The AFL has today written to Clubs requesting the availability of players for the Victoria vs All-Stars, State of Origin match for Bushfire Relief.
 
Eight players from each of the 18 AFL clubs were identified by the AFL – four for Victorian selection and four for All-Stars selection.
 
A number of considerations were taken into account when proposing the eight players, including but not limited to; members of the 2019 All-Australian squad, Club best and fairest results, ensuring a variance in player types (forwards, midfielders, rucks, defenders) and available information on players currently under any major injury rehabilitation.
 
The format also allows for international-born players to be available for selection for the All-Stars squad.
 
Clubs are required to identify which players of their eight would be available, if selected, for the match on Friday 28 February at Marvel Stadium.
 
Clubs have been asked to confirm the availability of the players in the coming weeks after the next block of pre-season training is completed.
 
The coaching panels led by Damien Hardwick for Victoria and John Longmire for the All-Stars will then select their extended playing lists of 27 players to be announced on Tuesday 18th February. 
 
There will be three players per AFL Club selected across the two extended playing lists.
 
Final teams will be announced on Wednesday 26th February via AFL.com.au. 
 
Each final team will have a starting 18, six interchange players and three emergencies.
 
The Victorian and All-Stars team will each conduct a training session, including media availability on Thursday 27th February at Marvel Stadium at a time to be confirmed.
 
The State of Origin for Bushfire Relief match was announced last week as a double header with the NAB AFL Women’s Round 4 match between Collingwood and Melbourne, with all proceeds from tickets sales and any additional donations to go into a Community Relief Fund set up by the AFL to support the local communities in fire affected areas to repair and rebuild their football clubs, including helping footballing families in these impacted communities.
 
This supports the $2.5m already donated by the AFL, its 18 Clubs and AFL / AFLW players through the AFL Players’ Association, to support communities impacted by the bushfires across Australia.
 
A donation of $1 million will go towards immediate relief efforts on the ground through the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund. A further $1.5 million has been contributed into the Community Relief Fund, as identified above, that directly supports the local football clubs and families in these impacted communities nationally.
 
Ticket on-sale details are to be released in the coming days.
 
Event details
Friday 28 February 
Marvel Stadium
 
5:40pm AEDT
NAB AFL Women’s
Collingwood vs Melbourne
 
7:50pm AEDT
State for Origin for Bushfire Relief
Victoria vs All-Stars