GEELONG champion Gary Ablett is desperate to start his final AFL season in the Big V, according to teammate Patrick Dangerfield.

Ablett missed the 2008 AFL Hall of Fame Tribute match with a calf injury but has put his hand up to play in this month's State of Origin Bushfire Relief Match at Marvel Stadium.

With Dangerfield all but certain to play as one of Geelong's three representatives, the race is on among teammates to fill the final two availabilities between both line-ups. 

"They're all pretty keen, I know the little bald man who sits in the pocket (Ablett) is pretty keen to don the Big V, he missed out in 2008," Dangerfield said on Thursday.

"I think any opportunity to represent your state and for a cause such as this is an important one to undertake.

"His body permitting he'd love to put his hand up."

With Joel Selwood (hamstring), Mitch Duncan (hip/shoulder) and Tom Stewart (groin) ruled out, Geelong's final two spot could be down to Ablett, Tom Hawkins (All Stars) or Mark Blicavs (Victoria). 

Ablett has been a key driver in organising fundraising opportunities among fellow athletes in support of bushfire relief.

His father Gary Ablett snr played 11 matches for Victoria and captained the state in 1995.

Ablett jnr missed just one match in 2019 but could play a maximum of just 18 this year as he manages his workload in his 19th and final season. 

"It's been pretty similar to previous pre-seasons fort Gaz, he hasn't missed too many sessions," Dangerfield said.

"He certainly manages his body at different stages like all 35-year-olds need to do but he's been out there for the majority of match sim (in pre-season).

"I don't think we'll necessarily see him in every game, there'll be times when he needs a bit of a chop out."

Dangerfield, who also assumes the presidency of the AFLPA, was quizzed on the additional allowances for runners to be used during pre-season as revealed by AFL.com.au on Wednesday.

"I am pretty comfortable with the way it is now," Dangerfield said about the 2019 rules.

"I think it is the right balance. We want players on the ground, we don't necessarily want officials and water boys clogging up the game and congesting the game.

"Prior to the rule alterations, we had seen a lot of different people on the ground at one time which I think had the potential, and did, to congest the game and slow it down. I think that's been one change that has been really good."

Dangerfield was speaking alongside Collingwood AFLW captain Steph Chiocci as the AFL announced a new five-year partnership with Coles as the official supermarket of AFL and AFLW.

The Coles red logo will feature in the centre circle of all matches from the start of the 2020 AFL Toyota Premiership Season. 

"We are thrilled to be uniting with one of Australia’s most recognisable and trusted brands," AFL General Manager Commercial Kylie Rogers said.

"The partnership is a natural fit, with both the AFL and Coles dedicated to giving back to local communities and providing opportunities for all Australians."