A historic new chapter in the famous rivalry between the Victorian Football League and South Australian National Football League will be written in April with men’s and women’s representative sides to clash during Gather Round…A Festival of Footy.

The 2025 AAMI State Games will feature as part of an action-packed weekend of football festivities in South Australia.

In an exciting development, the best players from the rebel VFLW will represent the ‘Big V’ when they take on the SANFL Women’s State Team at Alberton Oval on Friday, April 11 from 6:30pm ACST.

It will be the first time since the rebel VFLW was established in 2017 that a women’s representative team will take the field, with the match to be live streamed on SANFL Now.

Only VFLW-listed players from the 12-team rebel VFLW competition will be eligible for selection. Players who feature on AFLW lists for the upcoming 2025 season will be ineligible.

The men’s clash between the Smithy’s VFL State Team and the SANFL’s West End State Team will take place at Tanunda Recreation Park in the Barossa on Saturday, April 12 from 2:45pm ACST.

The best VFL-listed players from the 21-team Smithy’s VFL will be selected for the Smithy’s VFL State Team, where they will be looking to atone after falling to the SANFL by 14 points at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium last April.

Collingwood's Ned Long, who started the year on the VFL list before being elevated to the AFL list via the mid-season draft, played in last year's game and starred with two goals.

The likes of Curtis Taylor, Josh Bennetts, and incumbent Captain Sam Glover - who made the initial squad in 2024 - will all be in the frame to make this year's side. 

Last year was the first time the Smithy’s VFL State Team had been on the representative stage since 2017 and reignited the rivalry between the VFL and SANFL which dates back to the late 1800s.

This year’s match will be broadcast live on the Seven Network and will follow the North Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns AFL match at nearby Barossa Park, providing a footy showcase for the Barossa region.

The third edition of Gather Round… A Festival of Footy will take place in South Australia from April 10-13.

No matches will be played across the Smithy’s VFL and rebel VFLW that weekend to ensure the best players from both competitions are available to represent the ‘Big V’.

More information on team selection, coaching appointments, ticketing and broadcast arrangements for both matches will be confirmed shortly.

AFL Head of State Leagues Jennie Loughnan said:

“We are thrilled to have the best players from the rebel VFLW and Smithy’s VFL coming together to don the ‘Big V’ against our fiercest rivals in the SANFL.

“It was brilliant to have the Smithy’s VFL State Team return to the field in 2024 and we are so excited that the stars of the rebel VFLW have the opportunity to play on the representative stage for the first time.

“It will be a great experience for our best men’s and women’s players to be part of the action during Gather Round and we look forward to having plenty of supporters from our VFL clubs getting behind our men’s and women’s representative teams.

“I would like to thank the SANFL and South Australian government for working with us to expand our representative offering and acknowledge our VFL and VFLW clubs for their support.”

SANFL Executive General Manager Football Matt Duldig said:

“To have both men’s and women’s State Teams take on the VFL and VFLW over one of the biggest weekends of footy in this State, is a fantastic outcome.

“These matches provide a unique opportunity for us to showcase the best talent in the SANFL and SANFLW on a national stage over the Gather Round major event.

“Hosting the inaugural SANFLW vs VFLW game at Alberton Oval, the home of AFLW matches for Port Adelaide, is also a terrific boost for women’s footy in this State.

“Thanks to the support of The Barossa Council, we are thrilled to be able to play the AAMI State Game at the recently redeveloped Tanunda Recreation Park, a great opportunity to also showcase this spectacular venue which was named SANFL’s 2024 Facility of the Year.” 

Mayor of The Barossa Council Bim Lange OAM said:

“We love our footy and the rivalry that goes with it, and the Barossa is definitely the place to be over AFL Gather Round weekend.

“Our investment in first-class facilities at both Tanunda and Lyndoch has been possible thanks to our great partnership with SANFL and the State Government.

“The AAMI State Game will provide a great injection into the Barossa economy, and what better way to showcase our beautiful wine region than a live national broadcast. We look forward to welcoming fans from all corners of the country for a weekend of unforgettable footy.”

2025 AAMI State Game – Women’s

SANFLW vs VFLW
Friday, April 11, 2025
6:30pm local time / 7:00pm AEST
Alberton Oval

2025 AAMI State Game – Men’s

SANFL vs VFL
Saturday, April 12, 2025
2:45pm local time / 3:15pm AEST
Tanunda Recreation Park