2023 SA Country Squad Released

By ZAC MILBANK

Selectors have finalised a 24-player South Australian Country squad to tackle Western Australia Country in Perth on Saturday July 22.

Set to be played at Optus Stadium as a curtain-raiser for the Fremantle v Sydney AFL clash, the highly-anticipated rivalry between the regional Croweaters and Sandgropers was renewed last year after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19.

SA Country, coached by Central District great and former Sturt mentor Rick Macgowan, is largely made up of the players selected in the Team of the Championships at the 2023 Think! Road Safety SA Country Championships in the Barossa.

“We are thrilled to have the great tradition of State Country football continue, 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 opportunity for them to play on the world-class Optus Stadium on an AFL match day.”

Featuring as many as nine players from the victorious Eastern Zone line-up, SA also boasts plenty of players with SANFL experience.

SA will be desperate to maintain its strong record against the Sandgropers, with the Croweaters boasting a 7-2 win-loss record in head-to-head meetings since 2011.

Hosting WA at Adelaide Oval last year, SA recorded a comfortable 27-point win after leading at every change.

The Barry Stringer Medal will be awarded to SA’s best player in the match, with South East’s Matt Willson getting the nod last year.

The match will be live-streamed for free on SANFL Now.