Port Melbourne’s North Port Oval has been announced as the battle ground for the State League clash between the Peter Jackson VFL and South Australian National Football League (SANFL) in May this year.
The two traditional football states go head to head on Saturday May 31, with some of the best State League talent on show and competition honour on the line.
The VFL is aiming to return to the winners list after a 17-point loss to the WAFL in 2013, and will trying and bring the SANFL unbeaten run to an end, after they defeated the NEAFL – Northern conference (82 points) last year and WAFL (14 points) in 2012.
Box Hill Hawks premiership coach Damian Carroll – now with Hawthorn in a full time role – will return to the VFL to manage the state side, taking over from Port Melbourne’s Gary Ayres who had coached the team for the last two seasons.
AFL Victoria State League and Talent Manager John Hook said it was pleasing that they had been able to secure Carroll to return to the VFL for this role.
“Damian played a key role in helping develop the young VFL and AFL listed players into a premiership winning side last year at Box Hill, and was a natural choice to coach the team.
“It is obviously a change for us to name a coach not currently officiating in the VFL, but he has great knowledge of the competition as both a coach and previously as a player and will still see enough VFL football in his new role.”
Hook said North Port Oval was the first ground discussed to host May’s State League game.
“North Port Oval has hosted the last two state games (2005,2007), and its central location has proved popular in the past for these games as well as VFL finals.
“It is a ground all the players know well, and the facilities accommodate all types of weather Melbourne may provide in May.”
Carroll was rewarded for his hard work in the VFL over the last three seasons, not only with a premiership with Box Hill, but also with his appointment as Head Coach of Hawthorn’s Development Academy.
He was honoured when he was asked to take on the role as the 2014 VFL State Coach.
“I am a big believer in state football and striving to play at the highest level you can, and to play in the state team is something as a player that I always aspired to do, so to get the job as coach was really exciting,” Carroll said.
“Not having as much emotional tie to the competition as you do when you are head coach of a club, I think that it is a benefit to have someone that sits outside the system.
“Hawthorn is very supportive of me doing the role. I will be working closely with Box Hill on match day (this year) and will still be at VFL games and watching VFL football, but for the last three years I have been able to watch a lot of the clubs and players.”
The last time the two competitions met was at the very same ground in 2005, with the visitors securing a close four point victory.
“Hopefully it is a big crowd and one the Victorian supporters get behind.
“Obviously they (SANFL) got the honours last time, and they have been pretty strong over the last couple of years,” Carroll said.
“For us to be able to knock over the form state competition is a real opportunity for us to stand up and show everyone the strength and depth of the VFL competition.”
The SANFL this week announced that Woodville-West Torrens coach Michael Godden will coach the SANFL side for the third year in succession.
The Peter Jackson VFL versus SANFL will be played on Saturday May 31 at North Port Oval. Further announcements will be made regarding the assistant coaches and initial squad in coming months.
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Last Modified on 21/02/2014 10:06