Box Hill is well represented in the Smithy’s VFL State Team squad with Callum Porter, Ethan Stanley, Kye Declase and Sam Durdin all named among the league’s best.

The 43-player squad has been unveiled ahead of the clash with SANFL in the 2025 AAMI State Game which will be played at Tanunda Recreation Park in the Barossa on Saturday 12 April, during the AFL's Gather Round.

Declase and Porter are two of eight players who represented the VFL in last year’s clash named in this year’s squad.

Porter was one of two Box Hill representatives in the State Team in 2024. The Hawks skipper has started his 2025 campaign strong, leading the Hawks to a four-point victory over Carlton just last week, finishing with one goal, 16 disposals and nine contested possessions.

Stanley played his first game back with Box Hill in Round 1 this year after a stint on Fremantle’s AFL list. Upon return to the Mustangs, Stanley collected 18 disposals, seven inside 50s and four score involvements.

Declase joined the Hawks from Werribee ahead of the 2025 season. He played 57 VFL games with the Tigers, including their 2023 Grand Final appearance. In his club debut for Box Hill last week, Declase managed 25 disposals, 11 marks and four inside 50s.

Durdin has yet to pull on the brown and gold but bodes as a prized recruit for the Hawks. The former AFL-listed Blue performed well in his 24 VFL matches with Carlton reserves. The defender is known for his intercept and contested marking ability.

The Smithy’s VFL State Team will be looking to bounce back in the 2025 AAMI State Game after falling to the SANFL State Team by 14 points in last year’s clash.

Box Hill Senior Coach and Hawthorn Development Coach, Zane Littlejohn was reappointed as the VFL State Team head coach for a second year.

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 / 3:15pm AEST
Tanunda Recreation Park