West End State Team defeated by WAFL in KIA State Game

The West End State Team has succumbed to the WAFL by 36 points in the 2026 KIA State Game at Sullivan Logistics Oval in Perth. 

Seeking to regain the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup after having their six-game winning streak snapped last year, the Croweaters were jumped in the second term as the hosts took control of the 101st meeting between the Nullarbor Rivals.

Trailing by 11 points at quarter-time, the Croweaters let the game out of their grasp as the Sandgropers piled on 5.3 to 1.1 for the second stanza to open up a commanding 37-point advantage at the main change.

The WAFL led the inside 50 count 26-17 at half-time but it was the Sandgropers use of the ball by foot, particularly through the corridor, which proved pivotal.

Winning the ball at the source with 23 clearances to 11, the WAFL had 29 more kicks than the SANFL as they used the ball more directly en route to cutting the win-loss ledger to 51-50 in SA’s favour.

Conversely, the hosts forced Marty Mattner’s charges wide and into using the ball by hand with 42 more handballs across the opening two terms.

Kicking the opening two goals of the third quarter, the Sandgropers effectively snuffed out any hope of a South Australian comeback when they opened up a match-high 48-point lead in the fifth minute.

Faced with a 45-point deficit at the final change, the visitors restored some respect into the scoreboard by outscoring the Sandgropers 5.2 to 3.5 in the last quarter.

Central District’s Beau Thomas played with plenty of spirit and passion in his West End State Team debut to collect the Fos Williams Medal as SANFL’s best.

The strongly-built left-footer booted three goals from his nine disposals and five marks while also pinch-hitting in the ruck with seven hit outs.

Bulldog teammate Aiden Grace also booted three goals for SANFL while Eagle Ethan Grace was the highest-disposal winner with 27 as he often brought the ball back into play after a behind.

Redleg Aaron Francis had some nice moments in defence, including a contender for Mark of the Day in the first term, before being swung into attack for a goal after half-time.

WAFL’s Callan England was a fitting winner of the Simpson Medal as WA’s best with a match-high 32 disposals, nine clearances and seven marks.

WAFL  4.1  9.4  11.9  14.14 (98)

SANFL   2.2  3.3  4.6  9.8 (62)

BEST – WAFL: England, Bevan, Turner, Mayo, Ameduri, Hinder, Reidy.

SANFL: Thomas, Lowe, E. Grace, A. Grace, Francis.

GOALS – WAFL: Hinder 3, Hunter, Reidy 2, Bevan, Clarke, Davis, Jones, Mainwaring, Mayo, Sears.

SANFL: A. Grace, Thomas 3, Emmett, Francis, Herbert.

SIMPSON MEDAL – Callan England (Claremont)

FOS WILLIAMS MEDAL – Beau Thomas (Central District)

UMPIRES – Field: Lachie Fahey-Gilmour (WAFL), Matthew Adams, (WAFL), Ben Williams (SANFL), Paul Ventura (SANFL)
Boundary: Bailey Foulk, Dane Smith, Zac Reed, Dylan Speck
Goal: Neve Worthy, Tom Oxford Emg Goal: Cadmon Cocliff

At Sullivan Logistics Oval, Perth