Five GNFLW players and two CMCFL players selected in Country WA men’s and women’s squads - but none from GNFL

A bunch of some of Geraldton’s most talented female football players have earned selection in the Country WA women’s side. The Towns’ trio of Olivia Bidwell, Emily McAuley and Sharntay Westberg, along with the Chapman Valley duo of Andie Payne and Taylah Broadhurst, have been named in the 22-person squad. Bidwell, McAuley, Broadhurst and Payne have been dominant so far this season in the Great Northern Football League women’s competition, each earning five best player nods to date, while Westberg has stood tall, kicking nine goals. Country Football WA last week revealed the preliminary men’s and women’s State country squads to take on the Perth Football League on Friday, June 19, at HIF Health Insurance Oval in Joondalup. The annual showdown is a representative opportunity for the best country footballers in WA to show what they are made of against some of the strongest metropolitan footballers. For a second consecutive year, no Great Northern players have been named in the Country WA men’s side. The last time Geraldton had any representatives in the Country WA men’s side was 2024 when Chapman Valley’s Jayden and Kim Schofield and Northampton’s Harry Taylor were named in the side. However, the Mid West region does have some representation, with Central Coastal Midlands Football League’s James Corner and Todd Kenny receiving the call-up after impressive form for Cervantes and Dandaragan respectively. Corner leads the CMCFL’s goal-kicking tally so far in season 2026, booting 43 majors in seven games. Both games are part of the State pathway program, while the men’s clash will help selectors ahead of the team’s interstate battle against South Australia later this year. The women’s match on Friday kicks off at 5.30pm, while ball-up for the men’s game is at 7.30pm.