WAFL 2025: Peel Thunder’s Adam Read unveiled as WA coach, taking over from Cam Shepherd

New Western Australia coach Adam Read says he will draw inspiration from the Indigenous All-Stars and pick players who are “invested” in representing their state and ending South Australia’s winning streak. The West Australian can reveal Read will replace fellow Thunder premiership coach Cam Shepherd, who led WA for three years but was unable to claim a win over their arch-rivals. The Black Swans will get their chance to earn their first win over the Croweaters since 2018 when they travel to Adelaide for this year’s State game on May 17. The reigning WAFL premiership coach pointed to the Indigenous All-Stars’ passionate win over Fremantle in a pre-season game last month as the blueprint he wanted to emulate. “Picking a team that’s invested (is important). X’s and O’s are going to be a part of it, but the Indigenous All-Stars highlighted that X’s and O’s aren’t everything,” Read told The West. “At a representative level, AFL level, everyone knows how to play the game. It comes down to the cause and what you’re playing for. “Getting a team together that is invested, that wants to play for WA footy and for the yellow jumper is going to be the most important.” Read was born and raised in South Australia, but is a passionate WA football person after moving west almost two decades ago. And it’s why he has no mixed emotions about heading to Adelaide to end their stranglehold over the rivalry. “I’m looking forward to snapping their winning streak,” Read said. “Strangely enough I’ve had a strong connection to WA footy for a long time, growing up a West Coast supporter... I feel like my life’s work has been in WA football. “I’ve invested a lot in WA footy and in turn, WA footy has invested a lot in me. And it’s my home, I’ve lived here for 17 years now so I feel incredibly comfortable going over there and looking to beat them.” Read said the State games were still a vital part of the football calendar going forward. “I’ve always had great interest in these games. I think they’re a highlight of the season,” he said. “It’s up to us, we’re the bastions to keep it culturally significant because I do think it’s an important thing to be able to represent your state and where you’re from.”

WAFL 2025: Peel Thunder’s Adam Read unveiled as WA coach, taking over from Cam Shepherd

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