GIANT venue to host 2025 Junior representative football

Junior Representative Football returns in 2025 with the exciting news that Corroboree Group Manuka Oval, Canberra will play host to the interleague matches between AFL Sapphire Coast and AFL Central West.

The premier AFL facility of Canberra, and host of four annual GWS GIANTS fixtures, will be used as the two regional leagues’ best players compete for glory on Saturday July 5.

Across the day of action, the leagues will compete in Under-13s, Under-15s Boys, Under-17s Boys and Under-17s Girls matches showcasing the strength of talent both regions offer.

AFL Central West have moved away from representative football in previous seasons, with only their Youth Girls representing at the 2023 Shoalhaven Junior Carnival. This season also marks a return to representative football for the Sapphire Coast’s Under-15s and Under-17s teams, after only the Under-13s side participated in 2024.

Casey White, Community Football & Competition Manager for both participating leagues was thrilled to secure the premier venue for this season. “Representative opportunities are such an integral part of junior sport. We are excited to see a full-scale return to the junior representative concept this season and look forward to July 5 when the two regions clash.”

“To gain access to Corroboree Group Manuka Oval, a venue that very few community level players get to play on, is an incredible result for the Sapphire Coast and Central West. This will further professionalise the weekend and create an unforgettable experience the players, their families and their teams’ support staff.”

Further to the interleague matches, AFL Sapphire Coast will remain in Canberra, to take on local AFL Canberra clubs the following day. The two leagues are still managing the logistics of these matches, balancing around currently fixtured AFL Canberra Junior matches, and once finalised, game details will be published.

“We have already had interest from one AFL Canberra club with three of their teams willing to play on the Sunday” Mr White said. “We are supremely confident that another club will fill the void and get all four representative sides a match on the Sunday.”

Following the weekend’s representative matches, both leagues’ GWS GIANTS Development Squad representatives will travel to Blacktown for the next phase of intra-squad matches as they vie for a place in their respective Super 24 Squads.

Game Day Fixture at Manuka Oval
Date	Time	Grade	Team A	Team B
Sat 5 July	9:30am	Under-13s Mixed	AFL Sapphire Coast	AFL Central West
Sat 5 July	11:00am	Under-15s Boys	AFL Sapphire Coast	AFL Central West
Sat 5 July	12:30pm	Under-17s Girls	AFL Sapphire Coast	AFL Central West
Sat 5 July	2:00pm	Under-17s Boys	AFL Sapphire Coast	AFL Central West