TOPIC:

Congratulations to West Perth premiership stars Jay van Berlo, Jordan Jones, Chris Keunen, Kody Manning, Shane Nelson and Laine Rasmussen for all being named in the WAFL squad to face the NEAFL in Sydney on Saturday May 24.

Strange Blacky didnt get a look in this year and Strijk? Striker could be carrying a bit of an injury?

Great for the guys who did get picked though and deserving of a spot

The team will also be coached by West Perth premiership coach Bill Monaghan

The boys are doing a bit of travelling this year.. Game Hopefully on ABC TV?
Not a bad group have been selected in the Initial squad..
Good win to WA last year..

Last years reps - 1

I'm going to be a little controversial here and throw this question out. Is there a serious 'who cares' factor about this game? I know that for the players it is a great honour to be named for your state and all that, but I find it very hard to get excited about a game where WA are playing a team that is a thrown together hotchpotch of several small states and territories. Remember the Allies a few years ago?

Certainly not like playing the Vics and having all those state rivalries come into it. I see it as an unwanted distraction from an exciting WAFL season and I am hoping that none of the Swans players participating get injuries in what I see is a fairly pointless game.

At least Perth,EP and Cla wont have a injury problem Mikeh
I like these games as it give the guys who are performing well a chance to play for their state and get a Jumper. It is , as you say, an honour. They also get to play with their WAFL opponents and must create some bonding and good for WA Footy.

Cant under stand this NEAFL bit...? Why isnt it just NSW?



Full selections for all clubs at

www.wafootball.com.au/news/3071/wafl-state-squad-announced

In part

THE West Australian Football League has announced an initial State Squad for this year’s game against the North East Australian Football League in Sydney on Saturday, May 24.

The game will be played as a curtain raiser to Greater Western Sydney and Richmond AFL game at Spotless Stadium.

WAFL STATE SQUAD

Claremont – Luke Blackwell

East Fremantle – Brad Dalziell, Steven Dodd, Thomas Howlett, Jamie McNamara, Brock O’Brien, Rory O’Brien, Andrew Stephen.

East Perth – Paul Johnson

Perth – Paul Bevan

South Fremantle – Ryan Cook, Ashton Hams, Ben Saunders, Haiden Schloithe

Subiaco – Lachlan Delahunty, Chris Deluca, George Hampson, Chris Phelan, Wayde Twomey

Swan Districts – Tallan Ames, Blaine Boekhorst, Ryan Davis, Tony Notte, Justin Simpson

West Perth – Jay Van Berlo, Jordan Jones, Chris Keunen, Kody Manning, Shane Nelson, Laine Rasmussen

mikeh wrote: I'm going to be a little controversial here and throw this question out. Is there a serious 'who cares' factor about this game? I know that for the players it is a great honour to be named for your state and all that, but I find it very hard to get excited about a game where WA are playing a team that is a thrown together hotchpotch of several small states and territories. Remember the Allies a few years ago?

Certainly not like playing the Vics and having all those state rivalries come into it. I see it as an unwanted distraction from an exciting WAFL season and I am hoping that none of the Swans players participating get injuries in what I see is a fairly pointless game.

I know for a fact that Simmo is stoked to get in the initial squad and is hoping to get a gig come game time, Im sure all the others feel the same

Cardy wrote: Cant under stand this NEAFL bit...? Why isnt it just NSW?

What aren't you understanding Cardy?

NEAFL is the premier combined football league for the ACT, NSW, QLD and NT. It was designed to allow 4 AFL clubs to be able to have reserves sides outside of the VFL, SANFL and WAFL.

Its not about states anymore. Its about building the NEAFL up to the same standard and level as the "second tier" leagues - SANFL and WAFL.

This whole game is a test to see how the AFL's little inter conference league is travelling.

Sounds like a dogs breakfast to run.. I do know a bit about it as when we played a Canberra side (premiers in ACT) a couple of years ago pretty sure they were part of the NEAFL. We won that game but it was only the ACT club not a combination of players from the whole NEAFL. Gee it must be fun picking a side.
Can understand the AFL doing this as ACT and QLD AFL both pretty weak and this would be due to the Rugby League being the main sport in those states.

So where does Tassie come into this setup? Are they stand alone? The Storm certainly did well to beat West Adelaide.. Assume the Tasmanian Storm were not just premiers in Tassie but a combination side (or state side) from Tasmania?

Thanks for that Mike anyway.

Both matches will be live streamed via www.neafl.com.au

There are a few familiar names on the NEAL List

2014 NEAFL SQUAD

AINSLIE:
Aaron Vandenberg, Sean Ellis

QUEANBEYAN:
Kade Klemke, Jarrod Atkinson

EASTLAKE:
Chad Gibson

SYDNEY UNI:
Tim Barton, Jacob Derickx, Will Sierakowski, Matthew O’Dwyer, Ryan Brabazon

HILLS EAGLES:
Michael Risely, Scott Reed, Trent Stubbs

ASPLEY:
Gavin Grose, Eddie Sansbury, Jed Turner, Austin Lucy, Matt Payne

REDLAND:
Blake Grewar, Cleve Hughes, Josh Smith, Andrew Scott, Paul Hunter, Phil Carse, Adrian Williams, Darren Pfeiffer, Luke Scott

SOUTHPORT:
Josh Baxter, Todd Grayson, Wayde Mills, Kallen Geary, Jason Burge, Luke Shreeve, Jake Goldsmith

NORTHERN TERRITORY:
Shannon Rioli, Errin Wasley-Black, Alwyn Davey, Ben Rioli, Chris Dunne, Cameron Ilett, Liam Patrick, Nathan Djerrkura

Cardy wrote: Sounds like a dogs breakfast to run.. I do know a bit about it as when we played a Canberra side (premiers in ACT) a couple of years ago pretty sure they were part of the NEAFL. We won that game but it was only the ACT club not a combination of players from the whole NEAFL. Gee it must be fun picking a side.
Can understand the AFL doing this as ACT and QLD AFL both pretty weak and this would be due to the Rugby League being the main sport in those states.

So where does Tassie come into this setup? Are they stand alone? The Storm certainly did well to beat West Adelaide.. Assume the Tasmanian Storm were not just premiers in Tassie but a combination side (or state side) from Tasmania?

Thanks for that Mike anyway.

Aussie rules has a fairly strong following in Canberra. I believe the reason is because they have had so many good players come through the system during WWII and also the influx of Victorians moving to Canberra during the 1960's for work.

There seems to have been some form of organised Aussie Rules in Canberra throughout it's short history. Sure Rugby League is king, but I reckon there might be just as many AFL stickers on cars as there is NRL stickers around here as the Raiders struggle.

The NEAFL is only 3 or 4 seasons old. The Sydney Swans Reserves used to play in the old ACTAFL because it was a higher level than the Sydney comp.

The AFL simply took charge and created the NEAFL incorporating the Sydney league, ACTAFL, and QFL to better their AFL reserves.

The Western Storm Football Club represent the western side of Launceston and areas surrounded by the Great Western Tiers and entered the Tasmanian state league competition in 2014.[3] The club replaced the South Launceston Football Club at the end of the 2013 season, with the latter exiting the competition due to not pursuing a further license in the Tasmanian State League beyond the season, despite eventually winning the 2013 premiership. Regardless, the Western Storm list is made up of significant numbers of premiership players from South Launceston, with 17 members of the South Launceston side being signed to play for Western Storm.[3] Originally, former Hawthorn AFL player Mitch Thorp was selected as coach of the side, though he resigned prior to the 2014 season to become ­assistant-coach at SANFL club Glenelg. - According to WikiPedia.

Bill talks about the State game and selections etc

WEST Perth premiership coach Bill Monaghan will be conducting a weekly question and answer segment each week during the 2014 WAFL season for the club's website. Here he talks about the selection of the WAFL State squad that will play the NEAFL in Sydney on Saturday May 24.

From the WPFC Site

Bill brings up some good points in regards to the makeup of the team

westperthfc.com.au/latest-news/bill-gets...-monaghan-q-and-a-6/

Didn't the WAFC/AFL want to call the WAFL WAFLAFL a couple of years ago hoping the AFL tag would attract younger football supporters. I thought that wasn't a bad idea but it was shot down. I have had discussions with a friend of mine over this subject who is a very clever football WAFL / AFL analyst and he had very good argument against that idea. The state squad was in the paper early last week and I thought Rodgers from swans was unlucky not to be picked , don't know about Rasmussen.