On Saturday the best country footballers from Western Australia and South Australia met at Bendigo Bank Stadium in Mandurah for the annual clash between the two.

After heavy defeats in the past two encounters WA were looking for redemption and with a new coach and some fresh talent in the side things looked promising.

From the first bounce however South Australia made their intentions clear as they won the inside ball and starved WA of possession. They were a well drilled team and it certainly showed as they found open space easy and delivered the ball to their forwards with great accuracy. The first quarter deficit sat at 27 points and the second quarter did not deliver any relief for the WA team. Big South Australian forward Adam Merrett stamped his authority on the game as he put through another 3 for the quarter as the rest of his team dominated all parts of the match and blew the half time margin out to 57 points.

In the second half the WA boys found some rhythm a few times but there good patches were too few and too fair in between as the SA team ran out 82 point winners.

Liam Ryan was due to play colts before the senior state match but with the late withdrawal of Graham Jetta he was thrust into the senior side and the young player from the Great Northern did not disappoint. Playing on the wing he provided excitement for the crowd with some fantastic aerial work and was also a key link in WA moving the ball from off half back. Alex James was WA’s best player on the day as he provided constant effort. Other strong performers were Mark Deaves up forward as he slotted home three tough shots and experienced state players Matthew Giumelli and Jayden Brooks also put in strong matches.

South Australia 19.16 (130) def Western Australia 6.12 (48)

SA Goals - Adam Merrett 6, Wade Hancock 3, Ben McIntyre, Cambell Combe, Myles Worthington 2, Ziggy Vitkunis, Reece Francis, Nicholas Mott, Rigny Barnes 1
SA Best - Jack Kenny, Brett O'Neill, Casey Carr, Zach Heir, Adam Merrett, Nicholas Mott
WA Goals - Mark Deaves 3, Jordan Ugle, Brad Holmes, Hamish Shepheard 1
WA Best - Alex James, Mark Deaves, Jayden Brooks, Liam Ryan, Matthew Giumelli

All Photos shot by Cofo Foto. Find her on Facebook