Sam Franson to captain 2024 SANFLW State Team

By ZAC MILBANK

Glenelg captain Sam Franson has been chosen to lead the SANFLW State Team in its historic encounter with the WAFLW in Perth this Saturday.

Versatile utility Franson, the Tigers’ sole skipper this season after sharing duties with Ellie Kellock in 2023, will be joined by fellow SANFLW captains Shelby Smith (Central District) and Annie Falkenberg (Woodville-West Torrens) in the three-player leadership group.

”It’s an honor just to be a part of this squad and now the team and to lead you guys, who are the best in the League, hopefully I will do you all proud,” Franson told her teammates after last night’s announcement at training.

To be coached by Crows AFLW assistant Courtney Cramey, the Croweaters have trimmed their squad from 30 down to the 22 players who will make the trip across the Nullarbor to face the Sandgropers.

Boasting AFLW experienced players such as Hannah Button, Jade Halfpenny and Caitlin Wendland, SA features plenty of star power with Central premiership captain Smith and Glenelg’s 2022 SANFLW Best and Fairest Jessica Bates among those bound for the centre square.

South Adelaide’s Soriah Moon looms as a key player to lead the ruck while her Panthers’ teammate Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap and Redlegs pair Tahlita Buethke and Tesharna Maher will provide plenty of outside run and carry.

Fresh from her game-winning goal for the Bulldogs in Round 8, SANFLW leading goalkicker Katelyn Rosenzweig looms as the Croweaters’ key focal point in attack.

The highly-anticipated clash will be played at Optus Stadium from 4.45pm SA time as a curtain-raiser for the West Coast v Essendon AFL match.

It will be the first time since the Hostplus SANFLW League was established in 2017 that a Women’s State League clash takes place on the domestic stage.

The match can be viewed live and on demand for free on SANFL Now.