In the wake of the AFL announcing the upcoming Western Australia versus South Australia State of Origin game set for next year, I decided to take a look at what the SA team could look like when it graces the field for the first time since 1999.
SA will travel to Optus Stadium to take on WA in 2027, before hosting Victoria in 2028. The third year (2029) will cycle back to the start of the new series, with WA hosting Victoria in Perth.
Players are assigned their state of eligibility based on the location of the junior club from which a given player was drafted.
This side was selected not just on skill, but on fit, role and team balance.
Defenders
FB: Mason Redman, Callum Wilkie, Max Michalanney
HB: Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera, Brennan Cox, Wayne Milera
The South Australian side will be heavily guarded with the best defender in the league and the anchor of the side in Callum Wilkie, who with Brennan Cox, can both shut down almost any key forward that comes their way.
Superstar Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera will help drive the ball up the field and should make an exciting half-back duo with the in-form Wayne Milera, while Mason Redman and Max Michalanney can help mop up any mistakes that come down back on the flank.
There should be plenty of options to get the ball out of the defensive 50, with Wanaganeen-Milera and Milera both being great users of the ball who can open up the ground, after Wilkie and Cox mitigate entries.
