The West Australian Country Football League is excited to announce a preliminary 53 man State Squad for the upcoming season.

The New Holland State Country program kicked off in January with a pre-season camp and has since held a pre-season match against the Claremont Football Club in which the side looked extremely professional. The remainder of the program will see the squad tackle the WAAFL Under 23’s on Friday 20 May, with a quick back up against the WA State 18’s on the 27 May at Fremantle Oval.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the program is the opportunity to face South Australia in a curtain raiser at Adelaide Oval (pictured) on Sunday 31 July and WA will be keen to overturn some recent defeats at the hands of the Croweaters.

Country Coach Craig Walker and his selection team have compiled an exciting squad highlighted by a number of former WAFL stars who are this year returning to country footy including former Peel Thunder captain Brendon Jones (pictured), ex Falcon Marc Crisp and former Tiger Matt Orzel.

African born, former South Fremantle utility, Paul Mugambwa (pictured) has kicked his country season off in style with an impressive performance for the Centrals in the Peel Football League and could be another valuable addition to the squad. 

Walker believed being announced in the squad was fantastic recognition for strong performances in the 2015 season and was pleased to see a number of high quality players from around the state putting their hand up to be involved in this year’s program. 

“The coaching and selectors groups have been really active this year and are keen to take the best possible side to Adelaide.  The opportunity to play on Adelaide Oval will be a once in a lifetime experience for the majority of the group.  The Leagues, Clubs and players have got behind the program so far this year which is a good sign.  We are confident that this year, if a player is keen to attend and in the best 22 country players in the state, they’ll be captured in the program.”

The squad is only preliminary with changes expected as selectors take a keen eye to this year’s regular season matches as well as Landmark Carnival and other interleague fixtures.  With all of the states 25 Country Leagues kicking of in the coming weeks, there will no doubt be more good players uncovered when fixtures are underway.

The initial 53 man squad consists of:

The WACFL would like to congratulate the above players for being acknowledged with selection in the program thus far.  We would also like to thank New Holland for the ongoing support of our country program. For more information, please contact Brent Sheridan at bsheridan@wafc.com.au or 9287 5584 

Brendon Jones Image (Simon Santi / WA News)