Sheedy to coach West End State Team

By ZAC MILBANK

New West End State coach Jade Sheedy will reward a combination of past reputation and early season form when selecting this year’s squad to tackle the WAFL in May.

Appointed to guide the Croweaters in their defence of the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup, Sheedy – together with Chairman of Selectors Stephen Rowe – will also be mindful of the Sandgropers’ penchant for picking a speedy line-up.

Speaking on SANFL Radio, Sheedy – a past West End State captain – said he was honoured to take on the role as SANFL mentor, having guided Woodville-West Torrens to the 2020 premiership in his first year in charge.

Finer details of the West End State program are still being finalised but Sheedy’s assistants will include North Adelaide coach Jacob Surjan (forward), South Adelaide coach Jarrad Wright (midfield) and Adelaide SANFL assistant Brent Reilly (defence).

To be played at Adelaide Oval, the West End State Game is expected to be played as a curtain-raiser to the Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs AFL clash on Saturday May 15.

After succumbing to the WAFL on home soil in 2018, the West End State Team produced a stunning performance – under the guidance of coach Josh Carr – to topple the Sandgropers by seven points in Perth in 2019.

Including State of Origin, the Nullarbor foes have met on 95 occasions, with WA leading SA by 48 wins to 47. Since 1991, SANFL boasts an 8-6 win-loss  advantage in State League contests against the WAFL.