Reigning WAFL Premiership coach Jarrad Schofield has declined the opportunity to take the reigns of the WAFL State team when they play South Australia later this year.

The position is always first offered to the Premiership coach but, in 2012, was filled by runner-up Chris Waterman after Claremont’s Simon McPhee left to join St Kilda.

Reigning WAFL Premiership coach Jarrad Schofield has declined the opportunity to take the reigns of the West Australian state team when they play South Australia later this year. 

If the position is again offered to the runner up coach, East Perth’s Brian Dawson is in line to take the reigns with the veteran coach receiving the support of Schofield.

"I did sort of verbally say yes initially, but things over the last month have made me reassess that," Schofield said on 6PR’s Sports Today.

"I’ve got a business to run, family time, all of those things.

"As much as I’d love to coach the state, it gives me an opportunity to recharge the batteries, refocus the boys after eight to nine rounds and focus on a bit of work in that period.

"I’d endorse old Brian Dawson, he’s been around the traps for a while."

Dawson coached the State team in 2011, when the WAFL 16.17 113 defeated the NEAFL 16.11 107.

WA will face the Croweaters at Lathlain Park on Saturday, May 23.