Pavlich warns of backlash if Origin is revived without WA

Fremantle skipper Matthew Pavlich has warned the AFL to expect a West Australian backlash if they choose to revive only the Victoria-South Australia rivalry following last weekend’s Hall of Fame Tribute match.

With the 150th anniversary match re-igniting debate about interstate football, Pavlich said that playing for the Dream Team was one of the highlights of his career despite being on the losing side.

Pavlich said he would relish a chance to play for his home state of South Australia but leaving WA out of any State of Origin plans could bring the AFL problems.

“After almost a decade of going about my trade in a different state, I would do anything to be able to pull on the red, gold and blue for my beloved South Australia, but a year-to-year game is unfortunately long gone,” Pavlich told the AFL website.

“A game between Victoria and South Australia seems the next logical step, and has been given much credence by many in the print media.

“I know myself, growing up and watching the SA boys take on the Vics was the biggest highlight outside the grand final.

“The wins the Croweaters managed in 1992, `93 and `94 were as memorable as any in my sporting childhood.

“But I know for a fact, however, living in WA that the Sandgropers over here in the west would be seething if they were left out of the mix.

“They claim to be the ones that invented State of Origin, and that is where the problem lies, with three states legitimately vying for … superiority, compared with the NSW and Queensland set-up in rugby league.”

Having played alongside Matthew Richardson, Cameron Mooney and Lance Franklin last weekend, Pavlich could also find himself with new attacking partners on the home front, with Dockers coach Mark Harvey hinting at forward changes to take on the Western Bulldogs.

Still reeling from the disastrous fade-out against Melbourne, Harvey says he is looking to stabilise his side for Sunday’s clash with the Western Bulldogs at Subiaco.

He will consider a club debut for former Bomber Kepler Bradley, and a recall for Adam Campbell who kicked 10 goals in the WAFL last weekend.

“(Bradley) is playing a lot as centre half-forward, and has probably been a help to Campbell down there. They are evolving those guys and probably putting pressure on our forward line which is too heavily reliant on Pavlich at the moment,” Harvey told Fairfax radio.

“(Ryan) Murphy has had a chance the last couple of weeks and (Chris) Tarrant was OK until half-time (against Melbourne), but we will certainly be looking at different options down there at this stage.”

Super 14 tipping now live for sign-ups. Join now and invite your mates.

Free Email updates:

• Get a daily AFL email

Our daily emails are only sent if there is content for the sport or that author. You can subscribe to multiple daily emails; or get the daily Roar email with all our content in it. We value privacy. More...

© 2007 AAP