2026 West End State Squad announced to face WAFL

By ZAC MILBANK

Strong early-season form is a key theme within the 32-player West End State Squad selected in preparation to confront the WAFL in Perth on Saturday afternoon.

The Croweaters could have as many as 13 debutants when they seek to regain the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup at Sullivan Logistics Stadium in Leederville from 4.40pm SA time.

Coming off a pulsating five-point loss to the Big V last month at Stratarama Stadium in Gather Round, coach Marty Mattner will be eager for his charges to respond to last year’s 30-point loss to the Sandgropers at Adelaide Oval.

Red hot Woodville-West Torrens ball magnet Ted Clohesy and his hard-running teammate Kade Herbert, North Adelaide pair Angus Schumacher and Oliver Francou, together with 2024 Sandover Medallist Nik Rokahr, have been rewarded for their eye-catching touch as they battle for a spot in a new-look midfield unit.

Former Crow Patrick Parnell and Bulldog Josh Fahey both provide AFL experience and plenty of rebound potential off half-back while South livewire Jack Delean is among several Croweaters with WAFL experience including Schumacher, Rokahr, Marty Frederick and Tom Emmett.

Norwood has the most representatives in the West End State Squad with seven, followed by Sturt and the Eagles (five), Central and North (four), South (three), West (two) and Glenelg and Port Adelaide (one).

Captain Liam McBean is unavailable for selection, with vice-captain Tom Lewis a strong candidate to be elevated when the new leadership group is announced this week.

The West End State Squad will be trimmed to 23 players after training at SANFL’s High Performance Centre at West Lakes on Wednesday evening.

The SANFLW State team will kick off an action-packed day in Perth against the WAFLW at 2.10pm SA time, followed by the West End State Team against the WAFL at 4.40pm.

The squad will travel to Perth on Friday before having a final Captain’s Run at Claremont.