Three Hawks have been named in the Smithy’s VFL State Team squad ahead of next week’s clash with South Australia.
Box Hill's Trent Bianco, Kye Declase, and Brodie McLaughlin have been included in the 43-player squad in contention to don the Big V.
The VFL State Team will represent Victoria against the SANFL State Team as part of Gather Round in a representation double header at Stratarama Oval on Saturday 11 April from 2.30pm, following the women’s match at 12noon.
Bianco represented the Big V in the 2024 state game. In his second season with Box Hill, he's been a versatile and reliable addition to the line-up. The 25-year-old finished third in the 2025 Col Austen Trophy best and fairest count. He’s shown promise in the early portion of this season, averaging a goal, 20.5 disposals and three clearances in 2026 to date.
Declase will be looking to return to South Australia to represent the Vics, having played in the VFL State Team last year. The versatile wingman was named in the 2025 VFL Team of the Year following a stellar first season in brown and gold. The 29-year-old has averaged 19.5 disposals, five marks and 1.5 clearances for the season after two rounds.
McLaughlin joined the Hawks from Williamstown ahead of the 2026 season. The 28-year-old is the reigning Frosty Miller Medallist (league leading goal kicker), a member of the 2025 Team of the Year and also represented Victoria in last year's State Team. The star forward made his club debut against the Cats on Friday night, managing a team-high three goals, 10 disposals and five marks in his first game of the season.
The final team will be announced on Sunday.
