PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Connor Ballenden of the SANFL and Matthew Jupp of the WAFL contest for the ball during the WAFL v SANFL 2022 State Game between Western Australia and South Australia at Optus Stadium on May 15, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

It's about the pride of place on Friday at the Adelaide Oval as the best from Western Australia do battle with the best from South Australia for the 98th time in the history of this passion-filled rivalry.

The ledger currently sits at 49-48 in favour of South Australia following their thrilling four-point victory in Perth last year, with another close contest is on the cards.

The contest will be played for the Haydyn Bunton Jr. Cup, name after a great of the game who played eleven times for WA and SA throughout the 1960s and 1970s and 299 games in WAFL & SANFL Footy.

Who are the combatants to take the field? Let's take a look at both teams.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australia go into this contest with a four-year hold on the cup, but they are missing three keys through injury and suspension, with Sturt's Patrick Wilson serving a two-week suspension for striking, while North Adelaide's Harrison Wigg (Ankle) and South Adelaide's Mitchell O'Neil (Shoulder) are also out.

Sturt & Glenelg make up the bulk of the team as they currently sit in the top two on the SANFL ladder, with both sides represented by top-quality talent.

Tom Lewis (Sturt) will be the real key for South Australia with his run and carry across midfield, but also his shutdown tackling, having averaged 15 tackles a game so far this season for the Double Blues and can be the brick wall against WA's youthful midfield rotation.

Glenelg's representation is fronted by the SANFL's current leading goalkicker Lachlan Hosie, who has kicked 20 goals in six games as a very reliable weapon up forward on 74% efficiency and up against a big-bodied WA backline will be crucial as the Croweaters' main avenue to goal.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 03: Lachlan Hosie of North Melbourne looks on during the round 18 VFL match between the North Melbourne Kangaroos and the Box Hill Hawks at Arden Street Ground on August 03, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Luke Hemer/Getty Images)

Reigning premiers Norwood, who are yet to taste victory in their premiership defence, have Jack Oatey medallist Harry Boyd, who will share the ruck duties with Woodville West Torrens' big ruck-forward Connor Ballenden.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

While South Australia go into the game with nine new players in the team, Western Australia are going in with 11 fresh faces in an effort to regain the Haydyn Bunton Jr. Cup on foreign turf on Friday.

One notable absentee is Claremont's Bailey Rogers, who has exploded up forward as well as being the dynamic midfielder that won him the Sandover Medal, is out with an ankle injury he sustained in the win over Swan Districts in Round 6.

A late inclusion is West Perth's Mitchell Dobson, who takes Rogers' place, with the dynamic forward having scored at least one goal in every game, including a season-best eight goals against West Coast in Round 2.

The team has plenty of youth and big-bodied stars, including the backline who are led by East Fremantle pair Matthew Jupp, who will captain SA, Cameron Eardley and South Fremantle's strong enforcer Toby McQuilkin.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Connor Ballenden of the SANFL and Matthew Jupp of the WAFL contest for the ball during the WAFL v SANFL 2022 State Game between Western Australia and South Australia at Optus Stadium on May 15, 2022 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Just who will share ruck duties? Oliver Eastland (Claremont) is WA's leading ruckman and it appears likely that East Perth's Angus Scott will share said duties.

WHO WINS?

South Australia at home are usually hard to beat. In 2021 they dished out a 50+ point hiding to WA but with the weather set to be the great leveller it's a different ball game. Western Australia will fancy their chances if they can get their midfield to show their desperation at the contest and get it moving in a flash against the hard-tackling South Australia.

For South Australia to win, Tom Lewis holds the key with his tacking, if he can get more than 20 tackles it'll go a long way into getting the Croweaters to win this match.

For Western Australia to win, it's going to be inspired by a strong leadership effort from Matthew Jupp, his experience and skill will be crucial for WA's success.

Our tip: Western Australia by seven points
Simpson Medal: Jesse Turner (Swan Districts)
Foss Williams Medal: Tom Lewis (Sturt)