Matt Palfrey performs strongly for WA Country in defeat at the hands of South Australia at Adelaide Oval

The WA Country Football League lost their State clash with South Australia despite a strong final-term comeback at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Great Southern Football League star Matt Palfrey was part of the WA Country side, playing in the State fixture for the first time. Ongerup Football Association’s Fraser House, Luke Bairstow and Lewis Davis, along with Upper Great Southern Football League trio Justin Joyce, Simon Panizza and Callum Garcia also played. WA started slowly as South Australia led by 18 points at quarter-time and kicked four goals to one in the second term to stretch the margin to 36 points. The third term was a see-sawing affair but South Australia managed two more majors and held WA to one at the other end, holding a 41-point advantage at three-quarter-time. A determined WA side fought back strongly in the final term but ran out of time, kicking four goals to one to win the quarter but going down by 27 points. Palfrey booted a major along with Davis but SA proved too strong, winning 10.8 (68) to 6.5 (41). The 26-year-old Railways product said playing in the State game was a wonderful experience. “It was good, South Australia were a pretty stacked side so it was good to test our ability against them,” he said. “The boys that I was playing against were a good bunch of blokes on and off the field so it made it easier for me. “It was a good experience. “I played the majority of the game as high half-forward and then I rolled back as a deep forward for 15 minutes in the second half. “Obviously it was a step up in competition with the players but in terms of the game play, it wasn’t too different to down here (GSFL). “It was good to get over there (Adelaide) and see what it was like, we had a training session on Friday so we pretty much just had Saturday morning to have a look around.” Palfrey said he was considering a return to the WAFL system. “Having a game with East Perth halfway through the year, I sort of just wanted to check it out and see if I still had the ability to play that level,” he said. “I’m still young and still have a bit of footy left to play in me, so yeah it’s not the end of that journey yet. Kalannie ball-winner Daniel Acres won the Terry House Medal as WA’s best player in the defeat. “Daniel was terrific and deserved to be recognised for his outstanding performance,” WA Country coach Kane Benson said. “Jake Nuich, Cam Symonds, Justin Joyce, Fraser House and Callum Garcia were also prominent and can be proud of their efforts. “As it often the case with State Country matches, the players had little time to build chemistry before taking on the South Australians. “As a group which was only able to train once we arrived in Adelaide for 45 minutes, I thought they worked very well together. “Synergy between the players improved as the game went on and the boys are keen to play together again if the opportunity arises.” The State clash was played before the AFL game between Adelaide and Carlton.