2025 SA Country Team Announced

By ZAC MILBANK

SANFL has released the South Australian Country team to tackle Western Australia Country in Perth this Saturday, July 26.

To be played at Sullivan Logistics Stadium following the WAFL clash between Subiaco and South Fremantle, the men’s State country clash is an annual tradition between the rival regional Croweaters and Sandgropers.

SA Country, coached by former Collingwood AFLW senior coach and 2017 Norwood SANFLW premiership coach Steve Symonds, is largely made up of the players selected in the AAMI Team of the Championships at the 2025 THINK! Road Safety SA Country Championships in Port Pirie.

The team will be led by captain Ben Heaslip, a former South Adelaide midfielder who is now playing with his local club Victor Harbor.

“We are thrilled to be heading across the Nullarbor to continue the great tradition of State Country football in a rivalry which has continued to build since 2011,” SANFL Head of Community Football Shawn Ford said.

“This match is always a great showcase of SA and WA’s best regional players, and a unique and prestigious opportunity for them to wear the treasured red State guernsey with pride.”

Originating from Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula, Symonds brings a wealth of experience having coached across all levels and states in his 29-year coaching journey.

Assisting Symonds in the coaching box will be dual Magarey Medallist Zane Kirkwood, former SA Country defender Sam Tharaldsen and victorious South East mentor Daron McElroy, while last year’s captain, Matt Willson, will be the bench coach.

Featuring six players from the Eastern Zone line-up and five each from victorious South East, and Eyre Peninsula, SA also boasts plenty of players with SANFL experience.

Heaslip heads the list, together with Norwood premiership forward Ben Jarvis – who boasts AFL experience with Geelong – and joint vice-captain Zac Richards, who also played with the Redlegs. Former Sturt junior and Port Adelaide Magpie Troy Parker-Boers will be the team’s other vice-captain.

Athletic forward Phoenix Foster, from Paskeville, will be one to watch after spending last two seasons on Geelong’s AFL list along with the South East zone’s Frazer Bradley, who impressed while winning the Leading Goal Kicker Award at the championships.

Proudly supported by West End, SA Country will be aiming to continue its form against the Sandgropers, with the Croweaters toppling WA by 43 points at Adelaide Oval last year.

SA boasts a 8-3 win-loss record in head-to-head meetings since 2011, with the match postponed for two years during Covid.

The Barry Stringer Medal will be awarded to SA’s best player in the match, with Will Combe judged best afield last year.

The match will be streamed live and free on Streamer.com.au from 7pm (SA time)