Matthew Lloyd for Victoria attempts to mark in front of Sean Wellman for South Australia during the State of Origin AFL match between Victoria and South Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne on May 29, 1999. Slattery Images
In the past, this time of year we’d be discussing State of Origin football. We’d be discussing which players were worthy of pulling on the Big V. We’d be discussing who’ll be lining up for the Croweaters or Sandgropers.
Sadly, those days are gone.
We aren’t discussing Michael Barlow’s Victorian debut. We aren’t discussing Buddy Franklin booting goals for Western Australia, or Matthew Pavlich booting goals for South Australia. We aren’t discussing Chris Judd and Gary Ablett playing alongside each other.
Recently, however, the AFL did manage to re-open the door to Origin football. As part of their consultation with supporters over changes to the fixture, one of the options the league presented included staging representative football during the pre-season.
It shows that the AFL are certainly open to the idea.
Players, too, have come out backing the return of Origin. Judd and Nick Maxwell, both club captains, earlier in the year called for Origin to replace the NAB Cup. A number of other players, Jonathan Brown among them, made similar noises around the time of the Hall of Fame Tribute Match in 2008.
Bringing back Origin makes a lot of sense. In fact, in this age of expansion – not just in the number of teams, but the number of games, too – it seems like a perfect idea for the AFL.
The concern, though, is what happened to Origin in its latter years. And to be fair, when you look back on those years, it’s not that hard to understand why it had to come to an end.
The move to a national competition took a lot of the heat out of state rivalries. South Australian fans could all of the sudden cheer on their boys against the Victorians week in, week out. Ditto West Australian fans.
Then there were issues relating to the loyalty of players, with club often taking priority over state. Holding the event annually and mid-season was a recipe for disaster in this respect.
But as I’ve written before, those two excuses are no longer valid when you fast forward to today and, while doing so, simply learn from the mistakes of the past.
South Australia and Western Australia have moved on from the days where their State of Origin sides were comprised almost fully of players from Adelaide and West Coast. Gone are the days of those clubs holding a 100 per cent market share in their respective states, too.
The player loyalty issue is where the learning from the past comes in. Back in the day, players wanted to represent their state, but to be continually asked to do it year after year took its toll. Missing an Origin game, for those who’d already played in one, became not such a big deal – especially if they were carrying a niggling injury or had a concerned club in their ear.
Holding any Origin matches during the pre-season – or even after the season’s finished, à la International Rules and overseas exhibition games – is a must. And only every second or third year.
After that, there should be little room for concern.
Yet the AFL are still reluctant. It’s mindboggling, especially when you consider the potential bringing back Origin has.
The league right now are considering all sorts of options to bring about more broadcast dollars. Tonight it’s Thursday night football. Earlier in the year it was Monday night football. They’ve thrown up a 24-round season, a 10-team finals series, you name it.
Origin would add to the list of games it can take to television networks. And if it works and fans can’t get enough of it – which would have to happen if managed right – then that just opens up even more broadcast dollars down the track.
And of course, there’s another element to Origin footy that would add to the game, albeit a less tangible one.
It’s called having a true form of representative football.
There’s just something about bringing together rival fans and players and having them all on the one side. There’s something about seeing the best of the best on the park at the one time. There’s something about giving fans of clubs low on the ladder something else to cheer about.
International Rules, even when played regularly, doesn’t quite fill such a void. But Origin does.
Just picture it. Picture Adam Cooney grabbing the ball in the midfield and setting up Pavlich for an easy set shot. Picture Judd handpassing to Ablett, who sends it forward to Brown, who dishes it off to Stephen Milne or Steve Johnson.
Picture it all and then ask yourself whether the AFL should bring back State of Origin or not.
Surely, it’s time.
Mark
Guest
No, No, No. This will never happen. Stop suggesting it. If Victoria played Tasmania, the score will be 182 - 14.
EvertonAndAustralia
Roar Pro
The AFL when they have 18 teams should just have 17 rounds with every team playing every team once, sticking with Final 8. With less rounds, they can bring back SOO footy. And scrap the Intl Rules series. Here's how it should work. Every Australian state and territory should have their own team, plus a Globetrotters team which is the best of the Overseas players. There should be three groups of three teams. One each from Pool A, B and C. Teams in each group play each other once. Each team in one group will play one home game and one away game, plus have a bye. Pool A (the strongest teams) Victoria South Australia Western Australia Pool B (fairly strong teams) Tasmania Queensland Northern Territory Pool C (the weak teams) New South Wales Australian Capital Territory Globetrotters (A team made out of players from the rest of the world) The top two teams from each group progress to the next stage. Then they progress to the SuperGroup stage. The Top team from each of the group goes into SuperGroup 1 and the second placed team goes into SuperGroup 2. Teams in the same SuperGroup play each other once. Each team in the same Supergroup will play one home game and one away game, plus have another bye. As soon as the SuperGroups are over, then comes the SOO finals. Which will have the three teams from SuperGroup 1 and the Top placed team from SuperGroup 2. The format of the SOO finals should work like this: The third placed team from SuperGroup 1 play host to the top placed team from SuperGroup 2 in the SOO semi-final. The winner of that match will play away to the second placed team from SuperGroup 1, who had automatically qualified for the SOO Preliminary final. The SOO Final will be between the top placed team from SuperGroup 1 and the winner of the Prelim Final. The top placed team from SuperGroup 1 will get to host the final. If a semi-final, prelim final or Grand final match is tied after normal time, extra time will be played to find a winner. The first week of the Group Stage should be one week before the start of the AFL season. The second week of the Group Stage should be three or four weeks after the start of the AFL season. The third week of the Group Stage should be six or seven weeks after the start of the AFL season. The first week of the SuperGroup Stage should be three months after the start of the AFL season. The second week of the SuperGroup Stage should be seven or eight weeks before the start of the AFL finals. The third week of the SuperGroup Stage should be three or four weeks before the start of the AFL finals. The semi-final should be two weeks after the AFL Grand Final. The Preliminary final should be three weeks after the AFL Grand Final. The Grand final should be four weeks after the AFL Grand Final. All SOO Matches will be played on weekend. During Group Stage there will be one match on Friday and Saturday night and a game on Sunday twilight. During the SuperGroup stages there will be one Friday and Saturday night game. During the finals games will be on Saturday Night.
Republican
Guest
Brad. Historically Tassies pedigree is on a par with those major footy states however these days the minor states i.e. Qld and NSW have caught up somewhat and the ACT has always been very strong despite many not being aware of this fact. Certainly the ACT do compete well with Tassie at both Junior and Senior levels so Tassie do need to sit in that second tier these days it would seem. Cheers
Brad
Guest
Not sure why Tas is being grouped with the 'lesser' teams of NSW and ACT. Tasmania was the first state outside of Victoria to play Aussie Rules, therefore has the right to be in a SoO (If there ever is one) series before WA and SA. After all, there is nothing better than seeing that ol' map of Tassie on the green guernsey. Also, I think the Allies team is an absolute joke. Just my two cents.
Not Frank
Guest
I think we should have a matches like take place in the second tier comps 1st Year VFL play SANFL 2nd Year VFL play WAFL 3rd Year SANFL play WAFL I think there is a similar rotation of games between TAS ,QLD and ACT Leagues. If each state played a max of 2 games in a three year period we would get the spectacle without club and fans being sick of games. It is a pity that quality Aussie Rules Players come from all State and Territories and is popular in All States unlike RU and RL. Then we would have a two team compition instead of the multiple team compition that would be required for Aussie Rules SOO.
HK47
Roar Rookie
Do like this article. But would like to have 8 teams if possible. If all states and territories compete, this would work. But do we want 2 average teams (NSW and ACT) or a competitive team (NSW/ACT RAMS) like in the U16, U18 carnivals etc. Options are a second VIC team, like the Youth Carnivals. EIther split into Country and Metro, Or a mini draft could take place, where the 60 best players are drafted by two teams, Team 1 having picks 1,4,5,8,9,12,13.........60 and Team 2 having picks 2,3,6,7,10,11........59. The other Option is an International side, where International converts such as Kennelly, O'Hailplain, McNamara, Pyke and others compete, as well as those the AFL deem to be International, ie. James Gwilt and Nick Natanui, were born in australia, but with PNG heritage, could be chosen to play for this "World" side.
jono52795
Roar Rookie
best article on the roar! hands down. could not agree with you more. It would be foolish not to have it. With an expanded comp, more rounds and more football, state of origin would be a nice little niche. I actually prefer having it once every 3 years (since the IR Series is supposed to be only twice in a 3 year cycle). So in 2010/2011 IR is played in October, followed by an expanded 2012 season featuring State of Origin and the cycle continues. Format wise: Victoria V South Australia, best of 3 game series, deciding game played at ANZ Stadium (in the same year as an expanded GWS side kicks off). 2 of those games played during the season (perhaps have 2 split rounds) and October 3 weeks after the GF is host of the 3rd game. Simple, no chance of player burnout with only 3 SOO games every 3 years and a TV revenue would skyrocket! Tell me how that is not good for the game!
Republican
Guest
I am a Canberran and neither do I Tom. Kiwis are more interested in this than many Ozzies. Soon they will be wanting to join Qld and NSW in competing in the S of A but they will first have to join our Federation of States before League can boast any three state interest!!
beaver fever
Guest
http://www.aflq.com.au/index.php?id=132 Getting close. Could be competetive, but depth due to injuries would be the problem.
Michael DiFabrizio
Expert
But there's the thing, Billo Boy. I did raise it back around December; January to be specific. There's a link to that article in this one. The reason why it's being brought up now is because the AFL have put Origin back on the agenda via their website discussing potential changes to the fixture. As I said, rugby league's State of Origin is great and it works brilliantly and that's fine. But it didn't influence this article at all. Aussie Rules has its own Origin history and that - as you can tell by reading the article, especially the first paragraph - was more of a prompt in both the articles I've written on the topic than anything else.
Tom
Guest
I like the question asking if the posting of this article during the nrl state of origin was a coincidence. Reminds me how lucky I am to be in victoria where I dont here about it on the news or read about nrl in the newspaper. I really didn't knowthey were still playing state of origin this year. How many games are left? Actually don't tell me. Like most from the southern states I just couldn't care about the nrl or their state of origin.
ac
Guest
I like AF it distinguishes itself from Football which is what we used to call Soccer. So AF is AFL, Football is Soccer. Yes very clear. Sad to say Australian Football will have to be called that more and more because Football or Federation Football is not going to give up on its Football tag. At least rugby league is called what it really is. Another big plus for this game - Rugby League. The NRL needs to gets its commission up and running by the end of this year and watch this sport grow. I predict it will topple AFL in 10 years.
Timmuh
Guest
If you look back on the roar, you will find it has come up again and again, inside and outside the footy season, with or without RL origin being in anyone's mind at the time. Simple fact is, many of us miss it. Its also true that there are quite a few that don't, and that the clubs will never allow it.
Billo Boy
Guest
Yeah right. So putting this forward in the middle of NRL Origin just happens to be a coincidence? It didn't prompt your story at all? If you had raised it in December then perhaps.
Billo Boy
Guest
Tabs on the Roar are permeable. If not then there's no point to the Roar existing. You've no hesitation in daring to offer your insight into my game of rugby or also on NRL and (real) football when you choose.
Michael C
Guest
mate - it's being talked about because we miss it. Because SA and WA would no longer just be the Crows and the Eagles as they were back in the 90s when the concept became 'tired'. Don't you dare presume to tell us on an AFL tab that envy of the NRL origin is the "ONLY" reason, I don't know if it's a reason at all, I've not thought it, I've not heard it On who's behalf are you speaking??
Michael C
Guest
well, that's the thing isn't it - - that right now, perhaps,....however, within 10 years perhaps the NSW and QLD components are deriving interest, and perhaps with a few international born and bred players and a few more 'exotic' locals to join Daw and Naitanui.......who knows, a mini state/world cup?? If at least that once every 3 years means that the Big V vs SA and WA, if that can't fire up a mostly full MCG and Subi for example........
Timmuh
Guest
I'd love it back, but it won't happen. For mine, it should be post-season every second year with 7 teams (all states + NT). Adding the ACT would be great, but its hard to see them even being competitive against 7th (Tasmania). ACT and international players would be eligible depending on where they first played in one of the 7 "states". One year would be qualifier type games. Two years later a final and a playoff for the right to play in division 1 (rankings to start with would probably be 1.Victoria, 2. Western Australia, 3. South Australia, 4. Queensland, 5. Northern Territory, 6. New South Wales, 7.Tasmania; with either 4 teams in one division and 3 in the other - I'd rather have 4 in division 1, but that means starting with Vic v Qld). With the chance to lift the trophy only once every four years, and in post-season where clubs are most likely to be marginally less against it, it might work. It can not replace home and away rounds, the TV networks will not wear that. Nor will the clubs. The big problems are that: - games not involving Victoria will draw negligible TV audiences, oe of rugby league's advantages is that by including two states they include virtually every follower of the game; every game involves NSW, that game's key market - although this year the players don't seem to have been very involved - the clubs hated it, led initially by Malthouse when at the Eagles, the paranoia from some clubs about key players was incredible, and would be back very quickly - three decent teams means there will be mismatches and maintaining an equitable and competitive fixture is nigh on impossible (the AFL can't even do in the home and away season where the on-field inequities are nowhere near as high)
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I'll be honest, as a Victorian, I've never cared about state games, and it wouldn't worry me in the least if they never returned. The players care even less. It's nonsense to talk about representative honours, it really means nothing. No use placing importance on something where it doesn't exist.
Mick
Guest
Used to love wagging school for Tuesday afternoon state of origin at Subi. Nothing better than seeing the best taking on the best taking it up another level which unfortunately does not happen anymore.