Coach Peter Knights and his team of selectors have named a 26-man WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country squad ahead of this Saturday's Metro v Country blockbuster.

The hugely anticipated AFL Victoria Community Cup clash at Simonds Stadium at 4.00pm sees the best of country Victoria face off against the might of a combined team of Melbourne's premier community leagues.

Twenty six players remain in the running to represent the AFL Victoria Country No.1 side in the ultimate showdown between the bush and burbs, with two emergencies to be named at the squad's final training on Wednesday night.

The Country Squad has trained for the four consecutive Sundays in Melbourne but Knights said it was about creating a bond rather than focusing on a implementing a game plan.

"When the players have all driven upwards of three hours to be there and usually played a game the day before, it's no use getting them to focus on game plans and that sort of thing," he said.

"It's about getting to know each other developing some camaraderie."

The team's leadership group, including captain and vice-captain will also be announced following the Wednesday night training.

The players will then meet in Geelong on Friday to begin preparations for the historic match.

On the same day as the AFL Victoria Community Cup, the GrainCorp AFL Victoria Country No.2 team will face a representative team from the Victorian Amateur Football Association's Premier B to Division 4 competitions.

And, the EnergySafe Victoria Country U19 team will tackle a U19 VAFA team. Both matches will be played at the St Albans Football Club ground in Geelong.

WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country No.1 Squad – to be cut to 24 before Saturday.

Coach Peter Knights

Article first appeared www.aflvic.com.au July 7, 2014