Davis puts high value on result and medal

Selfless Simpson medallist Ryan Davis was only too happy to sing the praises of his teammates in the wake of WA’s 45-point win against South Australia.

A regular match winner for Swan Districts, Davis was outstanding at Lathlain Park, amassing 25 possessions, eight marks, 10 inside 50s and five goals in the emphatic victory.

“Team success is first and foremost, but I will cherish this one for the rest of my life,” Davis said. “It was a great result for everyone involved.

“We really wanted to make a statement to the other State leagues that we are a force to be reckoned with and I think we took the right steps today.”

Davis said the work of defenders Andrew Strijk and Wayde Twomey and midfielders Liam Anthony, Aaron Black and Leigh Kitchin had helped create opportunities for him and fellow forwards Shane Yarran and Cory Dell’Olio.

Yarran had three goals before half-time, and former Essendon goalsneak Dell’Olio alsofinished with three.

“With our defensive pressure, I think we found a bit of space coming back the other way when we pushed up hard,” Davis said.

“Finding that space through the middle of the ground, it just opened up and allowed us to play our style of clean, fast footy.

“Those boys were chopping off most of the inside 50s down there and rebounding it straight away.

“We were able to get on the outside and find some space on the hard work that the back men did.”

Davis said he had enjoyed the chance to line up alongside Yarran and Dell’Olio.

“It’s really good playing with smart footballers,” he said.

“They look after you and you look after them and keep out of each other’s space.”

Davis said the win, which edged WA ahead of South Australian State league teams 47-46 in games dating back to 1904, was significant.

“It’s nice to break the deadlock,” he said. “South Australian footy had put in a good performance against the Victorians last year so it was very important for us to get the result on the board today.”

Defender Tom Keough was surprised at his Fos Williams Medal win as South Australia’s best player.

“I’m not sure if I deserved it or not,” Keough said. “I just tried to stay with him (Yarran) the best I could. I thought it was a pretty even match-up but he might have won it.”