PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: Andrew Gaff of the Eagles celebrates a goal during the round 16 AFL match between the West Coast Eagles and the Greater Western Sydney Giants at Optus Stadium on July 8, 2018 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

North Melbourne midfielder Ben Cunnington has been ruled out of Friday's State of Origin due to soreness, according to AFL Media 

He will be replaced by West Coast's Andrew Gaff, who will become his club's third representative in the match, joining Elliot Yeo and Brad Sheppard (All-Stars).

Cunnington reportedly pulled up sore after North's 44-point loss to the Western Bulldogs in their opening Marsh Community Cup clash on Friday night, recording 27 touches and seven tackles in the loss. He is expected to be declared fit for North's final Marsh Series match against Sydney on March 9.

Currently, Gaff's inclusion is the only change to the 27-man squads named last week. Victorian assistant coach Alistair Clarkson has also pulled out of the match, choosing to coach Hawthorn in a scratch match against St Kilda on Friday afternoon instead.

Meanwhile, squad numbers for the two teams have been released with multiple players vying for the same numbers.

The AFL has ruled that the player with the most games in the number will have that particular jumper.

Five players for Victoria, Dustin Martin, Marcus Bontempelli, Toby Greene, Shaun Higgins and Jade Gresham were all in contention for No.4. With 202 games in the No.4 for Richmond, Dusty Martin will wear the number for the 'Big V'.

Todd Goldstein, Josh Kelly and Steele Sidebottom were also vying for No.22 for Victoria while Patrick Cripps and Lachie Neale fought for No.9 for the All-Stars. They were among a number of clashes for particular squad numbers.

Check out the official State of Origin numbers below:

VICTORIA
1. Jade Gresham
2. Shaun Higgins
3. Andrew Gaff
4. Dustin Martin
5. Toby Greene
6. Lachie Whitfield
7. Marcus Bontempelli
8. Robbie Gray
9. Trent Cotchin
10. Scott Pendlebury
11. Jack Macrae
12. Tom Papley
13. Stefan Martin
14. Bachar Houli
15. Ben Cunnington
18. Jeremy Cameron
19. Tom Lynch
20. Nick Haynes
21. James Sicily
22. Todd Goldstein
23. Josh Kelly
24. Steele Sidebottom
30. Darcy Moore
31. Rory Sloane
35. Patrick Dangerfield
42. Adam Saad
44. Jake Lloyd
46. Mark Blicavs

ALL-STARS
1. Michael Walters
2. Zach Tuohy
3. Stephen Coniglio
4. Brodie Grundy
5. Brad Sheppard
6. Elliot Yeo
7. Nat Fyfe
8. Jack Riewoldt
9. Patrick Cripps
10. Shane Edwards
12. Callum Mills
13. Taylor Walker
14. Lachie Weller
15. Dayne Zorko
16. Isaac Smith
17. Lachie Neale
18. Scott Lycett
22. Luke Breust
23. Charlie Cameron
26. Tom Hawkins
29. Rory Laird
31. Harris Andrews
32. Bradley Hill
33. Brodie Smith
38. Jeremy Howe
39. Neville Jetta
40. Jason Johannisen