Five Bulldogs named in WAFL State squad

SOUTH Fremantle players Ryan Cook, Marlon Pickett, Ashton Hams, Ben Saunders and Blayne Wilson have all been named in the WAFL State squad to play South Australia at Lathlain Park on Saturday May 23.

The initial squad of 36 players has been announced and that includes the five South Fremantle players who have all made strong starts to the 2015 WAFL season.

Cook, Hams and Saunders were all part of the WAFL team that beat the NEAFL in Sydney last year and all were among the best players with Hams coming away with the Simpson Medal, but Cook not being far behind and Saunders booting five goals.

And now Hams and Cook have continued to win plenty of the ball so far this season for the Bulldogs, Saunders has kicked 14 goals in six games so far, and then Pickett has been rewarded for his exciting run and carry out of defence, and Wilson for ability to read the ball and set up attacks from defence.

It is tremendous reward for those five players who have continued their tremendous form to start the 2015 WAFL season, and there are some other Bulldogs who could consider themselves unlucky but can still press their claims for a place in the squad between now and May 23.

Haiden Schloithe would have likely been a walk up start had it not been for his ankle injury while Adam Guglielmana has done outstanding work this season as a small defender including on the likes of Mitch Morton and George Hampson, and he also sets up play well of the back-line.

Kyle Hams has also made a strong return to the WAFL in 2015 and could consider himself unlucky as could ruckman Brock Higgins.

The WAFL team will be coached by West Perth premiership captain and coach Darren Harris and he will be joined by the man that coached him to a flag with the Falcons as well, John Dimmer – a two-time premiership coach with both West Perth and South Fremantle, and former State coach.

Tony Micale, Adam Selwood, Geoff Valentine and Shane Cable also help form the coaching staff for the WAFL team while Brett Barber is the chairman of selectors, and Craig Smoker is the team runner.

There are five training sessions scheduled in the lead up the clash between WA and South Australia starting on Monday May 4 at Fremantle Oval.

There will then be training sessions at the WACA Ground and Domain Stadium the next two Monday followed by a session at Lathlain Park on the Tuesday before the match, and then Thursday again at Domain Stadium followed by the jumper presentation.

The WAFL squad at this stage not only is made up of the five South Fremantle players, but includes six players from reigning premiers Subiaco, six from West Perth, five from Swan Districts, five from East Fremantle, three from Peel Thunder and one each from Claremont and Perth.

The squad includes Liam Anthony, Blayne Wilson and Leroy Jetta who are fresh off AFL lists in their first seasons back in the WAFL in 2015 and a good mix of exciting talent including Shane Yarran and Marlon Pickett, and experienced performers such as Rory O'Brien, Paul Johnson, Brendon Jones, Ashton Hams, Tallan Ames, Justin Simpson, Chris Keunen and Jay van Berlo.

The SANFL team is being coached by Graham Cornes and the squad at this stage includes plenty of recognised talent including former Adelaide Crows players Ian Callinan, Jared Petrenko and Jason Porplyzia, former WAFL representative Marlon Motlop and the experienced Paul Thomas.

WAFL STATE SQUAD
Claremont – Ryan Neates
East Fremantle – Liam Anthony, Andrew Stephen, Brock O'Brien, Rory O'Brien, Bradd Dalziell
East Perth – Paul Johnson, Brendan Lee, Kyle Anderson, Steven Payne
Peel Thunder – Brendon Jones, Gerald Ugle, Leroy Jetta
Perth – Aidan Tropiano
South Fremantle – Ashton Hams, Ryan Cook, Ben Saunders, Blayne Wilson, Marlon Pickett
Subiaco – Chris Phelan, Lachlan Delahunty, Clancy Wheeler, Kyal Horsley, Shane Yarran, Leigh Kitchin
Swan Districts – Tallan Ames, Justin Simpson, Tony Notte, Ryan Davis, Matt Riggio
West Perth – Aaron Black, Laine Rasmussen, Chris Keunen, Jay van Berlo, Shane Nelson, Andrew Strijk

SANFL STATE SQUAD
Adelaide – Ian Callinan
Central District – Tom Collier, Jarrod Schiller, Paul Thomas
Glenelg – Terry Milera
North Adelaide – Marlon Motlop, Leigh Ryswyk
Norwood – Jace Bode, Brady Dawe, Alex Georgiou, Peter Persinos
Port Adelaide – Steven Summerton
South Adelaide – Joel Cross, Brett Eddy, Nick Liddle
Sturt – Kory Beard, Michael Coad, Ben Hansen, Zane Kirkwood, Angus Kurtze
West Adelaide – Jonathan Beech, Tom Keough, Jason Porplyzia, Chris Schmidt, Taite Silverlock
Woodville West Torrens – James Boyd, Luke Jarrad, Lachlan McGregor, Jared Petrenko, Luke Thompson