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from tomorrows paper.................

State side looks to new chums for Sydney


John Townsend The West Australian

May 5, 2014, 7:39 am


Subiaco duo George Hampson and Lachlan Delahunty, East Fremantle defenders Tom Howlett and Brock O'Brien and tough West Perth forward Kody Manning are in line for State debuts this month.

The five in-form players are among a group of newcomers being considered to take on the North East Australian Football League team in Sydney.

Coach Bill Monaghan and his match committee - chairman of selectors Ross Parker and assistants Craig Smoker, Aidan Parker and Gavin Brown - have several dilemmas as they prepare to finalise the 30-man squad.

They will not learn the make-up of the NEAFL team, comprising the State leagues from Queensland, NSW, ACT and Northern Territory, until much closer to the game on May 24.

And a lack of consistent attacking options in the WAFL this season makes it difficult to identify likely forwards for the match at Spotless Stadium.

East Perth forward Josh Smith has been hampered by an ankle injury, while the league's leading goal kicker, Swan Districts' Ricky Cary, could be overlooked because of a lack of experience.

South Fremantle spearhead Ben Saunders and Perth captain Paul Bevan may be crucial parts of a Black Swans forward line that will be notable for its flexibility rather than its power.

Monaghan could call on Delahunty and Swans tall Tony Notte to mix roles in attack and on the ball. Returning AFL players Ashton Hams, Bradd Dalziell, Kyal Horsley and Haiden Schloithe will be considered for midfield roles alongside State regulars Craig Wulff, Luke Blackwell and Rory O'Brien.

Monaghan relies on Shane Nelson and Luke Tedesco for much of West Perth's drive and their strong impact over several years may be rewarded with their maiden State selections.

Brown, the East Fremantle back-line coach, is likely to have a wide spread of defensive options given that Sharks Howlett, Brock O'Brien, Andrew Stephen and Steven Dodd are in contention, while Swans veterans Tallan Ames and Justin Simpson have made strong cases for inclusion.

Monaghan has scored a coup by recruiting former Test opener Simon Katich, the victorious Perth Scorchers captain this season, who will mirror his Giants role by becoming the WA runner and player mentor.

Yeah mate - a very interesting initial squad , looks like Bill is going for multi-positional players
Wonder who future additions might be - watch this space I guess !!

Whats the story with Gavin Brown? I know he played colts & possibly magoos for old easts back in the day, how did he make the rise to a coach of the WA state side? Old east boys?

Sounds like its going to be almost a combined West Perth East Freo side with some of the names bandied about..If Tallen Ames and Justin Simpson aren't just about first picked, with Ames as skipper then its a joke of a game and dismissing young Ricky Cary based on inexperience is pathetic! If a guy deserves selection being the leading goalkicker in the comp and most consistent goalkicker to date then the guy deserves to be picked whether he has played 10 games or 100.
But then again it was John Townsend writing this rubbish, say no more..

FMD Swandog....the squad hasn't even been picked yet.....the only state side you would be happy with is the 22 picked for SD every week ......wait till a squad comes out before starting all this whinging and moaning about Cary, Ames, Simpson etc......geez quite surprised you didn't mention Jukes too.....then it would be an EF WA state team

As for Gavin Brown, god knows why he is in there.....perhaps Billy M rates him?...and wanted him on board.....I guess you need some coaching staff from other clubs in on things.....other wise Billy M would be picking all WP fella's he knows and trusts...irrespective of form.....

Who's going to the game?

definitely not Swandog, if Ames isn't captain and the likes of Cary, Simpson and a dozen other SD boys aren't picked......the selectors have to reward players in form......sometimes doesn't happen.....but surely Subi and SD should have up to 4 - 5 players each in the original squad minimum....be interested to see how many WP players do get picked, considering their slow start this year and Billy M obvious belief/trust in them.....

Putting my swans hat on here but still, Faulkner should be in this squad.

Dirty Weekender wrote: Putting my swans hat on here but still, Faulkner should be in this squad.

Yep for sure!!

Inexperience may be an excuse not to be selected in the final 22 but not the squad. What would it hurt to have a kid like Cary and others train with the squad?