Brisbane Lions VFL-listed players Ewan Macpherson and Kyle Dunkley have been named in a 50-man to take on the SANFL during AFL Gather Round in April.
Dunkley, who joined AFL-listed brother Josh at the Club in 2023, played a key role both as an inside and outside midfielder for the Lions last season.
Booting a goal in each of the three finals he played in for Brisbane last year, Dunkley averaged 18 touches in 19 outings during his first year in Lions colours.
Former Foostcray midfielder, Macpherson, joined the Lions over the off-season and had impressed the coaching staff already this year.
A consistent performer for the Bulldogs in 2023, Macpherson has been rewarded with selection to tackle their South Australian counterparts.
“We are wrapped for the boys to be selected to represent the Club in such a historic rivalry in our sport,” VFL Coach, Ben Hudson said.
“It is a credit to their consistency, Kyle played a great role for us last year and Ewan, who only just joined us, was really good for the Dogs in 2023 and we are keen to see what he can do in a Lions jumper.
“It demonstrates that depth we have in our VFL group at the moment and it is exciting to see that with the season only days away.”
The Smithy’s VFL State Team coaching panel was announced last month, with Hudson announced as an assistant coach.
Leading the highly experienced coaching panel for the match will be Zane Littlejohn from Box Hill and will be supported by current-serving coaches Steve Daniel (Southport Sharks) and Adam Skrobalak (Port Melbourne).
The Smithy’s VFL State Team squad features many of the best VFL-listed players from across the competition, with 19 of the 21 clubs represented. AFL-listed players, including rookie-listed players, are not eligible to be selected.
A final squad of 23 players to represent the ‘Big V’ in the league’s first representative appearance in seven years will be announced closer to the match.
Players from outside the squad of 50 will still be eligible for selection in the final squad, with form across the opening two rounds of the 2024 Smithy’s VFL season to be taken into consideration.
