SWFL quartet set to take the state stage in State Country Football Cup match at Optus Stadium

Four of the South West’s finest footballers have the opportunity to represent country WA at Optus Stadium in a bid to take back the State Country Football Cup. South Bunbury’s Tom Gorter, Donnybrook’s Zac Trigwell, and Busselton’s Mitch Tenardi and Zac Pethybridge have been named to represent the New Holland WA State Country Men’s Team that will host South Australia in the State Country Football Cup at Optus Stadium on Saturday. The quartet were picked following impressive runs representing the South West Football League at the Nutrien Ag Country Football Championships earlier this month. Despite falling just short of going back to back against the Avon Football Association in the division one grand final, Gorter, Tenardi and Trigwell were all named among the Country Championship All Stars, with Trigwell also receiving the Rising Star award. Pethybridge was also named one of the SWFL’s best on ground during the grand final. Saturday’s match, acting as a curtain raiser for the round 19 AFL clash between Fremantle Dockers and Sydney Swans, will see the WA State Country men’s team and South Australia battle it out for the State Country Football Cup, with the home side looking to snatch back the cup they lost last year in Adelaide. Coached by Kane Benson, the squad will also be captained by Daniel Acres from Kalannie FC in the Central Wheatbelt, with Gorter joining former AFL premiership player Harry Taylor (Northampton FC) as vice captains. SWFL umpires are also set to have the opportunity to officiate at Optus Stadium, with field umpire Cam Valenti, boundary umpires Daniella Schoeman and Emma Hutchins, and goal umpire Josh Daniels set to make the journey to Perth.