FORGET Cats on Broadway. The best stage in the country will feature ‘one show only’ in four days, with Geelong looking to take the lead roles for Victoria.

But the Dream Team is boosted by a strong Crows line-up, with seven Adelaide players – one less than Geelong’s eight Big V representatives – expected to don that famous jumper featuring Australia’s 1246 non-Victorian community football clubs.

It’s all about backs for the Crows – in more ways than one – with five defenders listed in the Dream Team Squad and Brett Rutten in a race against time to recover from bruising to his lower back that sidelined him on the weekend.

Matthew Richardson is looking forward to some ‘good, fast, high-scoring footy’ and expects to add to his wonderful memories of representative football on Saturday. The Tiger has demonstrated fine form in recent weeks but says he’ll be keen to get the footy to his new team buddy, Buddy, who he tips to win the Allen Aylett medal for best on ground.

Richardson and the rest of the Dream Team will be relieved with the news that Lance Franklin will play, after doubts were raised when he suffered a minor injury to his right shoulder against Collingwood on the weekend.

Hawthorn teammate Luke Hodge was not so lucky, suffering a hamstring injury in the same match that will prevent him representing Victoria on Saturday. But the aggressive midfielder holds hope that the Hall of Fame Match won’t be the last of its kind.

While the best of the best will shine under the MCG lights, the rest of the best will be visiting local clubs for Community Football Weekend. Just who will be where is eagerly awaited.

And the rest of, well, the rest, will be playing their part in one way or another at the hundreds of community football matches scheduled across the nation over the weekend. Why not head out to a ground near you? It might get you thinking about the future of footy and how your ideas can help to improve the code into the next 150 years, or give creative types inspiration for the finishing touches on entries for the MIFF Footy Shorts competition.

Be part of a once-in-a-lifetime footy experience

Ten thousand people will have a taste of what it feels like to walk – or run – out onto the MCG for a State-of-Origin clash. Sign up for your chance to be part of a moment 150 years in the making.

Ticketing

Plenty of 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.

For more information regarding Australian Football 150 Years activities and events, visit 150years.com.au.