New regulations penalising Victoria’s success could pave the way for a State of Origin revival

The AFL appears to be quietly paving the way for a revival of its State of Origin series in 2026, with CEO Andrew Dillon openly declaring his commitment to revitalising this long-standing concept.

This idea is certainly trending, particularly with the enduring success of rugby league’s State of Origin series, although the AFL faces unique challenges that complicate its implementation.

The primary challenge is timing. Simply put, introducing such a series mid-season is out of the question. The quest for a premiership is paramount, and neither fans, clubs, nor coaches would be willing to risk injuries to key players during this pivotal time.

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The second hurdle is engendering fan interest. While it may be challenging to replicate the fervour of rugby league’s Origin series, harnessing the passionate rivalry between the prominent football states should be achievable with the right approach.

Fuel the narrative with the right former players and media figures, and compelling stories will easily emerge.

The third challenge is arguably the most significant: the Victorian team currently possesses a significant edge, which could diminish the competitive excitement of the matches.

Whereas New South Wales and Queensland in the NRL can typically draw from a sizable pool of talent, a substantial portion—likely over half—of the current AFL talent originates from Victoria.

To ensure a level of competitiveness and avoid the lacklustre Victoria vs Allies format, adjustments must be made to balance the scales against the Victorians.

The AFL demonstrated its proficiency in executing a similar idea with the Indigenous All-Stars game held in February, showcasing effective timing and a vibrant atmosphere. This addresses our initial challenge.

As players gear up for the season, clubs can organise practice matches among themselves, minimising any risk to their star players without repercussions.

To successfully reintroduce State of Origin football, it should centred around a single weekend featuring two matches in mid-February.

THE TEAMS AND FIXTURES

The first match will see Western Australia take on Victoria, while the second will feature South Australia against The Allies.

Regrettably, until the northern academies develop sufficient talent for New South Wales and Queensland, they must unite with the Northern Territory and Tasmania.

The Indigenous All-Stars concept will undoubtedly return, forming part of an ongoing series of annual fixtures planned for future years.

As it stands, Western Australia is the only state side that holds any real chance of competing with Victoria, which is why they will be included in the competitive balance.

A contest between Victoria and South Australia could potentially be a one-sided affair.

We envision the match taking place at Optus Stadium on the Saturday night of that weekend, filling the venue with passionate supporters and challenging the Victorian stars.

THE VICTORIA RULE

An additional adjustment for the Victorians is that they must select eight players under the age of 23. This encourages the next generation to take centre stage, albeit meaning that several of the league’s superstars will miss out.

This rule fosters an intriguing mixture of playing styles across age groups, allowing emerging talents to collaborate with established champions of the game.

Teams for these matches will comprise 26 players. Given the February scheduling, we intend to keep athletes fresh as they gear up for the competitive season, ensuring adequate positional depth.

We propose the South Australia vs The Allies match to be held at Adelaide Oval on the Friday night, which is sure to draw a healthy crowd.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Before presenting the teams, our only selection criterion is that players with indefinite injuries will not be included. This rule applies to those with torn ACLs and long-term concussion problems.

Additionally, the AFL should consider allowing players with diverse backgrounds to choose which state they wish to represent, which simplifies matters. For example, a player like Kozzy Pickett should have the option to represent either South or Western Australia.

Here are the proposed teams:

Victorian State Of Origin 26-man side

FB: Mac Andrew*, Jacob Weitering, Tom Stewart

HB: Ed Richards, Darcy Moore, Lachie Whitfield

C: Max Holmes*, Zak Butters, Zach Merrett

HF: Christian Petracca, Jeremy Cameron, Patrick Dangerfield

FF: Sam Darcy*, Charlie Curnow, Toby Greene (vc)

Fol: Max Gawn, Nick Daicos*, Marcus Bontempelli (c)

INT: Will Ashcroft*, Harry Sheezel*, Harley Reid*, Nick Watson*, James Sicily, Caleb Serong, Bailey Smith, Tristan Xerri

*Eight players must be under 23.

Western Australia State of Origin 26-man side

FB: Lawson Humphries, Sam Taylor, Wil Powell

HB: Jordan Clark, Tom Barrass, Liam Baker

C: Nic Martin, Patrick Cripps (c), Trent Rivers

HF: Shai Bolton, Mitch Georgiades, Charlie Cameron (vc)

FF: Bobby Hill, Jesse Hogan, Cam Zurhaar

Fol: Darcy Cameron, Chad Warner, Kysaiah Pickett

INT: Luke Jackson, Stephen Coniglio, Rory Lobb, Aaron Naughton, Judd McVee, Mitch McGovern, Oscar Allen, Blake Acres

South Australia State of Origin 26-man side

FB: Max Michalanney, Callum Wilkie, John Noble

HB: Mason Redman, Brennan Cox, Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera

C: Jordan Dawson, Lachie Neale (c), Connor Rozee (vc)

HF: Alex Neal-Bullen, Darcy Fogarty, Jason Horne-Francis

FF: Will Hayward, Riley Thilthorpe, Tyson Stengle

Fol: Brodie Grundy, Will Day, Izak Rankine

INT: George Hewett, Mattaes Phillipou, Jack Lukosius, Sam Draper, Tom Powell, Brad Close, Matt Roberts, Rory Laird

‘The Allies’ State of Origin 26-man side

FB: Jeremy Howe, Harris Andrews (vc), Alex Pearce

HB: Nick Blakey, Aliir Aliir, Daniel Rioli

C: Errol Gulden, Tom Green, Dayne Zorko

HF: Callum Mills, Brody Mihocek, Zac Bailey

FF: Ben Keays, Taylor Walker, Eric Hipwood

Fol: Jarrod Witts, Isaac Heeney (c), Jack Steele

INT: Steven May, Toby Nankervis, James Peatling, Ben Long, Bodhi Uwland, Jack Buckley, Matt Kennedy, Colby McKercher