STATE representative action is back on the menu for a massive footballing rivalry when the WAFLW hosts the SANFLW at Optus Stadium tomorrow. A curtain-raiser for the West Coast-Essendon AFL men’s match, the two sides led by Jack Schwarze and Courtney Cramey respectively are looking to put on a fast, open display in what both coaches hope will be high scoring as well.

DETAILS

WAFLW vs. SANFLW
Saturday, May 4 @ Optus Stadium
WST (Perth): 3:15pm
CST (Adelaide): 4:45pm
EST (Eastern states): 5:15pm

TEAMS

WAFLW: *Possible lineup

B: Eliza Gelmi – Claire Ortlepp
HB: Natasha Entwistle – Molly O’Hehir – Claudia Wright
C: Kate Orme (c) – Zippy Fish – Taylor Ferguson
HF: Emily Bennett – Adele Arnup – Mylee Leitch
F: Imahra Cameron – Anjelique Raison
R: Emmelie Fiedler – Jayme Harken – Emily Bonser
INT: Ash Gomes – Amber Kinnane – Jacinta Valentini – Eva Popovsky – Katherine Bennett – Lauren Quaife

SANFLW:

B: (19) Christina Leuzzi, (18) Sarah Steele-Park
HB: (8) Annie Falkenberg, (14) Tiffany King, (11) Poppy Waterford
C: (2) Laitiah Huynh, (16) Jessica Bates, (6) Alisha Gepp
HF: (5) Sam Franson, (21) Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap, (10) Shelby Smith
F: (1) Tesharna Maher, (30) Katelyn Rosenzweig
R: (32) Soriah Moon, (4) Caitlin Wendland, (25) Hannah Button
INT: (22) Jade Halfpenny, (23) Sophie Zuill, (12) Isobel Kuiper, (9) Zoe Venning, (15) Marie Martino, (3) Tahlita Buethke

KEY PLAYERS

WAFLW:

Jayme Harken (Claremont)

The reigning Dhara Kerr Medallist will be an important cog in the Sandgropers’ midfield group. A natural inside ball-winner, Harken is quick by hand and has an elite endurance base to be able to run with any midfielder on any given day. Expect her to be around the coalface then spread to the outside.

Eliza Gelmi (Swan Districts)

The Swan Districts skipper will be incredibly vital in defence with her experience. Gelmi’s understanding of the game, one-on-one ability and intercepting capacity allows her to lead by example and rebound as well as remain accountable. No doubt will have a big job on the day.

Zippy Fish (East Fremantle)

Hard not to touch on Fish who has explosive speed and will worry the South Australian midfielders with few capable of catching her once she takes off. Will be a point of difference in the West Australian midfield, and no doubt a player Schwarze is glad to be coaching rather than coaching against for a change.

Molly O’Hehir (South Fremantle)

Similar to Fish but 18cm taller, O’Hehir has some ridiculous athletic attributes and is as competitive as they come. She has been earmarked to play off her preferred half-back, but could easily slide up to a wing or go inside. Incredibly versatile and talented with enormous upside.

Imahra Cameron (West Perth)

The former West Coast forward can play inside 50 or midfield, but will be a danger to any South Australian lining up on her. She is so crafty around goals, only needs a split second to do damage, and has the strength to use her body as well as win it at ground level. Could be the one with the most goals for Western Australia.

SANFLW:

Jess Bates (Glenelg)

It is not going out on a limb to say Bates should not be playing this because she should be on an AFLW list. However she is, and the SANFLW ends up benefitting. As consistent as anyone and arguably the best player outside the AFLW, Bates will accumulate the ball with ease and has added some serious offensive flair to her game over the last few years.

Katelyn Rosenzweig (Central District)

Looms as the danger forward for the West Australian defence because of her contested marking ability and powerful kick. She is in some great form this season, has kicked more goals than anyone else in the SANFLW over the years and will prove a nightmare matchup for the WAFLW defenders. Watch for her to work up the ground at times as well.

Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap (South Adelaide)

Since coming off Port Adelaide’s list, Cockatoo-Motlap has been in sizzling form for the Panthers and is another player who will be difficult to matchup on. She is lightning quick, but evasive and strong, and while she might not have the volume of touches others do, she will run-down opponents or seize on opportunities to kick remarkable goals.

Soriah Moon (South Adelaide)

While Bates might be a good shout for best on ground, Moon would be a good backup choice simply because of her ability to dominate around the ground. She will really test the running capacity of the West Australian rucks, and even if the stoppages are close, most talls cannot compete with her around the ground. She knows how to find the ball and work in transition too.

Annie Falkenberg (Woodville-West Torrens)

While Falkenberg’s leadership is evident and is a vice-captain of the SANFLW squad, she is a fantastic player in her own right. She reads the game well, is accountable in defence and competes one-on-one with great strength. Watch for her to intercept on a number of occasions and drive the ball down the ground to begin scoring chains.

WHERE THE GAME CAN BE WON

WAFLW:

+ Homeground advantage
+ Outside speed
+ Versatility
+ Height

The West Australians have the obvious homeground advantage, and have been able to be training outside the venue and be familiar with the rooms, and of course have no travel required to play. On the field, their speed is a little bit more than the South Australians, especially with the likes of Fish and O’Hehir, while having an ultra-versatile group that can roll forward or through the midfield. If the conditions are perfect, they have the additional height on the South Australians as well.

SANFLW:

+ Positionally balanced
+ Mobile single ruck
+ Ridiculous midfield depth
+ Difficult one-on-one players

The South Australians have a stacked side that is perhaps a touch less versatile than the South Australians, but has more balance across the field. The Croweaters have picked a side where it is likely the majority of players will play in their preferred SANFLW position. While smaller, the visitors can take advantage having just the one ruck, particularly when the game opens up. That, along with midfield depth that is jaw-dropping is an element that will test the West Australians, while having a handful of players who pose difficult one-on-one matchups.

WHAT THE COACHES SAID

WAFLW:

“They’re playing on Optus Stadium so they’re going to be nerves, there’s going to be mistakes, so I reckon it’s going to be the team that can settle after that first 10 minutes to be able to open the game up and that’s what we selected. We selected a team that can fight the first part when we need to fight, but as soon as the game opens up, we’re going to be out on the outside, and that’s how we’re going to win.” – Jack Schwarze

>> Schwarze seeks “open flowing exciting” game for WAFLW state match

SANFLW:

“We have no doubt that we have lots of talent and bringing that all together is about how well they all get to know each other across the journey and the program. Travelling to Perth really helps in that regard. I think away trips always bond a group in terms of spending more time together, so we’re all really excited and looking forward to it.” – Courtney Cramey

>> Cramey “excited” and “proud” of SANFLW state squad

PREDICTION

The game shapes up to be a tight contest for the most part, and the danger for the visitors is the speed that Western Australia has, along with the homeground advantage. However the balance of the SANFLW squad is so good that they should be able to cover most matchups, and their inside midfield is just ridiculous. All things considered, in perfect conditions the SANFLW on paper should win, with one of Bates or Moon to potentially win best on ground. If the WAFLW get up, look to either Cameron or Fish.