LIVE SCORES: West End State Team for AAMI State Game

By ZAC MILBANK

Glenelg premiership hero Liam McBean will lead the West End State team into battle against the VFL after being chosen as the Croweaters’ captain for Saturday’s AAMI State Game.

McBean, the Bays’ skipper in last year’s thrilling Hostplus SANFL League grand final, will be joined in the three-man leadership group by joint vice-captains Will Coomblas (Sturt) and Harrison Wigg (North Adelaide).

It is the second occasion McBean, who will wear the No.10 guernsey in honour of respected State skipper Chris McDermott, will captain the Croweaters after helping steer them to a four-point victory against the WAFL in Perth in 2022.

As many as eight players will make their debut for the West End State team, which will tackle the Big V from 2.45pm at Tanunda Recreation Park as part of this weekend’s Gather Round festivities.

Three Glenelg players – James Bell, Jonty Scharenberg and Cam McGree – will line-up for the first time with three Roosters – Angus Schumacher, Ewan Mackinlay and Dyson Hilder – while Sturt’s Flynn Perez and West’s Kobe Ryan will also debut.

Former West End State skipper Jack Hayes returns to the side at centre half-forward while Bell, Schumacher and Sturt’s Tom Lewis make up a strongly-built centre square combination with athletic ruck McGree.

Among the familiar names in the VFL team are Magarey Medallist James Tsitas, Bob Quinn Medallist Sam Durdin and former South Adelaide junior Nathan Kreuger.

The AAMI State Game – to be broadcast live on 7mate – will follow the North Melbourne v Gold Coast AFL match at nearby Barossa Park at Lyndoch, providing a footy feast for the Barossa region.

Tickets for the AAMI State Game are available at the link below, adults are $15 and concession $10. Free entry for children aged under-18.

AAMI STATE GAME 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)