State honour for in-form Litherland

Former Hawthorn defender Angus Litherland has made up for the disappointment of missing out on last year’s State match through injury by being named in the WAFL team to face South Australia last night.

Litherland has been in terrific form with Subiaco this season, averaging more than 14 disposals a game, and was named alongside fellow Great Southern footballer Ben Saunders in the initial 33-man WA State squad last month.

The final team that will travel to Adelaide to play the SANFL on Saturday was revealed last night with Litherland getting the nod to make his State debut.

He previously was part of the WA State 18s program when playing colts for Claremont in 2010.

Saunders’ incredible record in State games will not be added to this year after the high-flying Mt Barker forward injured his hamstring for South Fremantle at the weekend, and has been ruled out.

Ongerup-bred Litherland, who also played for Royals and Albany as a junior, said any State honour was exciting.

“With the initial squad, training has been promising,” the 25-year-old said.

“I missed last year with a broken arm the week before, which was disappointing.

“It’s good to have half the squad made up of Subiaco players.”

After 25 AFL games in six seasons with the Hawks, Litherland has returned to play 25 league games for the Lions.

Saunders’ omission is a major loss for the Sandgropers, given he won the Simpson Medal last year after an outstanding six-goal best afield display to help WA beat Victoria.

In 2014, Saunders booted five goals in his State debut against the NEAFL and in 2016 the mercurial forward bagged six majors in the romp over Tasmania.