The New Holland State Country side has claimed revenge on last year’s heartbreaking five-point defeat with a hard fought 11-point win over South Australia at Optus Stadium on Saturday.

The home side lept out of the blocks early with four first quarter goals. Big men Mason Hill and Cameron Symonds were proving a handful up forward whilst Sandover Medallist Rory O’Brien and Mines Rovers Jordan Delbridge both found plenty of the ball.

A 12pt quarter time lead was extended to 27 points at the main break as ruckman Blake Borrett influence around the ground began to tell.

The third term was all South Australia’s as they began to click into gear. A nasty shoulder injury to Federals Nathan Phillips ended his afternoon early. South Australian midfielders Leigh Ryswyk and Scott Merrett began to control the game as they got back to within two-point slate in the term. A goal in the final minute to Hill was WA’s only for the quarter.

The final term started was a gripping contest with neither side able to break the shackles early. A Rory O’Brien snap at the 8minute mark set the wheels in motion for WA and when Hill goals 90 seconds later the black ducks had wrestled back control of the contest.

Two late goals to South Australia closed the margin but time was on WA’s side as they went on to record a 13.5 to 11.8 win.

Hill and Symonds were immovable up forward bagging nine majors between them whilst Ryswyk and full forward Sid Masters each kicked three for South Australia.

Borrett capped a brilliant game in the ruck for WA when awarded with the Terry House Medal as WA’s best afield whilst Merrett was awarded the Barry Stringer Medal as South Australia’s best.

WA        4.1          9.1          10.2        13.5 – 83

SA           2.1          4.4          8.6          11.8 – 74

GOAL KICKERS

WA – M Hill 5, C Symonds 4, B Borrett, J Delbridge, L Jetta, R O’Brien

SA – L Ryswyk 3, S Masters 3, T Irlam 2, W Combe 2, S Merrett

BEST PLAYERS

WA – B Borrett, J Crichton, R O’Brien, L Upton, D Anthony, R Forrest

SA – S Merrett, L Ryswyk, T Miles, S Pfeiffer, W Combe, S Masters

Terry House Medal (WA) – Blake Borrett

Barry Stringer Medal (SA) – Scott Merrett