AFL players selected in Saturday night's AFL Hall of Fame 150th Anniversary tribute game have donated their match fees to three groups to the tune of a quarter of a million dollars, including a donation of $100,000 to RecLink Australia.

The donation of $5,000 per player in match fees to three causes by the 50 players to feature in the Hall of Game tribute game was announced by AFLPA Executive Committee Member Luke Power, AFLPA Club Delegate Matthew Pavlich and AFLPA CEO Brendon Gale.

The other beneficiaries of the players' match payments include:

Homeless youth via the Ladder Program

Former VFL / AFL players via the AFLPA Past Player Hardship Fund

RecLink Australia, a provider of sporting and recreational opportunities for disadvantaged people will receive $50,000 to develop 18 football teams across 4 regions in the Central Desert of Australia.

According to RecLink CEO Adrian Panozzo (pictured alongside RecLink's Peter Cullen, with Matthew Pavlich and Luke Power), "By creating a football team in a remote community you're effectively giving that community another way to express their identity. By having football played in these communities develops a sense of pride and involvement that can't otherwise be created. The sense of anticipation that a community feels in the days leading up to a match creates a positive purpose amongst those who would otherwise be disconnected or have to leave their community to simply play or watch a game of football."

Triple Premiership Brisbane Lion & AFLPA Executive Committee Member Luke Power, who will represent Victoria in Saturday's game, was pleased that the current crop of AFL stars was able to make a meaningful contribution to the three organisations to receive funding.

"The Hall of Fame game is a terrific way for current players to pay tribute to those players to have come before us as well as provide some serious funding to the Past Player Hardship Fund, Ladder and RecLink. All three groups are doing some great things within the community and we're pleased that as players we can provide a tangible benefit to help with their valuable work." Power said.

ABOUT THE THREE PROJECTS TO RECEIVE A DONATION

RecLink - $50,000
RecLink is a not-for-profit charitable organisation which provides access to sporting and recreational opportunities for disadvantaged people. This year, RecLink will facilitate 28 homeless and disadvantaged teams participating in organised competitions across Victoria and the Northern Territory.

While it is widely known that Australian Football is popular throughout Indigenous communities - their love of the game is not always easily translated into participation. For those living in remote communities the real opportunity to play often involves many hours of travel and sometime days away from home. RecLink Australia has already developed successful partnerships in a number of communities. Combined and with the support of the AFLPA, RecLink will develop a total of 18 teams established in 4 regions in the Central Desert of Australia. Their unique competition culminates in each team playing in a Grand Final in a celebration of football, indigenous culture and community.

Ladder - to receive $100,000
Ladder is the AFLPA / AFL Foundation initiative harnessing the power of AFL players to help tackle youth homelessness. Ladder is working towards providing integrated housing, employment, education, and mentoring services for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, so that they may develop independent living skills and community connections. Ladder facilities are planned for introduction into Melbourne & Adelaide with the hope that the system goes national in the future.

The AFL player donated money will assist Ladder train selected AFL players to deliver mentoring to young homeless people involved in the program.

The AFLPA Hardship Fund - to receive $100,000
The AFLPA Past Player Hardship fund offers assistance to former AFL / VFL players who have health related hardships. Financial assistance is channelled through each clubs' past player group and is governed by the AFLPA Past Players Advisory Board, chaired by AFLPA Executive Committee Member Simon Madden.

Since its inception, the Fund has distributed over $80,000 to a number of former VFL / AFL players Australia wide.