Three Bulldogs have been included in the VFL’s initial 50-player squad ahead of its highly-anticipated return to representative football, when it takes on the SANFL during the AFL Gather Round next month.

Off-season recruits Trent Bianco and Phoenix Spicer, along with familiar face Josh Chatfield are the Bulldogs’ representatives.

The fierce rivalry between the Smithy’s VFL and Hostplus SANFL League will reignite on Saturday, April 6 when the best players from both competitions face off during the AFL Gather Round… A Festival of Footy, which will take place in South Australia from April 4-7.

The match marks the first senior men’s representative clash between the VFL and SANFL since 2016 and the VFL’s first representative match since 2017.

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Players have been selected based on a range of factors including performance at state league level and pre-season form, with all Smithy’s VFL clubs and AFL club recruiting staff also consulted.

AFL-listed players, including rookie-listed players, are not eligible to be selected.

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

A final squad of 23 players to represent the ‘Big V’ in the league’s first representative appearance in seven years will be announced closer to the match.

Players from outside the squad of 50 will still be eligible for selection in the final squad, with form across the opening two rounds of the 2024 Smithy’s VFL season to be taken into consideration.

TICKETING

Tickets for the representative clash between the SANFL West End State Team and Smithy's VFL State Team are now on sale.

Entry is just $15 for Adults and $10 for Concession while children aged under 18 receive free admission and do not require a ticket for entry.

Please click here to purchase your tickets.

MATCH DETAILS

SANFL West End State Team vs Smithy's VFL State Team
Saturday 6 April
12:40pm local time / 1:10pm AEDT
Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg, SA