The Victorian Football League (VFL) has today announced the Smithy’s VFL State Team squad ahead of the clash with the SANFL’s West End State Team during Gather Round.

A 43-player squad has been unveiled in preparation for the 2025 AAMI State Game, which will be played at Tanunda Recreation Park in the Barossa on Saturday, April 12.

The clash between the VFL and SANFL representative teams will follow the North Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns AFL match at nearby Barossa Park, providing a footy showcase for the Barossa region.

The Smithy’s VFL State Team squad features representatives from 18 clubs across the 21-team competition.

2024 grand finalists the Southport Sharks have a league-high five players named in the squad, while the Box Hill Hawks, Frankston, Port Melbourne and Williamstown each have four players included.

Eight players who represented the Smithy’s VFL State Team in last year’s clash with the SANFL have been selected in this year’s squad. They include Dom Brew, Brayden Crossley, Jacob Dawson, Kye Declase, Hugh Dixon, Tom Highmore, Callum Porter and Boyd Woodcock.

Only VFL-listed players are available to be selected in the Smithy’s VFL State Team, with current AFL-listed players ineligible.

Players who are injured were not selected in the initial squad, however players can still be added from outside the squad when the final team of 23 players to represent the ‘Big V’ is announced in the week leading into the match.

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

The coaching panel comprises an additional five Smithy’s VFL club coaches in assistant roles. They include Jamie Cassidy-McNamara (Coburg), Stewart Edge (Footscray Bulldogs), Ben Hudson (Brisbane Lions), Jackson Kornberg (Frankston) and Taylor Whitford (Casey Demons).

The Smithy’s VFL State Team will be looking for atonement in the 2025 AAMI State Game after falling to the SANFL by 14 points in last year’s clash at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium.

It was the first time the Smithy’s VFL State Team had been on the representative stage since 2017 and reignited the rivalry between the VFL and SANFL which dates back to the late 1800s.

Three players who represented the Smithy’s VFL in last year’s AAMI State Game went on to be added to AFL club lists.

Ned Long was selected by Collingwood with pick 19 in the 2024 AFL Mid-Season Draft, while Ben Jepson and Jack Henderson were selected by the Gold Coast Suns and Melbourne respectively during the 2025 AFL Pre-Season Supplementary Selection Period. 

Continue below to view the 2025 Smithy’s VFL State Team squad.

2025 AAMI State Game – Men’s

Smithy’s VFL State Team vs SANFL’s West End State Team
Saturday, April 12, 2025
2:45pm local / 3:15pm AEST
Tanunda Recreation Park
Broadcast: 7mate in Victoria and 7plus Sport nationally or stream at AFL.com.au
Tickets: Adults $15, concession $10. Tickets can be purchased here.