By PETER ROWE
A quality mixture of old and new is how assistant coach Karl Harding has described the 2024 WA state team that heads to Melbourne on Thursday for the annual Combined Affiliated States Championships against NT, SA and Victoria.
With old heads like player-coach Delane Edwards and captain Taurean Sheehan in the side there’s plenty of experience. Add in Ken Allen Medal winner Tom Murphy and Fremantle skipper Duane Butler and there is great optimism that this year will see WA win back the title.
Photo – Libby McMillan
Last year WA missed out to Victoria on the last day of the three-day event and while it’s something that has been spoken about in the lead-up to this year’s tournament, it’s not something the senior group has dwelled on.
“We’ve spoken about it, but it’s in the past and we’re concentrating on what we can do this year,” Harding said.
As well as the CAS championships WA will also host the touring English Community Lions side – a squad made up of some of the best talent outside the pro ranks in the UK.
And Harding played against them a decade ago when they last toured.
“It’s going to be a great series and I know from personal experience they will be coming to win – it will be a challenge,” he said.
“But this year we have a good mix of experience and young blokes who haven’t played State before – North Beach’s Korey Craig, Luke David and Jesse Rafferty for example.
Photo – Tom Campbell/Total Sports Photography
“There’s Delane and Taurean and Tom and Duane, plus Bowman Stein and Julz Wyllie as well.
“We look good in the backs and we have a good mix of power and skill in the forwards. We’ve lost a few old heads because of work commitments, but we have a squad capable of winning in Melbourne and doing well against the Lions.”
Sadly, missing through work commitments will be centre Logan Barclay and half Keelyn Tuuta Edwards but fullback Bailey Millar is available, as is Jaylen Grey and Corban Daniels.
Photo – Tom Campbell/Total Sports Photography
And the news from the camp is Edwards will be play the opening game against South Australia on Friday, although he might then manage his game time for the Saturday clash with the Northern territory and Sunday’s probable decider against Victoria.
“It’s about player welfare playing three games in three days, so we will utilise all our strengths,” Harding added.
“And Taurean as captain adds another level of game management on the park.” Sheehan is likely to play either hooker or lock with Butler and Murphy forming a formidable back row.
Edwards at 38, is the elder statesman, but with a new crop of talent coming through, wants to pass on his two decades of knowledge.
“If you look at the State selection numbers Delane is number six hundred and seventy something and young Korey Craig is 811. Over 100 players separate therm, it’s quite amazing,” Harding said.
Photo – Tom Campbell/Total Sports Photography
“But he (Edwards) still wants to pull on the jersey and go out there and play.”
Winning the CAS championships won’t be easy though. Harding is fully aware of the challenges they face.
“There’s no easy games any more. South Australia will come out fired up wanting to make a statement and Northern Territory pushed us all the way last year.” he said.
“And the games are in Victoria’s backyard, so we all know what that means to them.
“But we have a great squad – a good mix and I think we are more than capable of winning it.”
Photo – Tom Campbell/Total Sports Photography
Once the event is over, the squad will return to training sessions ahead of the first game against the English Lions on October 19, when an ‘Emerging’ team, made up of a lot of local new talent who didn’t quite make the State squad will give the visitors a test.
October 24 will see a full State side face the Lions with a second game five days later on October 29. All game taking place at Blueforce Park, the home of reigning premiers North Beach.
“It’s a fantastic series to end the season,” Harding said.
“I know there’s a few that couldn’t make because of Fifo and work commitments, but listening to players in training, they are up for it.”
Photo – Tom Campbell/Total Sports Photography