Michael Johnson and Aaron Sandilands earned their third selection in as many seasons, with Michael being named on a half back flank and Aaron as the resting ruckman in the forward pocket.
Luke McPharlin became Fremantle’s second most successful State of Origin product by earning his fourth selection in five years. The swingman was named at centre half back.
Classy defender Roger Hayden earned his second selection in as many years, named in a back pocket.
In his debut AFL season, young gun Rhys Palmer was deemed to be amongst WA’s finest 22 players, earning a place on the bench.
Player Development Coach Steve Malaxos said the group’s selection reflected their fine seasons.
“Considering we have only won five games, five players is a pretty good result for the Fremantle Football Club,” Steve said.
“A couple of guys went close to selection like Antoni Grover and Garrick Ibbotson and Peter Bell, had he continued playing, probably would have made the side as well.
“It was a very good effort for Rhys to make the team and his selection is thoroughly deserved. There was not too much debate as to whether he should have made the team or not.
“He has been very consistent for us throughout the year. His damaging ability has seen him get the opposition’s best tagger each week and he is still playing well.”
2008 WA STATE OF ORIGIN SIDE
B: Roger Hayden (Frem), Darren Glass (WCE), Paddy Ryder (Ess)
HB: Michael Johnson (Frem), Luke McPharlin (Frem), Ryan Hargrave (WB)
C: Andrew Embley (WCE), Simon Black (Captain – Bris), Joel Corey (Geel)
HF: Tarkyn Lockyer (Coll), Quentin Lynch (WCE), Paul Medhurst (Coll)
F: Leon Davis (Coll), Lance Franklin (Haw), Aaron Sandilands (Frem)
Foll: Dean Cox (WCE), Daniel Kerr (WCE), Dominic Cassisi (Port)
Int: Rhys Palmer (Frem), Nathan van Berlo (Adel), Chance Bateman (Haw), Daniel Wells (NM)
Coach: Dean Laidley (NM)
Umpire: Brett Rosebury
Fremantle’s State of Origin Selections
(since inception in 2002)
6 - Peter Bell (2002 Vice Captain, 2003 Captain, 2004 Captain, 2005, 2006 Captain, 2007)
4 – Luke McPharlin (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008)
3 - Shane Parker (2002, 2004, 2006), Paul Hasleby (2002, 2003, 2004), Michael Johnson (2006, 2007, 2008), Aaron Sandilands (2006, 2007, 2008)
2 - Matthew Carr (2002, 2003), Justin Longmuir (2002, 2004), Paul Medhurst (2002, 2004), Robert Haddrill (2003, 2004), Jeff Farmer (2005, 2006), Josh Carr (2006, 2007), Roger Hayden (2007, 2008)
1 - Graham Polak (2003), Shaun McManus (2003), Steven Dodd (2006), Des Headland 1 (2006), Antoni Grover (2007), Rhys Palmer (2008)
