West End State team defeated by VFL

By ZAC MILBANK

The VFL displayed tremendous spirit to outlast the West End State Team by 11 points in a highly-entertaining AAMI State Game at Tanunda Recreation Park on Saturday.

Earning their first victory against the SANFL since 2002, the Big V surged when it mattered most late in the final term, booting four of the last five goals of the contest.

As the SANFL strived for its sixth win in succession against its arch-rival, the VFL was much more cleaner with ball in hand and in front of goal.

With running defender Flynn Perez sidelined midway through the second term with hamstring tightness, SANFL appeared to run out of steam late in the contest after failing to put the visitors out of the match.

The hosts booted the opening three goals of the second half to lead by 18 points but the VFL refused to relent as it established a 14-point advantage early in the fourth term.

But SANFL’s twin forwards – captain Liam McBean and Lachie Hosie – kicked the next three goals between them to help their side reclaim the lead 11 minutes into the final quarter.

This only seemed to steel the Vics towards victory though as Frank Johnson Medallist Louis Pinnuck sealed the deal in impressive fashion, booting two of his team’s final four majors.

Winning the inside 50m count 56 to 52 and having more marks and handballs, together with scoring shots, the West End State team was well served by Fos Williams Medallist Corey Lyons, who was tireless in the midfield.

Finishing with 26 disposals and eight marks, Lyons worked well in tandem with Tom Lewis (22 disposals) and Angus Schumacher (21 disposals).

McBean and Hosie each booted 5.2 for the Croweaters from 11 marks between them as they proved a constant threat to the Vics inside 50m.

SANFL vice captains Will Coomblas (13 disposals, five marks) and Harrison Wigg (29 disposals, six marks) were also strong contributors, together with the ever reliable Max Proud (16 disposals, 11 marks).

The West End State team will now turn its attention towards retaining the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup against the WAFL at Adelaide Oval in May.

VFL  4.0  8.2  12.6  18.6  (114)

SANFL   2.7  7.8  11.10  15.13 (103)

BEST – VFL: Pinnuck, Crossley, Hooper, Bytel, Woodcock, Brew, Bonner, Declase

SANFL: Lyons, Wigg, McBean, Hosie, Coomblas, Lewis

GOALS – VFL : McLaughlin 4, Heron, Lake, Pinnuck, Woodcock 2, Bytel, Ellison, Hooper, McMahon, Murphy, Tsitas

SANFL: Hosie, McBean 5, Bell, Grace, Hayes, Mackinlay, Rowe

FOS WILLIAMS MEDAL – Corey Lyons

FRANK JOHNSON MEDAL – Louis Pinnuck

CROWD – 2,875 at Tanunda Recreation Park

UMPIRES

Field – Sam Morgan (SANFL), Mitch Scott (SANFL), Joel Clamp (VFL)

Boundary – Jake Creasey (SANFL), Tobin Dolman (SANFL), Dylan Speck (SANFL), Harrison Bell (VFL)

Goal – Tom Mayo (SANFL), John Varker (VFL)