among the familiar names in the VFL team are former Glenelg pair James Bell and Luke Parks, former Crow Jackson Hately and former Power defender Riley Bonner.

The West End State team’s encounter against the VFL will be broadcast live and free on 7mate and the SANFL Now streaming platform.

Tickets for the State Game are available at the link below, adults are $15 and concession $10. Free entry for children aged under-18.

STATE GAME UMPIRES

Field: Mitch Scott (SANFL), Harrison Hughes, (SANFL) Samuel Whetton (VFL), Samuel Ferguson (VFL)

Boundary: Jake Creasey (SANFL), Taylor Dorsey (SANFL), James Haskard (SANFL), Mitchell Dorling (VFL), Kaitlin Barr (VFL)

Goal: Brad Hammer (SANFL), Tayla Manning (VFL)