The famous football rivalry between the SANFL and VFL is set to continue this weekend, with men’s and women’s representative teams to clash in South Australia.
The 2025 AAMI State Games will feature as part of an action-packed weekend of football festivities during the AFL’s Gather Round
The best players from the rebel VFLW will represent the ‘Big V’ when they take on the SANFL Women’s State Team at Alberton Oval on Friday, April 11 from 6:30pm local.
It will be the first time since the rebel VFLW was established in 2017 that a women’s representative team will take the field.
The men’s clash 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 local.
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.
This year’s match will be broadcast live on the Seven Network and will follow the North Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns AFL match at nearby Barossa Park, providing a footy showcase for the Barossa region.
Final teams to represent the rebel VFLW State Team and Smithy’s VFL State Team will be announced on Thursday evening.
2025 AAMI STATE GAME – WOMEN’S
SANFL West End State Team vs Smithy’s VFL State Team
Friday, April 11, 2025
6:30pm local / 7:00pm AEST
Alberton Oval
BROADCAST DETAILS
• Live stream at AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App
• View live stats on the SANFL App match centre
TICKETS
• FREE entry to game
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
• The Precinct at Alberton will be open for meals and drinks, with food trucks also available on the night
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
MATCH AND BROADCAST DETAILS
• Broadcast live and free on 7Mate and 7plus
• Live stream at AFL.com.au and the AFL Live Official App
• View live stats on the SANFL App match centre
TICKETS
• Tickets $15 adult and $10 concession, under 18s FREE.
• Pre-purchase tickets to the AAMI State Game hereor at the gate.
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
• Full canteen facilities available at Tanunda Recreation Park
• Tanunda Football Club barbecue
• Full bar facilities available
GAME DAY ACTIVITIES
The Advertiser Family Zone
• Giant lawn games
• Putt putt
• SANFL inflatable goals with Sherrin footies to kick
Chill Out Zone
• AAMI Lucky Zone – chance to win a $100 EFTPOS voucher
• Health Partners seats
• SANFL Bean bags and lounges
GETTING THERE
The AAMI State Game is the perfect opportunity to not only see the best of the SANFL and the VFL but also immerse yourself in the festival atmosphere of Gather Round in the Barossa.
In a win for all fans heading to the Barossa, multiple transport options are available for those attending the State Game.
Free Public Transport
All AFL and State game match day ticket holders can catch FREE public transport from Adelaide to Barossa Park, via the Gawler train line and then Gawler-Lyndoch shuttle bus.
There is also a free City-Lyndoch bus shuttle, dropping fans at Barossa Park. There are no direct buses running between Adelaide and Tanunda.
For all public transport details for Saturday visit Gather Round: North Melbourne vs Gold Coast Suns – Adelaide Metro
Free Shuttle in the Barossa
A free Tanunda bus shuttle will operate before and after the Gold Coast v North Melbourne match at Barossa Park, Lyndoch – taking fans directly to Tanunda.
After the AFL match, just catch the shuttle to Tanunda Recreation Park (a 5-minute walk from temporary stop Basedow Rd) to watch the State game.
Travelling by car – Park ‘n’ Ride
Fans driving to the Barossa to see the AAMI State Game are encouraged to park at any of the Tanunda Park ‘n’ Ride locations, with the free shuttle service taking you to and from the game running until 6.30pm.
(Note that street parking around the Tanunda Recreation Park is limited.)
Park ‘n’ Ride pick up locations:
• Faith Lutheran College: 130 Magnolia Road, Tanunda
• Tanunda Primary School: 25 Research Road, Tanunda
• Temporary Stop: Basedow Road, Tanunda (between rail line and back of the Barossa regional gallery, no parking pick up only)
• Tanunda Caravan Park (no parking, pick up only): 1F Murray Street, Tanunda
Faith Lutheran College and Tanunda Primary School will be the closet Park ‘n’ Ride options for the Tanunda Recreation Park, where there is plenty of parking available at both schools.
Bounce Around the Barossa service
Bounce Around the Barossa also offers a free hop-on, hop-off service across the Barossa region, including Tanunda, from Thursday to Sunday.
BAROSSA FOOD AND WINE VILLAGE
For fans eager to experience the best of the Barossa after the SANFL v VFL State Game, Tanunda will come alive with the Barossa Food & Wine Village.
The heart of town will be closed to traffic from 3pm to 9pm and transformed into a thriving village celebrating everything our region does best.
There will be a buzz of energy as local restaurants, cafes and bars spill onto the street and themed zones burst into life with live music, kids’ entertainment, a live footy viewing zone, immersive cultural experiences and more!
Blending footy, food and wine, the Barossa Food & Wine Village will feature local restaurants, cellar doors, distillers, activities for the kids and a jumbo big screen showing all the action.
The fun continues with the free Picnic in the Park at the Tanunda Recreation Park on Sunday, 13 April, from 11am to 4pm.
For all transport information and what’s happening in the Barossa visit Gather Round in the Barossa | South Australia
