THE BEST of the rest have hit the turf at an MCG training session ahead of Saturday’s long-awaited clash. Now it’s up to selectors to choose who of the 30 Dream Team hopefuls will take the field.
Interestingly, the only player to give the side an international flavour – that’s Sydney Swan Tadhg Kennelly – took part in the pre-training photo shoot before promptly disappearing into the rooms before the warm-up. He says it’s just a bit of soreness from Sunday’s hard-hitting Bulldogs clash, and he’s a certainty to be right for the big game.
Friday will reveal who’s in and who’s out, but one thing’s for sure: the players are eager to humble their Victorian opponents.
With eleven clubs represented and a player from each state, the Dream Team members – not least, Buddy Franklin – are looking forward to playing with some of their week-to-week opponents.
Usual teammates are pitted against each other, too. Brisbane Lions co-captain and Big V representative Luke Power is hoping Lions teammate and Dream Team squad member Jamie Charman, exercises a bit of caution around his 179cm frame.
Western Bulldog Adam Cooney is keen to pull on a Dream Team Guernsey and is hopeful a four-week-old ankle injury won’t prevent him from taking part.
Adelaide defender Ben Rutten was also in doubt, but is confident he has recovered sufficiently from a back injury to take his place in the Dream Team.
The coaches haven’t been slow to weigh in, with Dream Team assistant coach Neale Daniher fondly recalling the time he helped New South Wales knock off the big V, and Victorian chairman of selectors Kevin Sheedy talking up the chance for players to showcase their All-Australian credentials.
The squads
Click here for all our coverage of the match 150 years in the making.
Get back to your footy roots
Hundreds of AFL players not selected for the Hall of Fame Tribute Match will be attending local clubs around the nation for Community Football Weekend.
Collingwood’s Nick Maxwell is heading back to his local club, St Josephs. Stay tuned for more information on where some of the league’s favourite players will be.
The Community Football Match Locator is a useful tool to find out who's playing and where, whether it's Motton Preston and Wesley Vale, Augusta Margaret River and Busselton or Balywn and Noble Park.
Click here for all our coverage of Community Football Weekend.
Ticketing
The deadline might have passed to register to be part of the giant 150 on the ground before the match, but tickets are still available for the Hall of Fame Tribute match from Ticketmaster, either at ticketmaster.com.au or via the Ticketmaster phone booking service on 1300 136 122.
Three days out from the main event on Saturday, the excitement is building in anticipation of a free-flowing, high-scoring thriller that’s been 150 years in the making.
For more information regarding Australian Football 150 Years activities and events, visit 150years.com.au.
