Courtney Cramey to coach SANFLW State Team

By ZAC MILBANK

Dual Adelaide AFLW premiership star Courtney Cramey will coach the SANFLW State Team against the WAFLW in Perth on Saturday May 4.

Cramey, who captained the Croweaters in State clashes against NSW/ACT in 2016 and when SA last met WA in 2011, now has a leadership role of another kind for the historic contest to be played at Optus Stadium.

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.

”It’s very exciting to have State footy back,” Cramey said.

”It’s a great opportunity for the girls to pull that famous red jumper on. I’m super excited to see how we all go, it will be a very special occasion.”

Woodville-West Torrens SANFLW coach Narelle Smith, who was SA’s coach in 2016 and 2011, provides outstanding knowledge of the State’s talent in her role as Chair of Selectors.

Port Adelaide AFLW assistant mentor Sam Virgo, an All-Australian with Brisbane in 2017, will be Cramey’s senior assistant coach for the program.

Hostplus SANFLW League coaches Ben Hunt (Central District) and Michael O’Connor (Sturt) round out the balanced coaching group to guide the Croweaters across the Nullarbor.

The contest will provide the ideal platform for mature-age talent to shine, with all players to be at least 18-year-old.

An initial squad of 42 will be chosen to participate in an SA All-Star exhibition match to be played at Prospect Oval on Sunday April 7 as part of Gather Round.

The squad will then be trimmed ahead of training beginning on Tuesday April 23 before tackling the Sandgropers in the curtain-raiser to the West Coast v Essendon AFL match on May 4.