THE AFL will recognise the efforts of people who have helped the bushfire relief effort by inviting local emergency service representatives to toss the coin at Marsh Community Series matches. 

Members of organisations such as the Rural Fire Service, Country Fire Authority, St John Ambulance, Red Cross and State Emergency Service will be given the opportunity to be coin-tossers before each game in the pre-season competition. 

This mark of respect is the latest bushfire-related initiative by the AFL, which has established a community relief fund to help fire-affected communities to repair and rebuild their football clubs. 

HELPING HAND How your club is aiding the bushfire relief efforts

The League will also stage a State of Origin Bushfire Relief game between Victoria and the All Stars at Marvel Stadium on Friday, February 28.

STATE OF ORIGIN TEAMS Check out the star-laden Vic v All-Stars squads

"The AFL industry has been really strong in supporting the bushfire relief to date and the opportunity to have emergency service representatives toss the coin at Marsh Community Series matches is just another way we are able to recognise the brave men and women who have supported communities during the bushfire crisis," the AFL's general manager of commercial, Kylie Rogers, said. 

Throughout the first week of the Marsh Community Series, volunteers will collect donations for the AFL's Community Relief fund.