The final squad of 22 has been revealed for the Peter Jackson VFL side to face the SANFL at Adelaide Oval on Sunday (May 29).
Werribee's Scott Sherlock - a late inclusion for the 2014 game against the SANFL at North Port Oval - has been left out of the traveling squad, with Williamstown's Jack Dorgan named as traveling emergency for the team.
The final squad changes mean 10 VFL clubs will be represented in the team on Sunday, to be led by Footscray captain Jordan Russell. Just six players - David Mirra, Jake Wilson, Nick Meese, Peter Faulks, Willie Wheeler and Khan Haretuku - have represented the VFL previously.
CLICK HERE to see the final team
There will be extra VFL representation on the field this Sunday at the Adelaide Oval, with three VFL umpires officiating in the game.
CLICK HERE to find out the three umpires selected
A BRIEF HISTORY
Over the last 20 years, a fierce rivalry between Australia’s two oldest sporting leagues has spawned some memorable games. Kate Withers looks back at this ageless state rivalry.
In recent times though, the SANFL has recorded five wins from the last six games by an average of 30 points, and heads into this weekend’s state game against the VFL at Adelaide Oval with the statistical and home ground advantage.
Last time the sides met in 2014 at North Port Oval, Michael Wundke and Ian Callinan paired up to kick nine goals in the SANFL’s 22-point win.
On the day, Zane Kirkwood, Jarrod Schiller and James Boyd starred for the victorious SANFL, with Kirkwood also taking out the Fos Williams Medal for best SANFL player on ground.
For the VFL, Nick Lower (Footscray) and Chris Cain (Port Melbourne) were in the best, whilst Williamstown midfielder Adam Marcon claimed Frank Johnson Medal honours for best VFL player on ground.
In fact the last five state game best on grounds have come from Williamstown and Port Melbourne – 2008 Robin Nahas (Port), 2010 Matthew Little (Williamstown), 2012 John baird (Port), 2013 Chris Cain (Port).
Whilst the VFL’s last state game win came in 2012 against the Tasmanian Football League (TFL), the side hasn’t been able to overcome the SANFL since 2002. In that game, 14 years ago at Adelaide Oval, the Big V stormed home to the tune of 56 points with 2016 VFL aisstant coach and North ballarat coach Marc Grieg a part of that team – coached by Gerard FitzGerald.
Not since then has the VFL managed to one-up the SANFL, and the Victorians will be looking to this weekend’s state clash at Adelaide Oval to regain some winning form.
Captained by Footscray’s Jordan Russell, the VFL squad for Sunday’s game contains just six players with state game experience, while former Fos Williams Medalist, Zane Kirkwood, leads the charge for the SANFL.
One of the key factors for the VFL team over recent years has been the draftees to come out of state games including Brett Goodes (Western Bulldogs), Sam Lloyd, Adam Marcon, Kane Lambert (Richmond), Dean Towers (Sydney), Leigh Osbourne (Gold Coast), Kyle Martin (Collingwood), Kyle Hartigan (Adelaide) and James Podsiadley (Geelong).
CLICK HERE for state game media coverage.
LAST TIME THEY MET:
2014
SANFL 3.2 7.5 12.7 18.10 (118)
VFL 2.3 6.7 10.12 14.12 (96)
GOALS - SANFL: M Wundke 6, I Callinan 3, B Eddy, S Summerton, J Beech, T McIntyre
2 Ryswyk. VFL: Cain, Valenti , Rowe, Schipione, Clouston 2, Lower, Fleming, Cockie, Sherlock.
BEST—SANFL: Z Kirkwood, J Schiller, J Boyd, S Summerton, J Beech, M Bode, M Wundke.
VFL: Lower, Cain, Meese, Marcon, Pinwill, Valenti.
2008
SANFL 5.3 14.5 19.9 25.11 (161)
VFL 5.2 5.4 8.6 14.12 (96)
SANFL : Goals— Alleway 6, Chambers 4, Backwell, Perrie, Treeby 3, Havelberg, Salter 2, Powell, Sharples
SANFL : Best— Clint Alleway (Fos Williams Medallist), Thomas, Crane, Allam, Treeby, Parry, Clayton, Backwell
VFL : Goals—Nahas 2, Rose 3, Berrt 2, Skipworth, Cloke, Kenna, Roach, Nicholls.
VFL : Best—Robin Nahas (Frank Johnson Medallist), Johnson, Silvester, Stretton, McGrath, Rosr
2005
SANFL 4.2 11.3 15.4 20.8 (128)
VFL 3.4 8.10 12.16 18.16 (124)
2002
VFL 5.3 8.7 15.13 18.17 (125)
SANFL 1.2 7.4 7.6 10.9 (69)
2001
SANFL 3.5 9.8 13.12 20.14 (134)
VFL 2.6 6.9 8.12 14.12 (96)
Last Modified on 27/05/2016 22:43