The 2016 WA State Country Program concluded last weekend when the New Holland State team went down to South Australia by 36 points at Adelaide Oval.

The program commenced in February with a player’s camp, followed by games against Claremont, the WAAFL U23’s and the State18’s before concluding at the home of South Australian football.

Coach Craig Walker and his group of assistants had a tough task in finalising the final 22 from a well over 60 players who had been involved with the program.

Many of the final 22 spent the majority of last Friday travelling hundreds, and in some cases over a thousand kilometres, to assemble in Perth for a jumper presentation prior to departing for Adelaide on Saturday morning.

A training run on Saturday afternoon on a muddy Thebarton Oval was the first time the team had an opportunity to train as one and a great opportunity for the players to focus on the job at hand, overturning a four game losing streak to their South Australian counterparts.

(Players training in their home club jumpers)

Final preparations on Sunday were highlighted by the chance to have football royalty, Kevin Sheedy, address the playing group.

(AFL Legend Kevin Sheedy and the playing group)

Focus turned quickly to the game and the opportunity to play on arguably one of, if not the best, sporting stadium’s in Australia.

WA jumped out of the blocks early thanks to a goal to South Mandurah’s Brad Holmes. South Australia hit back quickly however and would take a six-point lead into the first change.

A tight tussle ensued in the second quarter with WA making the most of their opportunities to reduce the margin to two points at the main break, and would have been in front had it not been for a South Australian goal after the siren.

The crowd began to swell after the break, as did the South Australian’s dominance around the contest. SA kicked five goals to two for the term to establish a 19 point three quarter time buffer.

Western Australia wouldn’t lie down easily though, kicking four final quarter goals however South Australia had plenty of answers with a couple of late goals ensuring the major would blow out to six goals and extend their winning streak.

South Mandurah’s Brendon Jones was named as the Terry House medallist as WA’s Best on Ground. Joining Jones in the best players were Halls Head’s Jessie Gribble, Mukinbudin’s Caleb Shadbolt and Baldivis speedster Eddie Dann.

Central’s Paul Mugambwa was the pick of the forwards with three majors whilst Scott Worthington, Holmes and Gribble each kicked two goals apiece.

Although the loss is a bitter pill to swallow for all involved there is sense of optimism about what the future of the program will provide with strong desire from all involved to return better in 2017 and put WA Country Football back at the top of the tree.