2020 West End State of Origin Team – Interchange

South Australians loved nothing more than seeing the treasured West End State of Origin guernsey sported by our best footballers on the national stage. 

While this is sadly a thing of the past at senior level, there’s still plenty of intrigue as to how the Croweaters might line-up if this year’s best South Aussies were assembled to tackle the Big V or the Sandgropers.

So here it is, courtesy of loyal State Team sponsor West End, SANFL’s ZAC MILBANK is selecting the 2020 West End State of Origin Team line-by-line, starting with the star-studded interchange bench.

Providing great poise and versatility, Hartlett’s elite kicking skills will be a valuable asset for the West End State of Origin Team. Now with 165 games of AFL experience under his belt, the 29-year-old can play off half-back, a wing or even join the midfield rotation. A member of the Power’s leadership group, Hartlett averaged just under 20 disposals in 11 games last year as he made his way back from a hamstring complaint.

Milera’s ability to play a variety of roles continues the versatile theme of SA’s talented interchange bench. After thrilling SANFL supporters as a high-flying medium-sized forward with Central District in 2015, the 22-year-old is now finding his niche as an attacking half-back with the Crows. Averaged more than 18 disposals last season in his 17 outings and is now up to a total of 61 AFL matches.

Betts spent portions of his childhood in Western Australia, South Australia and Victoria but the Croweaters claim him considering he was born in Port Lincoln. Playing for the famous Mallee Park Peckers as a junior, Betts has gone on to be one of the best small forwards to play at elite level. Even in the twilight of his career at 33 years of age, Betts presents a significant threat inside 50m as evidenced by him still managing 37 goals in his last year with the Crows. Currently boasts an eye-catching record of booting 600 goals from 316 AFL games.

The flexible feel to the West End State of Origin Team’s interchange is capped off by the inclusion of emerging Gold Coast Suns star Jack Lukosius. Quick to display his talent as a spring-heeled forward for Woodville-West Torrens on debut in the 2017 SANFL Preliminary Final, Lukosius is now making his mark as an intercept defender in the AFL. The No.2 AFL Draft pick posted a solid rookie season in which he played 21 games last year but the best is certainly yet to come from the 195cm utility.