Tom Roach is close to getting state game for WA.Roach in frame for a second State jumperDALE MILLER,
The West Australian April 30, 2010
Framed at the home of Swan Districts midfielder Tom Roach is a jumper bearing the iconic symbol of one of WA's greatest rivals.
The 24-year-old's one and only appearance for Victoria came two years ago in a game South Australia won by 65 points, but the experience made enough impact on Roach for him to permanently frame the Big V.
The one-time Richmond player now has his sights set on earning a companion jumper bearing the black swan in a nod to the new home that has breathed fresh life into his football career.
Roach is one of four Swans players in the initial WA squad that will attempt to defeat Victoria for the first time in two decades at Medibank Stadium on May 22.
He will be in elite company if selected for the final team, joining the likes of WA football greats Graham "Polly" Farmer, Barry Cable and Graham Moss as footballers to play for both States.
"I don't think many people would have done that, so it'd be a great honour," Roach said.
The onballer has the football pedigree for his name to sit comfortably amongst those legends, with his father, Michael, finishing his 200-game career with Richmond as a premiership player and a two-time Coleman medallist with 607 goals to his name.
Roach's time with the Tigers was more short-lived, playing 11 matches across three seasons before being de-listed at the end of 2006.
He was first approached by Swans in 2008, but held off until the end of last year after winning his second premiership with VFL side North Ballarat.
"I've won two grand finals and played some good footy there and just thought it'd be time to set some new challenges and have a crack in a different league," Roach said.
"I'd always wanted to play WAFL footy because of the big grounds and the open spaces, which suits my game. I thought the time was right."
A bout of plantar fasciitis - inflammation of the tendon along the sole of the foot - limited Roach's pre-season and delayed his WAFL debut until round three.
He has progressively improved in his four league appearances this year, collecting 29 and 31 disposals in his past two matches.
Roach said he had enjoyed being back in the company of forward Andrew Krakouer, a teammate during his time at Richmond.
Krakouer, who joined gutsy midfielder Josh Roberts and defender Tallan Ames as the other Swans players picked for the WA squad, has averaged 26 disposals a game this year and booted six goals in a stunning return after serving an 18-month prison sentence.
Roach is relishing the idea of taking on Victorian coach Gerald Fitzgerald, his coach during his time with North Ballarat, and claimed WA would have an advantage playing at home.
"The major difference is the (WAFL) competition's a lot quicker," he said. "The ball moves faster, the skills are probably a little bit higher, but there's a lot less contact and a lot less stoppages so it is very much a different competition in terms of the way the footy is played."
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/sport/a/-/wafl/7130840/roach-in-frame-for-a-second-state-jumper/
