While the primary focus will be to raise money for the Ponting Foundation, the teams representing Tasmania’s AFL tenants Hawthorn and North Melbourne are both packed with players who know how to win.

Ponting’s Roos outfit will include Glenn Archer, Brent Harvey, Anthony Stevens and Mick Martyn who were all part of the dominant 1999 Premiership side plus North’s director of coaching Darren Crocker who played in the 1996 flag win.

Meanwhile the Hawks side, led by Ponting’s BBL co-commentator Damien Fleming, will include Premiership stars Grant Birchall, Isaac Smith, Jarryd Roughead, Luke Hodge and Jack Gunston and coach Alastair Clarkson.

Australian pace bowlers Peter Siddle and John Hastings will also add spice to the teams while Ponting’s state teammates George Bailey and Tim Paine will umpire and current Kangaroos captain Jack Ziebell will join his illustrious predecessors.

Urging his fellow Tasmanians to buy tickets through Ticketmaster or at the gate, the Mowbray batsman and Australia’s all-time leading run-scorer said: “We’ve got a big day coming up in my home town.

“We’ve had a few injury concerns but have a few of the old boys there.”

Predictably, Fleming was a little more confident in his prediction for the contest.

“I’ve already written my winning speech,” said the former Aussie quick and self-anointed bowlologist.

“It’s going to be a shame for the Hawks to win another game in Launceston.”

More than 7000 tickets have been sold for the game with 10,000 expected for the 7pm start on Friday.

All proceeds from the game will stay in Tasmania and be distributed by the Ponting Foundation into its cancer and health related projects throughout the state.

Ponting will be attending the City of Launceston City Park barbecue from midday on Australia Day.