From wafootball.com.au
WESTERN Australia can claim national bragging rights when the WAFL takes on the VFL in next month's State clash at Medibank Stadium in Perth.
After victories over Queensland and South Australia in the past two years, the WAFL is aiming for a win against Victoria for the first time in two decades following a big loss in 2007.
This year's showdown on May 22 will see the WAFL team, led by South Fremantle premiership coach John Dimmer, take on a VFL side headed by Gerald FitzGerald, who was at the helm when the VFL won a close contest at Leederville Oval in 2004, 10.9 (69) to 8.10 (58).
WA have not beaten Victoria since a State of Origin win at the WACA Ground in 1991. The previous State win was three years earlier when a WAFL representative team defeated the Victorian Football Association at Subiaco Oval.
The WA selection committee, chaired by Subiaco premiership player and ABC commentator Phil Lamb, have selected an initial squad for the contest, which will commence training this Wednesday, April 28 at the WACA ground.
The squad will train again at Subiaco Oval on May 4 and at the WACA on May 12 before being reduced to 25 men on the Monday before the game.
A number of players with AFL experience have been named including Luke Blackwell (Carlton), Luke Webster (Fremantle), Ross Young (Carlton), Jaymie Graham (West Coast), Andrew Krakouer (Richmond), Tom Roach (Richmond) and Brent LeCras (North Melbourne).
Exciting young East Perth talents Aaron Sweet and Dean Cadwallader have also been rewarded for their fantastic form, while emerging West Perth wingman Rohan Bewick, has also been named in the initial squad
Coach John Dimmer, who will be assisted by Bill Monaghan, Cam Shepherd and Tony Walters, said he was looking forward to WA's opportunity to climb further up the pecking order in interstate rivalry.
"We moved up the ladder slightly with our win over South Australia last year and to beat the VFL would definitely be another step in the right direction," he said.
WA squad - Claremont: Luke Blackwell, Andrew Foster, Chad Jones, Ian Richardson, James Thomson. East Fremantle: Ryley Dunn, Michael Warren. East Perth: Dean Cadwallader, Aaron Sweet, Luke Webster. Perth: Ross Young. South Fremantle: Jaymie Graham, Sam Hunt, Toby McGrath, Nathan Phillips. Subiaco: Shaun Hildebrandt, Kyal Horsley. Swan Districts: Tallan Ames, Andrew Krakouer, Tom Roach, Josh Roberts. West Perth: Rohan Bewick, Brent LeCras, Jason Salecic, Andrew Strijk*, Anthony Tsalikis.
