‘Hard to recapture the passion’: AFL announces return of State of Origin, but one footy state has been snubbed

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State of Origin football will return to the AFL calendar for the first time in 27 years.

AFL chief executive officer Andrew Dillon confirmed on Monday that Western Australia would play Victoria in Perth at Optus Stadium on February 14 next year – the first State of Origin clash since 1999.

“State football is one of the great traditions of our game, with fans and players alike calling for its return for some time and we are thrilled to see it back,” Dillon said.

“Origin inspires passion, state pride and draws upon years-old rivalries that are central to the history of our game and our very greatest players.”

Originating in 1977, games between Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia were regular features on the AFL calendar, but declining popularity saw the event scrapped.

While there have been top-level representative games since 1999 – a Hall of Fame tribute match in 2008 and a bushfire relief fundraiser in 2020 – those games involved Victoria taking on a team made up of players from other states. AFLW also held a Victoria v Allies game in 2017.

There was also an Indigenous All Stars team that faced Fremantle in Perth earlier this year.

South Australian football great Graham Cornes said he was glad to see the return of State of Origin, but he lamented the exclusion of South Australia.

“Obviously, the most passionate State of Origin encounters, the most exciting ones were between SA and Victoria,” he said. “I just think it’s going to be really hard to recapture the passion and the quality of those games.”

He was also unsure of the event’s calendar placement during the pre-season and said a mid-season State of Origin might be more effective.

The announcement potentially opens the door for an AFLW State of Origin event as more players call for representative football opportunities.

Ahead of the league’s milestone 10th season, Dillon said the AFLW would have “some form” of representative football next season.

Dillon said it could take different forms, whether an All-Star game, State of Origin clash or an Australia v Ireland international rules match.

“It’s important for us to give our best players the chance to play together,” Dillon told Fox Footy.

“We have to work through with our players and the clubs but you will absolutely see representative footy in some form next year.”

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