The AFL Gather Round initiative is not only a great way to get all eyes on the AFL product at one time, but also a wonderful way for the VFL and SANFL players to get their time to shine in the sun during the festivities of the weekend.
In the lead up to the second clash between the Smithy's VFL state team and the West End state team, comprised of the best of the SANFL competition, Box Hill head coach and VFL state coach Zane Littlejohn spoke exclusively to Zero Hanger.
For Littlejohn, 36, who is in his second year of being head coach of the Smithy's VFL team, it is an honour that is not lost on him.
"It's obviously a great honour and probably something I'll look back on at the end of my coaching journey and be really proud of," Littlejohn said.
"The VFL is a great stepping stone for a lot of players, but also staff and coaches as well.
"It's a nice stepping stone for them to recognise me, to give me the opportunity to lead what will be a very talented group."
Littlejohn is joined by a host of coaches from AFL affiliated and standalone VFL teams and is looking forward to the experience to work with some of the best minds in the VFL competition.
"All these coaches have a great passion for the program and for the VFL itself and what it stands for," he continued.
"We all know what we want to do and what we want to achieve. I am really excited to be working with new people and different people to see how they go about things."
The Gather Round state football showcase provides a focus on the state league and the importance it plays as a pathway for the AFL.
As head coach of the VFL state team, Littlejohn is aware of the importance that this weekend provides for the state league competition.
"The VFL mentioned, yep, we'd love to win, but we'd love to have this program continuously spoken about as the year goes on, whether it's mid-season draft or end of year draft."
The VFL squad of 44 players will be cut to 23 players who will pull on the big V jumper in an experience that will last a lifetime.
With a host of former AFL listed players including Ethan Phillips, Ethan Stanley and Sam Durden, as well as the best of the best VFL listed players including Werribee Vice Captain Dom Brew, selection for the team will be incredibly difficult.
"The reality is that some very good players will miss out, and unfortunately, there will be some quality people who are omitted," Littlejohn said.
"It's a condensed program, it's a one off game, we want to make sure we have a nicely balanced group which I'm positive we will have.
"Part of our selection process is picking great decision makers and guys that can show that they can play a variety of roles and have flexibility."
The state league clash gives VFL players selected another avenue to showcase their talents and was pivotal in assisting Ned Long, Ben Jepson and Jack Henderson to find their way onto an AFL list.
The weekend's opportunity to play with all 18 teams watching on means that the players will have an opportunity to put forth their case for selection in the upcoming AFL mid-season draft, to be held on Wednesday the 28th of May.
"You're playing with the best, and you're playing against the best. It's a great opportunity for them to show their capabilities at the level.
"It's great for recruiters to measure them against others within the competition at VFL level as well as within other state leagues."
The game takes place at Tanunda Recreation Park in the Barossa Valley, where the players will experience playing for the first time in their careers.
With unknown conditions, the Vics will use the Captain's Run on Friday to gain their bearings and become familiar with the ground before Saturday's clash, where they are looking to break a 24 year losing streak to SA.
"It's more about just familiarising themselves with the dimensions of the ground and if there's any breeze and where it will come from and what it will look like."
Last year's VFL team went down to the SANFL state team by 14 points in a ripping encounter and the Vics are wanting to even the ledger, after missing out on victory in last year's inaugural clash.
"I was really proud of the group and how we connected last year and ultimately developed some great memories from it, but one memory that wasn't there was the win, so that's absolutely a focus," the Box Hill Hawks coach said.
"It's been over 6 years since SA have lost a state game, so a great challenge, looking forward to it but a win to top it off would be nice for sure," commented Littlejohn.
The AAMI State Game takes place on Saturday afternoon at 2:45 pm ACST and will be broadcast live on 7 Mate.
