WILLIAMSTOWN will defend its 2011 Foxtel Cup in next season's knockout competition, which will feature 16 teams including two from Tasmania.

The VFL side won the inaugural cup from WAFL club Claremont, and both will feature again in 2012.

There will be three teams from the VFL, WAFL and SANFL, two from the TSL, two from Queensland, the NT Thunder, and one team from each of NSW and the ACT.

Greater Western Sydney, which played in the Foxtel Cup last season, will make its AFL debut in 2012, making way for a second Tasmanian team.

The 16 competing teams are Ainslie (ACT), Burnie (Tas), Claremont (WA), Launceston (Tas), Morningside (Qld), Mt Gravatt (Qld), NT Thunder (NT), Port Adelaide (SA), Port Melbourne (Vic), South Adelaide (SA), Subiaco (WA), Sydney Hills Eagles (NSW), Werribee (Vic), West Adelaide (SA), West Perth (WA), and Williamstown (Vic).
 
AFL general manager national and international development, Andrew Dillon, said on Tuesday the competition would be broadcast on the new FOX FOOTY channel.
 
"The Foxtel Cup has provided opportunities for state league teams to increase their professionalism, dealing with travel and meeting new opponents, while allowing further chances for state league players to push for opportunities with AFL clubs," he said.
 
"At the recent NAB AFL Draft, 13 mature-age state league players were listed by AFL clubs and the inclusion of Gold Coast and the Giants in the AFL competition has provided more opportunities for players to build a career in the game."
 
Prizemoney has increased by almost 20 per cent, with the winning team now collecting $60,000.
 
Round One
Eight round-one knockout matches to be played in the period between March 31-May 19. Each match to be played on a Saturday.
 
Round Two
Four round-two knockout matches to be played in the period between June 2-June 23. One game played per week on a Saturday.
 
Round Three
Two knockout semi-final matches to be played over the weekends of July 7 and July 14.
 
Grand Final
Grand Final to be played on Saturday August 4. Venue to be determined dependent on the competing teams.