2026 SA Country Team Announced

22 July 2026

By ALEXANDRA BULL

SANFL has released the South Australian Country team to confront Western Australia Country at Barossa Park, this Saturday, July 25.

To be played at the state-of-the-art AFL-standard venue in Lyndoch from 5:30pm, 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 mainly made up of the players selected in the AAMI Team of the Championships at the 2026 THINK! Road Safety SA Country Championships, which were held in the Barossa.

Originating from Kimba on the Eyre Peninsula, Symonds brings a wealth of experience having coached across all levels and states in his 30-year coaching journey.

Assisting Symonds in the coaching box will be premiership BSR coach Liam Whitwell, Flagstaff Hill champion Samuel Tharaldsen, former Port Adelaide AFL-listed player Johann Wagner, and the 2026 THINK! Road Safety SA Country Championships Coach of the Championships Shawn Gibson.

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

Proudly supported by West End, SA Country will be looking to emulate last year’s success when it defeated WA Country by 32 points in Perth.

“We’re excited to take State Country football to Barossa Park and continue the proud tradition of this interstate rivalry, which has grown in strength since it began in 2011,” SANFL Head of Community Football Shawn Ford said.

“The annual clash is a fantastic showcase of the best regional football talent from South Australia and Western Australia, while providing players with the honour of representing their State in the treasured red guernsey.”

Heaslip heads the list, together with former Sturt junior and Port Adelaide Magpie Troy Parker-Boers, who has been named vice-captain.

Dual Glenelg premiership defender Will Gould, who is now playing at Bute on the Yorke Peninsula, will be one to watch, along with the 2026 THINK! Road Safety SA Country Football Championships Player of the Championships – Tasman Imperial’s Jacob Collins, and Mintaro-Manoora youngster Anders McShane, who was recognised for his stellar championship performance with the Best U21 Player award.

SA boasts a 9-3 head-to-head record 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 Ben Heaslip judged best afield last year.

The match will be streamed live and free on SANFL Now from 5:30pm.