NSW Country announce team

New South Wales will be ready to take on the best country footballers from around the country at the 2010 Landmark Australian Country Football Carnival with the final 24-man team announced today.

The NSW team includes 24 talented players from the Ovens and Murray Football League, Farrer Football League, Riverina Football League, the Murray Football League, AFL Sydney, the Riverina Football League and AFL Canberra. One more player will be added to the team following this weekend’s round of club matches.

Please click here to view the team. The carnival draw can be viewed by clicking here.

Captaining NSW Country is Riverina’s Christen McPherson, who is playing in his sixth carnival, while Matt Pendergast and Earl Shaw will vice-captain the team.

Over 200 players will be looking to showcase their talents at the event being held in Canberra from July 22 to 25.

NSW Country coach Robbie Jackson said despite a few players withdrawing, the team will be at near full strength and will be ready to challenge for the trophy. 

“We’ve been able to replace those that have pulled out with some really good players that are more than capable of playing good footy,” Jackson said.

NSW Country enter the carnival boasting a side full of youth and experience, with players representing all areas of the state.

“We have a good mixture with age … there are number of younger players around 20 years old and there are also a few older ones,” Jackson said.

“There are about eight or nine players coming from the northern part of the state, and about eight or nine from the southern part with a good sprinkle of players in between those areas.”

“We feel we’ve got a good blend that has players from all quarters of the state.”

This year the scheduling has changed so the seven teams from NSW, ACT, SA, WA, QLD and VIC will all be playing in the same division.

Over the first two days (July 22 and 23) each team will play six games consisting of two, 17 and a half minute halves.

At the conclusion of Friday’s matches the top two ranked teams will play off for the Landmark Cup on Sunday, July 25, with the third and fourth placed teams vying for third overall. The remaining sides will play off for fifth, six, seventh and eighth place.

Despite the changed schedule, Jackson said the talented NSW Country team will be looking to claim back the trophy they won in 2002.

“I think the new format doesn’t really matter – you’re there to play footy and play the best footy you possibly can.”

“We’re fortunate to be able to pit ourselves against the better sides, as we see it in ACT and Victoria, and are looking forward to the challenge.”

Given the increasing popularity of the AFL in NSW, Jackson said it’s important for his side to do well at the carnival.

“I think with [Team] GWS coming, the interest in Aussie Rules in NSW is at the highest its ever been,” he said.

“We’re seeing rugby league converts coming across to the sport and throughout southern NSW the growth in the code is going at a rapid rate so we’re in the midst of something big in NSW. It will be good to do well at this carnival to keep that rolling.”

New South Wales begin their campaign against Victoria Two at Dairy Farmers Park on July 22 before travelling to Manuka Oval later in the day to face off against QLD and WA.