Dunsborough product Stan Wright and Bunbury-born Bailey Rogers feature for WA in heavy State game defeat

Dunsborough junior Stan Wright and Bunbury-born Bailey Rogers both featured for Western Australia as they suffered a 63-point defeat to South Australia in the representative State league game at Optus Stadium on Sunday. Rogers gathered 22 disposals while laying two tackles in the midfield and Wright managed 15 disposals across half-back, but their side was no match for the Croweaters who registered their biggest victory in the game in 28 years in a dominant 16.13 (109) to 5.16 (46) win. Wright made his debut for the Sandgropers in the clash while Rogers pulled on the black and gold for the fourth time, having played in the 2019, 2021 and 2022 editions of the contest. The 26-year-old Wright has been a standout contributor in East Perth’s 5-1 start to the WAFL season, averaging 23.8 disposals per game, while Rogers has maintained his high standards despite a slow start for his side Claremont, also going at a rate of 23.8 disposals an outing while kicking six goals. Wright’s State league teammate Scott Jones, a Busselton junior who had missed the past two weeks of the season due to a calf issue, was overlooked in favour of ruckman Ollie Eastland and Brynn Teakle. “It was a close call between the three (ruckmen) but Jonesy has missed the past two weeks with his calf injury so it was picking players who are playing and in-form,” coach Cam Shepherd said. Eaton product Isiah Winder was a late addition to the squad after a standout start to the season with South Fremantle, averaging 24.2 disposals through his six games while kicking six goals, but was not selected in the final team.