SA Country defeat WA Country in the Barossa

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia Country has continued its dominance over Western Australia Country with a hard-fought nine-point win at Barossa Park on Saturday evening.

Both sides signalled their attacking intent in a free-flowing first quarter, the Croweaters earning a two-goal buffer whilst signalling their intent en route to stringing together their third win in succession against the Sandgropers.

Now boasting an ominous 10-3 win-loss record against their Nullarbor rivals since 2011, SA Country was forced into a slogfest after half-time as the visitors rolled up their sleeves in the persistent rain falling under lights in Lyndoch.

WA Country was within a point at the final change but after outscoring the hosts in the third quarter, could only manage five behinds in the fourth quarter as SA Country made the pivotal moments count.

SA Country’s Will Schreiber put a long ball over the top inside 50m which resulted in a goal just two miuntes after three-quarter time.

It put SA Country up by a goal but there was plenty of work to do before giant utility Jakob Thomson took a towering mark on the lead after a high inside 50m entry from Ben Edwards.

Thomson calmly converted his set shot from 30m directly in front to effectively seal the deal for SA Country.

Clever ball use ensured creative midfielder/forward Lachie Thomas was awarded the Barry Stringer Medal as SA Country’s best afield.

Dual Glenelg premiership defender Will Gould, now playing for Bute, was also high among the Croweaters’ best with Jacob Collins.

Collins, Edwards and Jesse Chandler kicked two goals each for the hosts.

SA was impressively led by experienced coach Steve Symonds, who made it three wins from three starts under his guidance after taking the mantle in 2024.

Assisting Symonds in the coaching box was BSR premiership 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.

SA Country  5.1  6.4  7.5   9.6 (60)

WA Country   3.0  4.4  7.4   7.9 (51)

BEST – SA Country: Lachlan Thomas, Will Gould, Jacob Collins, Will Neumann, Troy Blackwell, Troy Parker-Boers.

GOALS – SA Country: Jacob Collins, Jesse Chandler, Ben Edwards 2, Harlee Chandler, Kallis Freer, Jakob Thomson.

Barry Stringer Medal – Lachlan Thomas (Jervois/Eastern)

At Barossa Park, Lyndoch