South Australia has lost its first State Game in four years in Saturday’s clash with Western Australia in Perth.

The Croweaters fell to the Sandgropers by 45 points at Lathlain Park in what was Crows inaugural coach Graham Cornes’ first appearance at the helm of the State Team in 16 years.

Adelaide SANFL captain Ian Callinan was among his side’s best in his second appearance for SA. The veteran gathered 17 possessions, six marks, and an equal team-high six inside 50ms along with two goals.

Callinan booted three majors in last year’s State Game against Victoria.

Former Crows Chris Schmidt (24 disposals, seven clearances) and Jason Porplyzia (15 disposals, four marks) also fought gallantly for SA.

Scores were tied at quarter-time and South Australia built a 13-point lead midway through the second quarter before WA began its charge.

The Croweaters surrendered the lead by the main break, but closed to within 11 points of the Sandgropers early in the third term as the contest lifted to another level.

But the home side would not be denied, as Western Australia booted the next four goals in succession and added another five majors to SA’s two in the final quarter to put the result beyond doubt.

West Adelaide’s Tom Keough was awarded the Fos Williams Medal after being adjudged South Australia’s best player in his maiden State Game.

The match followed an agonising one-point loss for South Australia in the opening match of this year’s AFL National U18s Championships.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA   3.3   6.4   9.9   11.11 (77)
WESTERN AUSTRALIA   3.3   8.6   13.9   18.13 (121)

BEST
South Australia: Keough, Kirkwood, Kurtze, Schmidt, Georgiou, Callinan
Western Australia: Davis, Twomey, Strijk, Black, Hams, Dell’olio, Anthony

GOALS
South Australia: Ryswyk 3, Callinan, Eddy, McGregor 2, Boyd, Kirkwood
Western Australia: Davis 5, Dell’Olio, Yarran 3, Black 2, Hams, Phelan, Anthony, Neates, Cook