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A 50-player Smithy’s VFL State Team squad has been announced ahead of the representative clash against the SANFL in Glenelg during the AFL Gather Round

The Victorian Football League (VFL) has announced a 50-player squad ahead of its highly-anticipated return to representative football when it takes on the SANFL during the AFL Gather Round next month.

The fierce rivalry between the Smithy’s VFL and Hostplus SANFL League will reignite on Saturday, April 6 when the best players from both competitions face off during the AFL Gather Round… A Festival of Footy, which will take place in South Australia from April 4-7.

The match marks the first senior men’s representative clash between the VFL and SANFL since 2016 and the VFL’s first representative match since 2017.

The Smithy’s VFL State Team squad features many of the best VFL-listed players from across the competition, with 19 of the 21 clubs represented. AFL-listed players, including rookie-listed players, are not eligible to be selected.

2023 grand finalist Werribee leads the way with eight representatives named in the squad, followed by the Southport Sharks (six) and Port Melbourne (four).

The squad includes six players who featured in the 2023 Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year, along with a host of new recruits who have joined Smithy’s VFL clubs during the off-season.

The Smithy’s VFL State Team coaching panel was announced last month, with Box Hill Hawks coach Zane Littlejohn appointed head coach.

He will lead a highly experienced coaching panel that includes current-serving coaches Steve Daniel (Southport Sharks), Ben Hudson (Brisbane Lions) and Adam Skrobalak (Port Melbourne).

A final squad of 23 players to represent the ‘Big V’ in the league’s first representative appearance in seven years will be announced closer to the match.

Players from outside the squad of 50 will still be eligible for selection in the final squad, with form across the opening two rounds of the 2024 Smithy’s VFL season to be taken into consideration.

Continue below to view the 50-player Smithy’s VFL State Team squad.

TICKETING

Tickets for the representative clash between the Smithy’s VFL and Hostplus SANFL League are now on sale.

Entry is just $15 for Adults and $10 for Concession while children aged under 18 receive free admission and do not require a ticket for entry.