Five players to watch for Kia WA State team against SAWednesday, May 14, 2025 - 4:16 PM - by Jordan McArdle

WIth a new-look Kia WA State team selected for Saturday's clash against South Australia, we pick five players to watch for the Black Swans.

Milan Murdock – East Fremantle

The dual Simpson medallist heads into the contest in hot form after a best-on-ground performance against Perth last weekend.

Murdock is a damaging two-way midfielder who loves the big stage, earning best-afield honours in East Fremantle’s 2023 premiership as well as WA’s best in last year’s State game.

The reigning Sharks best-and-fairest winner has amassed 25-plus disposals in each of his six appearances this season, averaging more than 28 touches and seven tackles per game to go with four goals.

2025 averages

Disposals: 28.3

Tackles: 6.8

Inside 50s: 3.7

Michael Sellwood – Peel Thunder

The Peel Thunder young gun is putting together an impressive 2025 campaign to put his name in lights for the upcoming AFL Mid-Season Draft.

Sellwood reads the game so well across half-back and is one of the best intercept-marking defenders in the competition.

The tough 21-year-old, who is averaging 23.7 possessions and 7.5 marks per game this season, made his State debut last year and was an integral part of the Thunder’s 2024 grand final triumph.

2025 averages

Disposals: 23.7

Marks: 7.5

Tackles: 3.3

Aaron Clarke – Perth

After an injury-interrupted debut season in the WAFL, the Demons spearhead has shown what he can produce this year to earn his State debut.

The 25-year-old Coburg VFL product has been a big reason behind Perth’s rise up the ladder, booting 19 goals in five games.

Clarke has kicked multiple goals in his last four appearances including back-to-back seven-goal hauls against West Coast and East Perth respectively.

2025 averages

Goals: 3.8

Marks: 6.2

Disposals: 11.8

Jamaine Jones – South Fremantle

The former West Coast and Geelong player has been an exciting addition to South Fremantle’s squad this season as they hunt a return to finals.

Jones is a versatile player with plenty of AFL experience, having tallied 66 games before getting delisted by the Eagles at the end of last season.

The 26-year-old has line-breaking pace and a booming and should suit the dimensions of Adelaide Oval.

2025 averages

Disposals: 16.3

Marks: 2.7

Tackles: 2.5

Jesse Turner – Swan Districts

The Swan Districts veteran has been a star of the WAFL for years and is a multiple Black Swans representative.

Turner is having another consistent season, averaging nearly 32 disposals per game including a whopping 44 touches against West Perth in Round 1 and 36 against East Perth the following week.

He’ll be crucial to WA’s hopes of winning the midfield battle and ending a five-year losing run against the Croweaters.

2025 averages

Disposals: 31.7

Inside 50s: 4

Marks: 3.7