The AFL has confirmed a representative charity match between Victoria and an All-Stars side to raise funds for communities affected by the bushfire crisis and kicked in a $2.5 million donation.

The game will take place at Marvel Stadium on the evening of Friday, February 28.

Richmond premiership coach Damien Hardwick will guide the Victorians and Sydney’s John Longmire will coach the All-Stars.

All clubs will be asked to make at least three players available for the match, with the selection process still to be determined.

The fixture will be a double-header with the AFLW match between Collingwood and Melbourne, scheduled for the same day, which will be moved from Victoria Park to Marvel Stadium.

The proceeds will be split between the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund and a Community Relief Fund set up the AFL to help rebuild football facilities destroyed by bushfires.

The AFL, the clubs and AFL Players Association combined to get the ball rolling with a $2.5 million donation.

“Our clubs, players and officials have been unanimous in providing a response that could not only raise money but also recognise the local communities impacted,” AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said.

“And most importantly pay tribute to those thousands of volunteers and emergency services personnel who have worked tirelessly to protect us as a community.”

West Coast’s pre-season series clash with Essendon at Lathlain Park scheduled on the same date as the charity match has been moved to the previous day.

The last time the AFL staged a similar representative game was in 2008 when Victoria played the Dream Team in the Hall of Fame Tribute match at the MCG, with the last State of Origin match played in 1999.

In 2009, the AFL played a fundraising match between Essendon and the Western Bulldogs to support victims of the Black Saturday bushfires, raising $1.2 million.