News

The TRUenergy Victorian Football League has announced its squad of 25 players to represent the Big V against Western Australia on Saturday at Port Melbourne’s TEAC Oval.

A team of 22 players and three emergencies and the captain and vice-captain will be named on Thursday night.

The team consists of:

• 5 VFL Captains
• 10 players 23 years or under
• 4 players over 27 years, the oldest 29 years
• 10 players who have played AFL
• 18 players who have not represented Victoria before
• 3 players from the 2005 team Vs SA
• 4 players who have represented Victoria at state level (7) in total
• Average age of team: 24 years.

Three-time TRUenergy VFL premiers Sandringham have the most representatives with six.

Victoria will be coached by Mark Williams (Sandringham) and assistant coach is Simon Atkins (Werribee).

VFL General Manager Martin Stillman said a number of players were not selected due to clouds over their fitness. Phil Read (Geelong) was not available for selection due to personal reasons.

"We have picked a balanced squad that is fit and in form and a good blend of youth and experience," Stillman said. "It is fantastic that 18 of the 25 are in line to represent Victoria for the first time. We believe the selected players will represent the Big V with passion and pride on Saturday.’’

Bendigo Bombers Jason Cloke * Simon Rosa *

Box Hill Hawks Kristan Height * Nick Smith *

Coburg Tigers Alistair Neville *

Frankston Justin Berry # Ashley Eames *

Geelong James Byrne ^ Jason Davenport *

North Ballarat Tristan Cartledge *

Northern Bullants Josh Houlihan *

Port Melbourne John Baird * Luke Livingston * Chris Obst ^ David Robbins ^ David Spriggs *

Sandringham Andrew Biddlecombe * Rod Crowe # Ezra Poyas * Nick Sautner ^ Peter Summers * Shane Valenti *

Werribee James Podsiadly # Robert Castello *

Williamstown Brett Johnson *

* - Player has not represented Victoria before (18)
# - Player represented Victoria in the last State Game against South Australia in 2005 (3)
^ - Player has previously represented Victoria (4)