Fledgling AFL side Greater Western Sydney and the Western Bulldogs will play for the Prime Minister’s Cup in Canberra on Saturday.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard, an ardent support of the Bulldogs and the club’s No.1 ticket holder, will be on hand at Manuka Oval to present the new trophy to the winning team on the weekend.

“Australia’s political leaders, regardless of their political persuasion, have keenly followed our uniquely Australian game and like the Prime Ministers XI cricket match this will become an annual event in Canberra,” Gillard said in a statement.

“I cant think of a better match to kick off the Prime Ministers Cup than the AFL’s newest club, the Giants, playing against the Western Bulldogs and I hope supporters from both clubs and AFL fans generally will support it.”

GWS have signed a 10-year deal with the ACT government to play three premiership matches each season in Canberra, the first of which will be on Saturday.