WA Country's New Holland State side went down in a narrow five point defeat to the South Australian Country side. The match was played on Adelaide Oval before the Crows v Demons match in the historic surrounds of the Adelaide Oval.

After going down by 40 points in last years encounter, SA was keen for redemption and the first quarter was tightly contested with the match played at a hectic tempo. SA was wasteful with its chances and WA veteran Rory O'Brien (Pinjarra) used his experience to slot the first two majors for his side to settle the players nerves. Liam McKenna (South Bunbury) and Robert Forrest (Federals) also had solid starts while Alex Moreno (Federals) was solid down back against some dangerous forwards. 

The frantic speed continued in the second quarter and Andrew Haydon (South Mandurah) and Jesse Crighton (Harvey Brunswick Leschenault) got busy and created some vital linkages through the midfield and Full Forward Leigh Kohlmann (South Bunbury) didn't look out of place with some strong marking and accutrate kicking at goals. 

WA Country went goalless in the third quarter as SA kicked 3.5. Cable Beach dynamo CJ Oakley started to get into the match with some dashing runs, but was ruled out of the game with a concussion robbing WA of some line breaking speed. 

13 points down at three quarter time, WA needed a spark and it came from Peel FL pair Eddie Dann (Baldivis) and Brad Holmes (Souh Mandurah).  Dann provided numerous charges through the midfield driving the ball forward off his dangerous left boot while Holmes, who had been quiet in the first three quarters got some good supply and capitalised with some accurate kicking, booting two goals from long range. Lewis Harvey's (Cervantes) goal from wide on the ark gave WA some hope and Matt Outrige (Quairading) was rock solid across half back stopping numerous SA assults. 

After WA regaining the lead in the last quarter, SA was able to spread quickly from WA turnovers and efficiently convert some opportunities with it's overlap run holding on to the lead when it mattered the most.

Guy Langdon (Dampier) showed his versatitlity doing some good things across the ground and Mitch Andrews (Harvey Brunswick Leschenault) rucked manfully all night.

Coach Craig Walker, although dissappointed by the loss was proud of his players efforts "When we look back on the match, I think we'll rue some simple skill errors that cost us momentum at important stages.  SA was really impressive how they capitalised from our errors and that was the difference.  I'm really proud of the squad we put together and how the boys came from all over the state and gelled. I think they represented the state and the 12,000 country players with honour." 

Rory O'Brien (Pinjarra) was awarded the Terry House Medal as WA's Player of the Match.  

Matt Outridge (Quaraiding) was awarded the Player's Player of the Match.

The match concludes the WACFL's Representative Programs for 2018 and can still be viewed by clicking on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJEGwCQs7dU

State selectors will be out watching LEague Finals in the coming weeks in the search of players to bring into the 2019 program which will see WACFL host SA.  

SA COUNTRY  3.4  4.7  7.12  10.12 (72)

WA COUNTRY  2.2  6.2  6.5  10.7 (67)

BEST – SA Country: Berkefeld, Watson, Miles, Hutchesson, Aisea Raikiwasa, Laurie.

WA Country: O’Brien, Outridge, Crichton, Andrews, Haydon, Langdon.

GOALS – SA Country: Shillabeer 2, Gallio, Davis, Rusca, Ellis, Berkefeld, Simounds, Laurie, Kemp.

WA Country: O’Brien 3, Holmes, Kohlmann 2, Crichton, Harvey, Forrest.

BARRY STRINGER MEDAL – Simon Berkefeld (Penola)

TERRY HOUSE MEDAL – Rory O’Brien