World Footy News

The final teams have been named for the Dream Team versus Victoria match tomorrow night (Saturday 10th May) at the MCG. The game pits the Big V against the "best of the rest" under State of Origin rules as a tribute to 150 years of Australian Football.

Given that both SA and WA have had plenty of success against Victoria, the Dream Team with stars from across the nation should probably account for the home side. But pride and (hopefully) a large home crowd cannot be underestimated. Read on to check out the teams and consider the amazing passages of play we could see.

Many have been less than pleased that the AFL did not revive full State of Origin, with states like South Australia and Western Australia keen to resume their relatively successful battles with Victoria. Two weekends were left free in the calendar to accommodate such a return, but the sense was that AFL clubs stymied the plan.

Given that SOO has not returned, the players have embraced the concept, glowing in their enthusiasm for pitting the best against the best. There's no doubt some PR spin in there too, but reports from media from behind the scenes is that the players are genuine. Most of the players to pull out had significant multi-week injuries. If the rain stays away the scene is set for fans to sit back and enjoy what could be the best game of football ever seen. It may not turn out that way, but miss it and you may be disappointed.

Unfortunately the one international player in the initial squads, Tadhg Kennelly, missed the final cut (reportedly due to injury). Still, the game represents the chance to see whether after 150 years there really is more to football than Victoria. Hopefully the Dream Team can find the same passion pulling on the white jumper as the Vics will pulling on the Big V.

TEAMS

Victoria

B: C.Brown, M.Scarlett, D.Milburn
HB: H.Shaw, T.Croad, J.Waite
C: B.Harvey, S.Mitchell, A.Goodes
HF: R.O'Keefe, J.Brown, R.Murphy
F: S.Johnson, B.Fevola, D.Bradshaw
Foll: T.Simmonds, J.Bartel, C.Judd
I/C: J.Fraser, L.Power, P.Chapman, J.Kelly, N.Foley, S.Pendlebury, J.Selwood
EMG: J.Roughead, B.Sewell

Injured: G.Ablett, N.Dal Santo, B.Johnson


Dream Team

B: G.Johncock, B.Rutten, C.Bolton
HB: A.McLeod, M.Pavlich, A.Cooney
C: M.Richardson, D.Kerr, S.Burgoyne
HF: S.Goodwin, C.Mooney, D.Motlop
F: B.Burton, L.Franklin, L.Davis
Foll: D.Cox, P.Burgoyne, K.Cornes
I/C: N.Bock, J.Charman, J.Corey, M.Stokes, B.Kirk, R.Griffen, D.Glass
EMG: N.Bassett, D.Cross, C.Enright

Injured: L.McPharlin, T, Kennelly