The squads have been named for the upcoming State of Origin Bushfire Relief match, raising money to help rebuild local football clubs that were affected by the recent bushfires across Australia. Many communities across the country have been devastated by wildfires ripping through their town and the AFL is doing their bit to chip in by holding a match between Victoria and the All Stars.
The charity match marks the first State of Origin game since the Hall of Fame tribute back in 2008 and just the second since the struggling format was scrapped back in 1999. Every club has at least one representative in the match with nearly all the best players in the competition available for the fundraiser.
Victoria still remains the dominant state in the league, securing them a team for the match against the All Stars. The game will take place on Friday 28th February 2020 at Marvel Stadium and will follow directly after the AFLW match as part of a double header.
The AFL’s biggest names have thrown their support behind a permanent return to State of Origin football. Six players from @adelaide_fc and @pafc will suit up in the bushfire relief game in Melbourne. https://t.co/wRh8aqogau #7AFL @7AFL @theodrop #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/TbNVruF9JD
— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) February 18, 2020
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Rory Sloane | Adelaide |
| Stefan Martin | Brisbane Lions |
| Darcy Moore | Collingwood |
| Scott Pendlebury | Collingwood |
| Steele Sidebottom | Collingwood |
| Adam Saad | Essendon |
| Mark Blicavs | Geelong |
| Patrick Dangerfield | Geelong |
| Jeremy Cameron | GWS Giants |
| Toby Greene | GWS Giants |
| Nick Haynes | GWS Giants |
| Josh Kelly | GWS Giants |
| Lachie Whitfield | GWS Giants |
| James Sicily | Hawthorn |
| Ben Cunnington | North Melbourne |
| Todd Goldstein | North Melbourne |
| Shaun Higgins | North Melbourne |
| Robbie Gray | Port Adelaide |
| Trent Cotchin | Richmond |
| Bachar Houli | Richmond |
| Tom Lynch | Richmond |
| Dustin Martin | Richmond |
| Jade Gresham | St Kilda |
| Jake Lloyd | Sydney |
| Tom Papley | Sydney |
| Marcus Bontempelli | Western Bulldogs |
| Jack Macrae | Western Bulldogs |
Grand final runners up, the GWS Giants supply the Vics with the most players, with a total of five including recently signed Lachie Whitfield and Coleman Medalist Jeremy Cameron. Reigning premiers Richmond put forward four of their own including superstar Dustin Martin.
Victoria coach Damien Hardwick looks to have a strong squad but is set to miss out on the services of Max Gawn and Joel Selwood who are unavailable through injury, while 2018 Brownlow Medalist Tom Mitchell is also still recovering from his broken leg.
| Player | Club |
|---|---|
| Rory Laird | Adelaide |
| Brodie Smith | Adelaide |
| Taylor Walker | Adelaide |
| Harris Andrews | Brisbane Lions |
| Charlie Cameron | Brisbane Lions |
| Lachie Neale | Brisbane Lions |
| Dayne Zorko | Brisbane Lions |
| Patrick Cripps | Carlton |
| Brodie Grundy | Collingwood |
| Jeremy Howe | Collingwood |
| Nat Fyfe | Fremantle |
| Michael Walters | Fremantle |
| Tom Hawkins | Geelong |
| Zac Touhy | Geelong |
| Lachie Weller | Gold Coast |
| Stephen Coniglio | GWS Giants |
| Luke Breust | Hawthorn |
| Isaac Smith | Hawthorn |
| Neville Jetta | Melbourne |
| Scott Lycett | Port Adelaide |
| Shane Edwards | Richmond |
| Jack Riewoldt | Richmond |
| Bradley Hill | St Kilda |
| Callum Mills | Sydney |
| Brad Sheppard | West Coast |
| Elliot Yeo | West Coast |
| Jason Johannisen | Western Bulldogs |
All Stars coach John Longmire receives a good mix of players with the upcoming Brisbane Lions providing four players including skipper Dayne Zorko.
Zorko joins a quality midfield that includes Blues star Patrick Cripps, Fremantle Brownlow Medalist Nathan Fyfe and All Australian ruckman Brodie Grundy.
However, injuries to big men Lance Franklin and Jeremy McGovern will prevent them being selected in the All Stars side.
Super excited to be involved in the @AFL State of Origin Bushfire Relief Game!💫 #AllStars
— Brodie Grundy (@brodiegrundy) February 18, 2020
