West End State Team named for 2026 KIA State Game

By ZAC MILBANK

The West End State Team will have eight players make their debut against the WAFL in Saturday’s KIA State Game at Sullivan Logistics Oval in Perth.

The Croweaters have named emerging West Adelaide ruck Caleb May to make his start against the Sandgropers as SANFL aims to regain the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup on foreign soil from 4.40pm (SA time).

Uncapped Croweaters Beau Thomas (Central), Jacob Kennerley (Norwood), Finn Emile-Brennan (South) and Eagles quartet Ethan Grace, Kade Herbert, Ted Cloheasy and Lukas Cooke have also been named in SA’s starting 23 for the 101st meeting between the Nullarbor rivals.

West End State team coach Marty Mattner put his team through its paces on Wednesday night at West Lakes before heading to Perth for a Captain’s Run at Claremont on Friday afternoon.

Magarey Medallist Tom Lewis revealed his honour at being named the new West End State Captain, with Aaron Francis his deputy.

”It means the world,” Lewis said.

”When Marty rang me I was over the moon to say the least, it’s an absolute honour as I look forward to wearing the No.10 with pride.

”SA footy is such big part of country lads’ lives as well as the city boys so you grow up chasing the dream and reaching the highest levels.

”This has been a bucket list item for me for a long time so to get the call up to be captain, I’m super proud.”

The WAFL will be coached by Adam Read and captained by Christian Amerduri with former Norwood junior Stef Giro starting on a wing for the Black Swans.

The KIA State Game will be screened live and free via 7Mate and 7Plus.

KIA State Game – 4.40pm (SA time)
Saturday May 16 at Sullivan Logistics Oval, Perth

WEST END STATE TEAM

F: (8) Josh Hone, (21) Finn Heard, (25) Beau Thomas

HF: (12) Kade Herbert, (17) Tom Emmett, (6) Max Beattie

C: (19) Jacob Kennerley, (10) Tom Lewis (captain), (7) Marty Frederick

HB: (20) Jez McLennan, (18) Aaron Francis (vice captain), (16) Luca Whitelum

B: (4) Cooper Murley, (23) Tom Donnelly, (2) Ethan Grace

R: (27) Caleb May, (13) Baynen Lowe, (3) Ted Clohesy

INT: (15) Aiden Grace, (5) Sam Conforti, (14) Finn Emile-Brennan, (24) Lukas Cooke, (9) Nik Rokahr

EMG: (26) Alex Van Wyk, (11) Jack Delean, (1) Patrick Parnell

DEBUT – Caleb May, Beau Thomas, Jacob Kennerley, Finn Emile-Brennan, Ted Clohesy, Lukas Cooke, Kade Herbert, Ethan Grace

WAFL

F: 16. Jiah Ready, 29. Aaron Clarke, 17. Jack Sears

HF: 3. Zac Mainwaring, 31. Jaiden Hunter, 4. Joey Hinder

C: 2. Stef Giro, 1. Christian Ameduri (captain), 19. Jesse Turner

HB: 8. Jamaine Jones, 26. Chad Pearson, 6. Stan Wright

B: 18. Ethan Hughes, 28. Noah Strom, 10. Zac Guadagnin

R: 33. Scott Jones, 9. Callan England, 20. Lachie Tardrew

INT: 15. Kane Bevan, 12. Galen Savigni, 25. Austin Davis, 23. Kyle Baskerville, 21. Jack Mayo

EMG: 11. Scott Tuia, 14. Ryan Borchet, 24. Corey Watts