THE AFL has begun contacting the players named in the 40-man squads for the Hall of Fame Tribute Match, to be played at the MCG on May 10, to determine their preference for jumper numbers.

Victoria will host the Dream Team in the one-off match that will bring together the best 50 players in the game, and team management from both squads has asked each player to list their three preferences for the number they would wish to wear should they make the final squad of 30.

The existing squad of 40 will be trimmed to 30 on May 4, with the final match-day squads of 25 to be revealed the day before the game.

Only players who make the final squad of 30 will be confirmed with a number, with only the team captain certain to be given his first choice of number request.

Where two or more players select the same number, the player with the greatest
number of senior AFL games to his credit will be handed that number, with the other player(s) to be given their secondary or subsequent selections.

Under the rules for this game, the selection panels have the right to choose from outside the initial squads of 40 that were named earlier this month, when the final 30-man squad selections are made after round seven.

Fans wishing to attend a game 150 years in the making, can purchase tickets online via the Ticketmaster website or by calling the Ticketmaster phone booking service on 1300 136 122.