Liam McBean named West End State Captain

By ZAC MILBANK

Triple Ken Farmer Medallist Liam McBean will captain the West End State team for its clash against the WAFL in Perth on Sunday.

Assuming the mantle from fellow forward Jack Hayes, the 27-year-old will have Woodville-West Torrens midfielder Joseph Sinor, Norwood captain Matthew Nunn and North skipper Alex Spina as his deputies for the Croweaters quest to retain the Haydn Bunton Junior Cup.

” It’s obviously an amazing honour,” said McBean, who has booted 202 goals for Glenelg since his SANFL debut in 2017.

”It still hasn’t quite sunk in but I’m rapt to be able to have the privilege of being captain this weekend.

”Being a Victorian coming over to Adelaide, you get an education pretty quickly about what the red guernsey means and how important it really is to so many South Australians.”

The Tigers premiership forward said he is looking forward to working with fellow forwards Daniel Menzel and Keenan Ramsey while Jye Menzie and Zane Williams buzz round at ground level inside attacking 50m.

”We’ve got a really good mix down there and I’m sure Connor Ballenden and Harry Boyd will rotate through there (forward line) as well,” McBean said.

”There’s been a bit of a turnover in attack since last year but it will be great to form relationships with other players in the competition. It is a great way to learn as well as we all have different strengths we bring to the table.”

A member of last year’s victorious West End State team, McBean will be aiming to lead SA to its third consecutive win against the Sandgropers after previous successes in 2019 and 2021.

“It will be exciting to showcase the best State Leagues against each other at such a quality stadium. It will be great fun,” he said.