THE SECOND edition of the SANFLW-WAFLW clash is just two sleeps away with a couple of big announcements for the respective sides. The South Australians have officially selected their final 22 player squad to take on the Sandgropers, while Western Australia has locked in its captain for the upcoming contest.

After playing at Optus Stadium last year, the homeground advantage switches to the Croweaters as they run out at Adelaide Oval as part of the curtain-raiser for the Adelaide-Carlton AFL match on Saturday afternoon. The first bounce is at 12:45pm, with the home side looking to make it two from two against their western neighbours having beaten them by 16 points in last year’s match.

Coach Courtney Cramey is at the helm again and after going down to the VFLW at Alberton Oval in April, her side is looking to bounce back against the WAFLW. The selection committee has opted for more groundlevel pressure for the big clash, as well as heading in a little smaller than the last state match a few weeks ago.

Coming into the side are three fresh faces in explosive utility Aprille Crooks, hardened onballer Julia Clark and the dynamic Ruby Ballard. All three are known for their defensive pressure and fierce attack on both the ball and opponent, which will make the West Australians a little nervous in the front half of the ground.

The South Australian State Team lineup has been locked in as the following:

B: Marie Martino (Glenelg), Tiffany King (South Adelaide)
HB: Sarah Branford (Norwood), Annie Falkenberg (Woodville-West Torrens), Laela Ebert (North Adelaide)
C: Laitiah Huynh (Central District), Christina Leuzzi (Woodville-West Torrens), Emma Kilpatrick (West Adelaide)
HF: Aprille Crooks (North Adelaide), Mel Anderson (South Adelaide), Lauren Breguet (Central District)
F: Katelyn Rosenzweig (Central District), Kiana Lee (Norwood)
R: Leah Cutting (Woodville-West Torrens), Jess Bates (Glenelg), Jade Halfpenny (Norwood)
INT: Soriah Moon (South Adelaide), Ruby Ballard (West Adelaide), Julia Clark (North Adelaide), Zoe Venning (West Adelaide), Sophie Zuill (Woodville-West Torrens), Madison Lane (Central District)

EMG: Zara Walsh (Sturt), Klaudia O’Neill (Woodville-West Torrens)

Meanwhile the West Australian side is still to be fully confirmed ahead of Saturday’s match, though coach Jack Schwarze admitted to the WAFC it was proving a tough challenge to lock in the final 22.

West Australian Female Talent Manager Trent Cooper has taken over the role of Chairman of Selectors – the position Woodville-West Torrens coach Narelle Smith has for the Croweaters – and has aided in narrowing the squad to a smaller group this time around.

One announcement that has been locked in is that Claremont wing Kate Orme will captain the Sandgropers for a second successive campaign. Coming off coaching the Under 16s state side at the National Development Championships, Orme will have an on-field leadership role with her peers.

While the final squad is yet to be locked in, the list that was submitted a fortnight ago featured representatives from all eight clubs, including reigning back-to-back Dhara Kerr Medallist Jayme Harken, The list of ex-AFLW players included Orme, Sasha Goranova, Mackenzie Webb, Sarah Wielstra, Isabella Shannon, Krstel Petrevski, Lisa Steane, Maggie MacLachlan, Paige Sheppard, Emily Bennett, Tahleah Mulder and Jae Flynn.

WAFLW SQUAD AS OF APRIL 14: