Squads Locked In for Sydney/Canberra

AFL NSW/ACT has today confirmed the coaches and players selected for 2025’s highly anticipated Senior Representative match against Tasmania in Hobart on Saturday 19 July.

The match-up against Tasmania has become a highlight of the Representative football season, with NSW/ACT defeating the Apple Isle’s teams across both Men’s and Women’s games last year.

Now, NSW/ACT have released the handpicked squad list featuring players from across the AFL Sydney and AFL Canberra competitions to defend their reign against Tasmania and showcase the state and territory’s burgeoning footy talent on the pathway to the elite level.

Head of AFL NSW/ACT Andrew Varasdi said: “The NSW/ACT Representative games against Tasmania have quickly become a highly anticipated moment on the annual fixture.

“It’s a showcase of the state and territory’s best as they come together to take on the formidable Tasmanian side.

“Our Men’s and Women’s teams embody the depth and strength of AFL in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, and we look forward to watching their performance in Hobart.”

 

The squad lists for the Men’s and Women’s matchups features over sixty players from clubs across New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. 

Notable Names – Men’s Squad (AFL Sydney/Canberra):

Joshua Bruce (Eastlake AFC) 
163 AFL games (GWS, St Kilda, Western Bulldogs)
Leading goal kicker for St Kilda (2015) and Western Bulldogs (2021)
Local Canberra junior

Alex Witherden (Sydney University) 
121 AFL games (Brisbane Lions, West Coast Eagles)

Jackson Nelson (North Shore Bombers) 
102 AFL games (West Coast Eagles)
Local North Shore junior

Ryan O’Keefe (Head Coach) 
286 AFL games, 261 goals (Sydney Swans)
Premiership player (2005, 2012), Norm Smith Medallist (2012), All-Australian (2006)
Former Adelaide Crows development and SANFL coach (2015–2018)

Notable Names – Women’s Squad (AFL Sydney/Canberra): 

Aimee Whelan (UNSW-ES Bulldogs) 
16 AFLW games (Sydney Swans)

Jayde Hamilton (Queanbeyan Tigers) 
2023 Bainrot Medallist
Sister of AFLW Swans players Cynthia and Lexie Hamilton

Hannah Woolf (Manly Warringah Wolves)
2024 Mostyn Medallist (AFL Sydney Best & Fairest)

Kristie Whittard (Head Coach) 
Sydney Swans Academy Coach

See links below for full squad lists and coaching panel 
Men’s NSW/ACT Squad and Coaching Panel
Women’s NSW/ACT Squad and Coaching Panel

 

Fans, family and friends will be able to catch all the action from the NSW/ACT Men’s and Women’s Representative matches against Tasmania live and FREE via AFL Sydney’s official streaming partner, Streamer.

A short documentary following the 2024 NSW/ACT Senior Representative squad during last year’s representative match against Tasmania is streaming on AFL On Demand, which can be viewed here.

 

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Match details: 
AFL NSW/ACT v AFL Tasmania 
Date: Saturday, 19 July
Venue: North Hobart Oval
Match times: Women’s commencing at 12.00pm and Men’s at 2.15pm
Watch: Live via Streamer