SANFL and VFL rivalry set for historic new chapter over Gather Round

The famous rivalry between South Australia and Victoria is set to strengthen with best of the SANFL and SANFLW set to clash with the Big V in a State football showcase during this year’s AFL Gather Round…A Festival of Footy.

The SANFL men’s West End State team will host its arch-rival in the second year of the AAMI State Game, this time at Tanunda Recreation Park in the Barossa on Saturday, April 12 at 2:45pm.

The AAMI State Game – to be broadcast live on 7mate – will follow the North Melbourne v Gold Coast AFL match at nearby Barossa Park at Lyndoch, providing a footy feast for the Barossa region.

In an historic first, the SANFLW State team – fresh off its inaugural victory against the WAFLW last year – will host the VFLW team under lights at Alberton Oval on Friday April 11 from 6:30pm.

The Women’s AAMI State Game, to be live streamed on SANFL Now, will be the first time the two Women’s State Leagues have met since their 2017 establishment, ensuring state pride will be on the line for the inaugural contest.

The SANFLW side, to be coached again this year by Crows AFLW assistant Courtney Cramey, will be looking to replicate its success earned with a 16-point win against the WAFLW in Perth last year.

The men’s West End State team boasts an admirable record against the VFL, winning seven of its past eight meetings, its only loss coming in 2002 at Adelaide Oval.

Last year it overcame the VFL by 14 points at Glenelg’s Stratarama Stadium during Gather Round.

The SANFL is expected to announce the successor to outgoing State coach Jade Rawlings in the coming weeks, with the Norwood premiership coach now an assistant coach with the Fremantle Dockers.

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 v 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.”

AFL Head of State Leagues Jennie Loughnan said: 

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

“It was brilliant to have the VFL State Team return to the field in 2024 and we are so excited that the stars of the 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.’’

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.”

More information on ticketing, broadcast and streaming for both matches also will be confirmed shortly.