Player Column – Ben Saunders State Game

IT has been a week of ups and downs for me so far. The massive low coming off the loss to rivals East Fremantle, and then the massive high in being selected to represent the state against Tasmania.

The honour of playing state football for Western Australia is massive. Only last night we had legends of state football stand in front of us and recount their favourite memories. It really shows how much it means to them and how passionate people are about it.

I have great memories of playing against NEAFL in my first state game, but even better memories of the people I played with and the celebrations we had after the win.

Playing against people throughout a regular season, you only really see the enemy side that they portray. It’s only once you play alongside someone you get to know how they really are. Prime example is Ashton Hams, terrible bloke to play against but…. Actually that’s a bad example, but you know what I mean.

It’s been nice to be relatively injury free this year (touch wood) and I credit that to Curls and the strength and conditioning team. I also credit the lack of choc milk and crumbed chicken and cheese sausages. I do owe credit to the great doctor we have down the club in Rachel Harris and the physio Michael Swan, who is probably a better example of a terrible bloke to play against but a legend off the field.

I’m stoked that Souths have so many boys in the team. TK to make his state debut is really exciting for him, well deserved and I can see him tearing the game apart. I love playing alongside Cooky, Ash and Marlion as well so it’s going to a great day. I think a few boys were stiff, but that’s footy I guess.

I’m also looking forward to playing alongside Darcy Cameron. He is a great southern kid and is brothers of a great mate of mine, The Sausage.

Tasmania have brought across a running team I have been told, to try and cope with Bassendean Oval. I think they have some very good players and they will aim to play the game in close. We will focus on playing the WA brand of footy and hopefully take home the choccies.

I’ll just try keep it simple and hopefully grab a few snaggas!