The AFL has this week proposed to the GIANTS which players they wish to select for the Victoria vs All-Stars, AFL State of Origin match in aid of the Bushfire Relief and star midfielder Josh Kelly is one of many to put his hand up.

The match will be played at Marvel Stadium on Friday 28^th February following a round four AFLW clash between Collingwood and Melbourne.

Eight players from each of the 18 AFL clubs were identified by the AFL to field both four for the Victorian side and four for the All-Stars. 

The AFL considered factors such as who was in the 2019 All-Australian Squad, club best and fairest results, variance in player types and status of player availability. 

Clubs are required to notify the AFL in the coming weeks which of the eight requested players would be available, if selected, for the match on the final weekend of February. 

Kelly, who was this week named as part of the 2020 leadership group, said it’s an occasion he doesn’t want to miss. 

“It’s definitely something I want to put my hand up for,” said Kelly.

“The opportunity to play for Victoria but more so the occasion of it and to be able to help out as footballers for the devastating bushfires and especially having parts of New South Wales and areas that we look after in Western Sydney and south of Sydney as well.

“To have the ability to be able to give back and hopefully help those affected is something that all players want to do." 

Richmond Tigers coach Damien Hardwick has been given the top job for the Victorians, while Swans coach John Longmire will lead the All-Stars.

Both coaches will select their extended playing list of 27 players, with squads set to be announced on Wednesday 26^th February via AFL.com.au

Final squads will see each club represented by three players each across either of the teams.

All proceeds from tickets sales and any additional donations will go into a Community Relief Fund set up by the AFL to support the local communities in fire affected areas to repair and rebuild their football clubs, including helping footballing families in these impacted communities.
 
This supports the $2.5m already donated by the AFL, its 18 Clubs and AFL / AFLW players through the AFL Players’ Association, to support communities impacted by the bushfires across Australia.
 
A donation of $1 million will go towards immediate relief efforts on the ground through the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund. A further $1.5 million has been contributed into the Community Relief Fund, as identified above, that directly supports the local football clubs and families in these impacted communities nationally.
 
Ticket on-sale details are to be released in the coming days.