The AFL has today announced the coaching panels for the State of Origin match for bushfire relief.

Dual Richmond Premiership Coach Damien Hardwick will lead Victoria and will be joined by fourtime Premiership and Hawthorn Senior Coach Alastair Clarkson, Collingwood’s Robert Harvey, Gold Coast’s Dean Solomon and Richmond’s Adam Kingsley.

Sydney Premiership Coach John Longmire will lead the All-Stars and will be joined by Gold Coast SUNS Senior Coach Stuart Dew, Port Adelaide’s Michael Voss, GWS Giants’ Mark McVeigh, Western Bulldogs Joel Corey and Sydney Swans’ Dean Cox.

Victoria

All-Stars

AFL General Manager Football – Steve Hocking said the wealth of experience of both coaching panels further demonstrated the club’s passion to make the event a successful one for all affected by the bushfires.

“Since we announced the event, the buy-in from the clubs, players and coaches, from both the AFLW and AFL competitions, has been exceptional.” Mr Hocking said.

“We are coming together for an important event and raise valuable funds, and I know that when the ball is bounced the competitive juices of these coaches will kick in and we will get a great contest.”

The playing squads will be announced on Tuesday 18 February at 12:00pm exclusively on www.afl.com.au and through the AFL App with thanks to Telstra.

The double header event at Marvel Stadium on February 28 will see Collingwood vs Melbourne in an NAB AFL Women’s match followed by Victoria vs the All Stars, State of Origin match.