South Australia set to shine at AFL Open

By ZAC MILBANK

South Australia’s Wheelchair and Inclusion teams are set to wear the cherished red guernsey with pride at the inaugural Toyota AFL Open championship starting in Brisbane on Friday.

The AFL Open will see as many as 300 players, coaches and support staff compete at the South Pine Sports Complex in Brisbane to claim the national Wheelchair and Inclusion titles.

It will be the first time these championships have been hosted concurrently at one major tournament, with 90 matches involving 17 teams from each state and territory scheduled over the five-day event.

Nine mixed teams will do battle for the Wheelchair crown, with the Novita SA Wheelchair team to be captained by Grant Leonard and coached by Giang Danh.

Eight men’s sides will compete for the ultimate prize in the Inclusion competition, with the APM SA Inclusion side to be captained by Joshua Weetra and coached by Dave Couzner.

The first two days of the competition will include lightning rounds which will determine who progresses to divisional matches, culminating in the grand finals played on Tuesday November 26.

In a boost for SA fans, the final two days of the carnival can be viewed for free via the AFL’s YouTube channel AFL Play or Kayo Freebies.

1) Emily Paix – Sturt

2) Richard Davis – Norwood

3) Jake Bilsborow – Sturt

4) Grant Leonard – Norwood (Captain)

7) Trevor Jarrett – Woodville-West Torrens

8) Soraj Habib – Woodville-West Torrens

9) Stewart Webster – Central District

10) Rick Leonard – Norwood

Coach: Giang Danh

Team Manager: Nathan Pepper

1) Jesse Goodman – Kenilworth

2) James McBride – Salisbury

3) Matthew Shapley – Goodwood Saints

4) Alex Scott – Athelstone (Vice Captain)

5) Harry Philp – Blackfriars OS

6) Luke Goodman – Goodwood Saints

7) Zac Georg-Dent – Onkaparinga Valley

8) Harrison Mallard – Kenilworth

9) Brad Kinross – Kenilworth

12) Joshua Weetra – Smithfield (Captain)

13) Caleb Rigney – Kenilworth

14) Steven Hall – Salisbury

15) Ethan Hooper – Goodwood Saints

16) Jared Miller – Kenilworth

17) Andrew Doecke – Salisbury

18) Franz Pierson – Goodwood Saints

Coach: David Couzner

Assistant Coach: Annie Falkenberg

Assistant Coach: Chantelle Mitchell

Assistant Coach: Todd O’Connor

Team Manager: Jess Brice

Trainer: Emma Moore