VFL v WAFL – 2017 State Game Preview & Live StatsFriday, May 26, 2017 - 4:53 PM - by Chris Pike

WESTERN Australia have never won a State game in Melbourne giving the WAFL representative team a chance at history against Victoria on Saturday with the VFL looking break a drought of their own.

The 2017 State Game will take place at Port Melbourne's North Port Oval from 12.10pm WST on Saturday.

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It will be telecast live on Channel 7 with the two proud footballing states set to put on a terrific contest with plenty at stake for both sides.

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The WAFL has been on a roll in recent state matches having won four in succession which began with a drought breaking victory over the VFL at Northam in 2013.

That ended a 22-year winless run against the Big V for WA and began a streak that has now included a win in Sydney over the NEAFL and then the last two years' home victories over South Australia at Lathlain Park and Tasmania at Steel Blue Oval.

That's four straight state games for the WAFL with that 2013 victory over Victoria coming with Marc Webb as coach before Bill Monaghan led the win over the NEAFL and Darren Harris was in charge the past two years.

Michael Broadbridge is the man at the helm now with WA on a mission in Melbourne to create history.

Victoria and WA have met on 24 previous occasions in Melbourne and the Big V has won all 24 whether it be interstate matches, State of Origin clashes or representative matches like this Saturday.

That leaves the WAFL with their work cut out particularly considering the last visit to Melbourne back in 2007 led to a 119-point defeat at the hands of the VFL. And it was at the same venue that this Saturday's game will be played at.

However, the VFL haven’t won a state game themselves since defeating Tasmania by 108 points at Blundstone Arena in 2012. The WAFL beat Tasmania by 134 points last year as well.

Since then, Victoria has lost to the WAFL in 2013 and then the SANFL by 22 points in 2014 and 19 points in 2016.

The WAFL team will be captained by Subiaco's Kyal Horsley who will be making his third appearance for WA with his vice-captains being his Lions teammate Clancy Wheeler and East Perth's Kyle Anderson who will be making his debut for WA.

Andrew Strijk and Ryan Cook will both be making their sixth appearances representing the WAFL while Tony Notte will be playing for a fourth time as will Aaron Black.

Ben Saunders, Leigh Kitchin and Shane Nelson will all be playing for the Black Swans for a third time during their careers.

Jye Bolton, Tim Kelly, Haiden Schloithe, Lachlan Delahunty, Kirk Ugle, Kody Manning and Luke Meadows will all be pulling on the black and gold jumper for a second time.

Mitch Andrews, Jack Bradshaw, Jonathon Marsh, Leroy Jetta, Corey Adamson and Jordan Lockyer will all be on debut on Saturday in state matches.

Only six members of the final VFL team have previously played in a state game, with Sam Darley (Richmond), Michael Gibbons (Williamstown), Matt Hanson (Werribee), Jack Hutchins (Casey Demons), Leigh Masters (Williamstown) and Nick Rippon (North Ballarat) those players who have previously represented the competition in the Big V jumper.

Richmond captain Sam Darley has been handed the honour of captaining the Big V team, with his side aiming to end a three game state match losing streak.  He is one of four club captains selected in the final team, along with Jack Hutchins – Casey, Tom Wilson – Northern Blues and Tom Goodwin – Coburg.

Twelve of the 14 VFL clubs are represented in the final team, with only Geelong and Sandringham missing a player selected in the final 23.  Port Melbourne and Williamstown lead the way with four players selected each, followed by Box Hill Hawks with three, and North Ballarat, Casey Demons and Northern Blues with two.

Having struggled at the Port Melbourne venue in 2007, the small ground and unusual dimensions will provide some getting used to for the WAFL players.

However, the WAFL looks to have picked a well-balanced squad that will be led by Andrews in the ruck on his state debut after 125 games between West Perth and Claremont. Delahunty, Wheeler and Notte will all provide him with support.

The midfield will be made up of Bolton, Nelson, Black, Kelly, Horsley, Kitchin and Marsh for the most part.

The back-line will be anchored by Lockyer and Anderson with Ugle to get the job on Victoria's most dangerous small forward. Notte, Strijk, Manning, Meadows and Adamson could all spend time in defence as well.

The forward-line is unfortunately missing the brilliance of Subiaco's Liam Ryan but will be spearheaded by South Fremantle's triple Bernie Naylor Medallist Saunders. He has kicked 10 goals in two state games previously.

Wheeler, Notte and Delahunty will all spend time as targets forward as well while Jetta and Bradshaw will fill the small forward roles.

Cook, Schloithe and Strijk will all likely fill the roles as high half-forwards.

VFL v WAFL
North Port Oval, Port Melbourne
Saturday May 27, 2.10pm
Live on Channel 7 from 2pm

PETER JACKSON VFL
B: 25. C O’Shea, 21. J Hutchins, 18. J Newman
HB: 19. J Kelly, 20. J Ferry, 16. B Bewley
C: 12. E Templeton, 11. M Hanson, 15. S Darley
HF: 6. M Gibbons, 10. L Masters, 3. N Rippon
F: 7. A Hooper, 23. J Lisle, 2. S Switkowski
RUCK: 29. T Goodwin, 22. A Moore, 4. T O’Sullivan
INT: 30. B Murdoch, 28. C Jones, 9. T Wilson, 8. N Jamieson, 14. B Fritsch
EMG: 26. A Boyse, 5. N Hind
 
CARLTON DRAUGHT WAFL
B: 1. K Ugle, 23. K Anderson, 18. C Adamson
HB: 16. J Marsh, 21. J Lockyer, 13. L Meadows
C: 8. T Kelly, 10. K Horsley, 9. R Cook
HF: 15. A Strijk, 17. L Delahunty, 4. H Schloithe
F: 24. B Saunders, 20. C Wheeler, 14. L Jetta
RUCK: 26. M Andrews, 11. J Bolton, 2. S Nelson
INT: 6. L Kitchin, 12. K Manning, 7. J Bradshaw, 27. T Notte, 3. A Black
EMG: 5. W Maginness