Two-time North Melbourne Werribee premiership coach Brett Gourley and Frankston coach Jackson Kornberg will lead the VFLW and VFL in this year's State Games against the SANFL.

Gourley will continue as head coach of the VFLW State Team after last year steering the side to victory in its inaugural representative match.

Korrnberg takes the reins of the Smithy’s VFL State Team from Zane Littlejohn, who spent two years in the role before joining North Melbourne as assistant coach of strategy last September.

The best of the VFL and SANFL will battle it out in a blockbuster double-header at Glenelg's Stratarama Stadium during Gather Round.

The 2026 State Games will feature as part of South Australia's annual week of football festivities, with both women's and men's representatives clashes to be held on Saturday, April 11.

The women's match will take place from 12:00pm ACST, followed by the men's match from 2:30pm ACST.

Gourley's reappointment as head coach of the VFLW State Team follows last year's historic 27-point victory over the SANFLW in the VFLW’s inaugural representative match, which was played under lights at Alberton Oval.

He then guided North Melbourne Werribee to premiership glory for the second time in August, with the Kangaroos becoming just the second team in VFLW history to defend a premiership.

Gourley said it was a privilege to lead the VFLW State Team again in 2026.

"It's such an honour to be able to lead the State Team again and I am really proud of the fact that I've been given the opportunity to lead this group again," Gourley said.

"Last year I thought the girls did a brilliant job on a short turnaround. To get up and play really good footy was fantastic and it was really nice to come away with a win.

"I think this is a game that should really challenge our players and the standard will absolutely stretch them. That's what it's designed to do. My aim is to really showcase each and every one of their strengths as individuals, but also as a group as well."

Box Hill Hawks assistant Steph Binder will again feature in this year’s VFLW State Team coaching panel, with Tasmania coach Georgia Walker and Port Melbourne coach Tom Chitsos also appointed as assistants.

Kornberg was part of the Smithy's VFL State Team coaching group last year, serving as an assistant as the VFL tasted success over the SANFL for the first time since 2002 with an 11-point triumph at Tanunda Recreation Park.

He has served as head coach of Frankston for the past two seasons, having previously coached the Gold Coast SUNS during the 2022 VFL season.

In 2024 he led the Dolphins to their first finals appearance in 16 years, culminating in a thrilling come-from-behind Wildcard Final win over reigning premiers the Gold Coast SUNS, before steering them to a preliminary final last year.

Kornberg said it was a great honour to be appointed coach of the Smithy's VFL State Team.

"There's obviously a lot of really quality coaches around the VFL, so I'm really excited to take on the big responsibility and carry on the great work that Zane's done the last couple of years," Kornberg said.

"Having been involved last year, you see a real sense of fulfilment from the players to get recognised for their efforts through the year.

"But more importantly, we're obviously here to win. Getting the win last year against the SANFL was a really great memory that the boys will now share forever.

"We're aiming to do the exact same thing this year and come away victors, so I'm really looking forward it."

Kornberg will be assisted by Werribee coach Dan Lowther, Essendon’s Cameron Joyce and GWS GIANTS development coach Trent Dennis-Lane.

More information on team selection, ticketing and broadcast arrangements will be confirmed shortly.

2026 State Game - Women's
SANFLW vs VFLW
Saturday, April 11
12:00pm local | 12:30pm AEST
Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg

2026 State Game - Men's
SANFL vs VFL
Saturday, April 11
2:30pm local | 3:00pm AEST
Stratarama Stadium, Glenelg