Excitement is building as the Smithy’s VFL State Team has been unveiled for the highly-anticipated clash against the SANFL in the upcoming 2024 AAMI State Game.

Comprised of 23 top-tier VFL-listed players, the team showcases the talent and skill of some of the finest athletes from across the Smithy’s VFL. Notably, AFL-listed players, including those on rookie lists, were not eligible for selection in this lineup.

Leading the charge is 2023 runner-up Werribee, whose stellar performance over the past year has earned them recognition with a league-high seven representatives in the Smithy’s VFL State Team. Among them is Dom Brew, the reigning club champion, who has been appointed as the team’s captain.

Southport also boasts a strong presence in the lineup, with five players selected, including midfield standouts Boyd Woodcock and Jacob Dawson, who were runners-up in last year’s J.J. Liston Trophy and Coaches MVP Award, respectively. Dawson, along with Box Hill Hawks’ Callum Brown, has been named as vice-captains alongside Brew.

The Smithy’s VFL State Team is a blend of established VFL stars and former AFL players who have returned to showcase their skills in the Smithy’s VFL in recent seasons. Notably, the team includes five players who were part of AFL lists in 2023: Trent Bianco (Footscray Bulldogs), Tom Highmore (Port Melbourne), Ned Long (Collingwood), Roarke Smith (Port Melbourne), and Lachie Young (Carlton).

Taking the helm as head coach for the Smithy’s VFL State Team is Box Hill Hawks’ Zane Littlejohn, supported by assistant coaches Steve Daniel (Southport), Ben Hudson (Brisbane Lions), and Adam Skrobalak (Port Melbourne).

Fans can expect an intense and thrilling display of talent as these top-tier athletes come together to represent their respective clubs and the VFL in this prestigious State Game showdown.

SMITHY’S VFL STATE TEAM

# NAME SURNAME DOB HT CLUB
1 Dom Brew 23-01-97 180 Werribee
5 Callum Brown 27-04-98 178 Box Hill Hawks
6 Jack Watkins 18-12-00 178 North Melbourne
7 Sam Lowson 24-10-95 183 North Melbourne
8 Jack Henderson 01-10-99 177 Werribee
9 Louis Pinnuck 24-09-98 188 Werribee
10 Boyd Woodcock 05-03-00 177 Southport Sharks
11 Ben Jepson 10-10-01 184 Southport Sharks
12 Jacob Dawson 03-11-99 182 Southport Sharks
13 Kye Declase 15-10-96 195 Werribee
14 George Grey 31-01-01 183 Frankston
15 Trent Bianco 20-01-01 181 Footscray Bulldogs
17 Nick Hayes 11-08-94 190 Werribee
18 Roarke Smith 11-09-96 181 Port Melbourne
25 Lachlan Young 06-04-99 192 Carlton
26 Campbell Hustwaite 28-09-00 190 Casey Demons
27 Mitch White 10-04-96 189 Casey Demons
28 Ned Long 05-02-03 194 Collingwood
33 Tom Highmore 24-02-98 193 Port Melbourne
34 Hudson Garoni 25-08-00 195 Werribee
36 Nathan Cooper 30-08-97 195 Werribee
37 Brayden Crossley 16-08-99 199 Southport Sharks
39 Hugh Dixon 26-02-99 195 Southport Sharks
EMERGENCY
2 Callum Porter 22-02-99 183 Box Hill Hawks

SANFL WEST END STATE TEAM

# NAME SURNAME DOB HT CLUB
1 Frank Szekely 13-08-99 177 North Adelaide
2 Will Snelling 06-08-97 175 Sturt
3 Harry Grant 03-07-01 173 Central District
6 Casey Voss 14-09-00 182 Sturt
7 Riley Knight 27-03-95 181 Eagles
8 Corey Lyons 31-05-98 182 Glenelg
9 Darcy Bailey 20-06-94 176 Glenelg
10 Joseph Sinor 16-03-94 180 Eagles
11 Harrison Wigg 16-10-96 180 North Adelaide
12 Baynen Lowe 29-07-03 177 Norwood
13 Aiden Grace 28-08-97 189 Central District
14 Mitchell O’Neill 21-02-01 178 Norwood
16 James Rowe 17-09-99 173 Eagles
17 Luke Reynolds 09-01-95 188 Glenelg
18 Jez McLennan 07-09-00 184 Central District
19 Josh Ryan 17-04-96 195 West Adelaide
20 Lachie Hosie 25-02-97 189 Glenelg
21 Max Proud 14-02-92 192 Glenelg
22 Matthew Allen 18-10-97 193 Glenelg
23 Jack Heard 27-05-00 192 Norwood
25 Jackson Callow 11-06-02 195 Norwood
26 Harry Boyd 11-02-98 196 Norwood
27 Karl Finlay 14-07-01 193 North Adelaide
28 Liam McBean 25-08-94 202 Glenelg
29 William Coomblas 06-08-98 193 Sturt

UMPIRES
FIELD: Jack Howard, Sam Morgan, Mitchell Scott. Emergency: Michael Sboro
BOUNDARY: Jake Creasey, Tobin Dolman, Taylor Dorsey, Anthony Laughton
GOAL: Braden Ford, James Rizio. Emergency: Bradley Hammer

ABOUT THE 2024 AAMI STATE GAME
The AAMI State Game marks the return of one of the greatest Australian football traditions between the VFL and SANFL.

The AAMI State Game will be the first time since 2016 that the VFL will tackle the SANFL, reigniting a rivalry dating back to the late 1800s. It also marks the VFL’s first representative game since 2017.

The match will be played at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium from 12:40pm (local time) on Saturday, April 6 as part of the AFL’s Gather Round.

BROADCAST
The AAMI State Game will be broadcast live in Victoria and South Australia by the Seven Network on 7mate and streamed on 7plus. The match also will be live streamed nationally on the AFL Live Official App, AFL.com.au and SANFL Now.

TICKETING
Entry to the match is just $15 for Adults and $10 for Concession, all under 18s receive free admission and do not require a ticket for entry. Tickets on sale here.

2024 AAMI STATE GAME
SANFL West End State Team vs Smithy’s VFL State Team
Saturday, April 6, 2024
12:40pm ACDT (local time) / 1:10pm AEDT
Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg
Broadcast live on 7mate
Live stream on the AFL Official App, AFL.com.au, 7plus and SANFL Now