Litherland’s winning Black Swans debut

Great Southern product Angus Litherland was part of WA’s breakthrough State game victory at Adelaide Oval as they powered home to beat South Australia by 26 points on Saturday.

Not since 1994 had WA been successful in a State game at Adelaide Oval but a five-goal final quarter guided the Black Swans to a famous win. Litherland was a key part of WA’s defensive unit, which kept the Croweaters to just two goals in the fourth term.

The Ongerup-raised Litherland, who played for Royals and Albany was the only Great Southern footballer to play in the WAFL State team this year after the withdrawal of Ben Saunders (hamstring) through injury.

Litherland collected 14 disposals, four marks and laid two tackles across half back as WA prevailed, 15.12 (102) to 11.10 (76).

WA went goalless in the first term and trailed by 22 points before soaring back into the contest with eight majors in the second quarter.

The visitors held an eight-point advantage at the last change and kicked the final three goals of the match, played as a curtain-raiser to the Showdown between Adelaide and Port Adelaide.

The result hands WA a sixth straight victory in State matches.

Claremont’s Jye Bolton, who played in the WAFL match in Albany last month, won the Simpson Medal as WA’s best player after finishing with 34 possessions, six marks and a goal.