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AFLCommunityChallengeTwo champion coaches will go head-to-head next month as they prepare to lead the best senior players from across the state in the 2016 AFL Victoria Community Cup.

The Victoria Country vs. Victoria Metro representative game will also be the last hurrah for one of football’s most revered names.

Hawthorn legend Peter Knights will lead the Vic Country team for a final time when his side takes on Vic Metro at Preston City Oval on July 10.

199-game Footscray legend Brian Royal will take charge of the Metro team, and paid homage to the Vic Country coach for his loyal tenure.

“I actually played against Peter, and I’ve coached against him, and he’s just a legend of the game,” said Royal.

“It’s an absolute honour and a pleasure to coach against a guy of Peter’s standard, and it’s a shame he’s not going to continue.”

After nearly 20-years at the helm of Victorian country football at senior and junior level, Knights believes it’s time for a fresh face.

“It’s time for a new head,” Knights said, “maybe someone younger with new ideas to do things a bit differently.”

“It’s been a fantastic experience, and it’s a fantastic opportunity for the best of Vic Country to play against the best of Vic Metro.”

Keen to rectify the ledger after losing to Metro by 38-points when the sides last met in 2014, Knights is confident this year’s Vic Country side can reclaim bragging rights.

“It’s a totally different squad, a totally different game and totally different circumstances,” Knights said.

“This group will be prepared to give a really good account of themselves when we take on Vic Metro on July 10.”

Despite clinching the win in the last Vic Country vs. Vic Metro clash two years ago, Metro coach Brian Royal believes a fresh crop of players for both sides will make for an intriguing contest.

“We don’t take anything away from the win two years ago,” Royal said, “I’ve been following the country leagues and they have some very strong players.”

“I’ve got no doubt from what I’ve seen that it’s going to be a hard fought game.”

With preliminary squads for both sides announced earlier this month, both coaches are excited to have the best players from across Victoria representing Country and Metro.

“To be one of around 40 players selected to represent Vic Country is a massive honour, and this will be the ultimate professional environment for them,” Knights said.

“It’s the pride of Country and Metro and deciding who’s best, and hopefully we can get the win because that’s what it’s all about,” Royal said.

Some of country Victoria’s best young talent will also be on show on July 10, with the curtain raiser match between the Energy Safe Victoria Country U19 squad and the VAFA U19s kicking off at 11:15am ahead of the Seniors at 2pm.

By Kate Withers