The Victorian Football League (VFL) has today announced a 50-player rebel VFLW State Team squad ahead of its inaugural representative match in April, with Geelong star Poppy Schaap among those selected in the initial squad. 

The rebel VFLW State Team will represent the ‘Big V’ when they take on the SANFL Women’s State Team at Alberton Oval on Friday, April 11 during the AFL’s Gather Round. It will be the first time since the rebel VFLW was established in 2017 that a women’s representative team will take the field.

Poppy Schaap has been recognised after a strong run of form for Geelong's VFLW side, finishing third in the club's best and fairest award in 2024. 

The crafty Cat averaged over 16 disposals and seven tackles per game last year, laying 10 or more tackles on three different occasions. 

Highlights from the 2024 season for Schaap included her superb performance against Carlton (19 disposals, 10 tackles, two goals) in round one, and a dominant display against Box Hill (26 disposals, nine tackles) later in the season. 

Schaap will also return to the Geelong VFLW Leadership Group in 2025, set to support new captain, Mel Staunton in her first season as leader of the team. 

The rebel VFLW State Team squad features many of the best VFLW-listed players from across the competition, with all 12 rebel VFLW clubs represented. Players who are injured were not selected in the initial squad, however players can still be added from outside the squad of 50 when the final squad of 21 players to represent the ‘Big V’ is announced.

The rebel VFLW State Team coaching panel was revealed last month, with North Melbourne VFLW premiership coach Brett Gourley appointed head coach.

View the 50-player rebel VFLW State Team squad below.

2025 AAMI State Game
rebel VFLW State Team vs SANFLW State Team
Friday, April 11, 2025
6:30pm local / 7:00pm AEST
Alberton Oval