Zane Littlejohn will continue as head coach of the Smithy’s VFL State Team in 2025.

The Box Hill Hawks senior coach and Hawthorn development coach steered the VFL in its return to representative football last year and will retain the coaching reins in 2025.

This year’s AAMI State Game 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 as part of the AFL’s Gather Round.

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.

It 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.

Littlejohn said he was thrilled by the opportunity to coach the Smithy’s VFL State Team again.

“I'm stoked and really looking forward to trying to make amends for last year,” Littlejohn said.

“Ever since the final siren went in last year's game, I've had a bit of an itch.

“I was really, really proud of that group and all the staff involved in what we were able to do in such a short period of time, but I still had that burning desire to win.

“When I got the news that I was going to coach again, it really excited me to try and put those things in place that we probably didn't quite get right last time. I think they are really easy fits and hopefully will show out on the field.”

Littlejohn said the AAMI State Game would again give the competition’s best players an opportunity to showcase their talent on one of the biggest weekends on the football calendar.

Ned Long, Ben Jepson and Jack Henderson have all been selected by AFL clubs since representing the Smithy’s VFL State Team last year, while Dom Brew, Jack Watkins and Brayden Crossley were invited to train for SSP spots over the summer.

“That's why you have these programs available for people who aren't yet on AFL lists or are still aspiring to be on AFL lists,” Littlejohn said.

“I think it's great and I guess it's one of the things that when we were looking at selecting a squad last year, we were taking into consideration players who might attract some interest with a solid performance in a State Game.

“We've had a few from the VFL end, but also the SANFL end as well, which is really exciting and speaks volumes of the programs.

“Gather Round is by far one of the best weekends of footy on the calendar. And for us to play just a small part in that and for our players in the VFL to experience a bit of it is pretty amazing.

“Rep footy is something I think that is really important to give these players who work 9-5 and try to play at the highest standard footy they can.

“It's a great little reward for them to try and strive to play at the highest level they can. Some have been to AFL level, but it's still really nice for them to come back and pull on the 'Big V' and represent their league.”

The remainder of the coaching panel will be announced shortly, followed by a Smithy’s VFL State Team squad announcement.

2025 AAMI State Game – Men’s
Smithy’s VFL State Team vs SANFL’s West End State Team
Saturday, April 12, 2025
2:45pm local time / 3:15pm AEST
Tanunda Recreation Park

2025 AAMI State Game – Women's
A new chapter in the long-standing rivalry between the VFL and SANFL will be written during Gather Round, with women’s representative teams from the VFLW and SANFLW set to clash for the first time. The match will be played at Alberton Oval on Friday, April 11 from 6:30pm ACST.