The illustrious AFL State of Origin could be set to make a comeback, with a multitude of players and fans coming out in support of the game over the past few years.
With the last game of representative football being played in early 2008 for AFL’s 150th anniversary, fans and footballers alike craving their next fix of the incredible star-studded game.
Introduction of the game could begin in pre-season, without disrupting the overloaded season fixtures. Placing the game in between AFLW and the premiership season provides a breather for the already crowded calendar; while also allowing an opportunity to dispense of AFLX in the process. State of Origin truly encompasses everything the AFLX could have been.
This pre-season ingression also provides an opportunity to set a precedent for the induction of particular rule changes currently being considered by the AFL.
Alterations such as starting positions at stoppages may be among the few modifications chosen to assist with clearing the congestion currently clogging the game.
By permitting these changes to be trialled through the State of Origin, the AFL will be appeasing the masses, while also gaining significant and detailed datum on how these alterations will work in a practical sense.
The AFL could do with some kind of rep football. (AFL Photos/GSP)
This will also allow for an introduction of the new rules as they were intended, to be viewed through the AFL’s best players, properly exhibiting the functionality behind them.
The AFL itself should also see a heightened profit increase, with the sum of money they’ll acquire from ticket sales, memorabilia and TV interest, it would be remiss for them to not even consider reinstating these legendary matches.
And what about the fans? Seeing their favourite football legends come together for one large clash? It’s not just the players who will benefit from this; the thought of seeing Eddie Betts and Robbie Gray side-by-side slamming goals through the sticks should be enough to get any true footy fan’s blood pumping.
Chris Judd and Scott Pendlebury are certainly huge advocates, with Pendlebury stating, “I’ve been a big supporter of this, I understand it’s not without its challenges, [but] I’m confident we’ll get there eventually and it’ll be exciting for everyone involved once we do.”
Judd wrote in a piece for Fairfax, “The AFL should let this naturally evolve, and embrace the fact that this has the chance to be something unique to AFL.”
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With backing from two of the greats, it can be said we are clearly missing out on something big. Perhaps it’s the nostalgia talking, but, with an extra $10,000 to pocket for players, and a restoration of fierce competitiveness, it’s clear there are financial and subjective benefits to be reaped.
Veteran Bulldog, Bob Murphy, another pro-Origin past player also explains, “In 2008, I had the honour of wearing the Big V for real in an exhibition team against the Dream Team. It was everything you would want that experience to be. The game was exhilarating. It was high scoring, fast and no one got seriously injured.”
And as the era of the small forward commences, there’s so much to consider in bringing back the fast-paced, sharp-shooting game, with the AFL exhibiting all the league has to offer. Players like Betts will truly thrive in this environment, with seemingly random kicks being booted from all directions; yet making it straight through the middle based on that pure skill, only exhibited by a special few.
But that’s exactly what will be showcased during State of Origin. The leagues finest talents, the most highly skilled and anticipated players, all on-field together for massive blockbuster games. Kennedy and Franklin, Dusty and Bontempelli, Daniher and Danger. The collaborations of big names are endless.
The State of Origin return is also backed with statistics, with more than 82 per cent of AFL players and 92 per cent of fans voting to bring back the beloved game.
It can be said that the AFL has a duty to both supporters and players to set this in motion.
And although there are a few roadblocks such as the clubs’ wariness of injuries and not releasing star players, a packed fixture with only one bye round per team, and a dismal 26,063 crowd in the final 1999 clash between South Australia and Victoria, the creation a due and proper process to selection will eliminate these risks.
These wishes will clearly be rebuffed by the league, despite prominent advocates Chris Judd, Scott Pendlebury, and Bob Murphy, but there is still hope, with the AFL Player’s Association’s (AFLPA) consistent attempts to influence the AFL in the direction of State of Origin for upcoming years; so hopefully we’ll be seeing it on screen shortly.
Matt Bolin
Guest
I'd love to see State of Origin return to the AFL, It would be interesting for our generation to have a go at such a phenomenal event. Perhaps in the aflx format at least either way. It would give me a chance to wear my Big V guernsey I brought.
Matt Bolin
Guest
I am certainly pro State of Origin in the AFL. After going to the NRL State of Origin match the other month at the MCG and seeing how electric the atmosphere was it made me wish I could see that same degree of competitiveness for who is the best state in AFL as a grown man. The last State of Origin match was 1999 when I would of been 8 so I didn't truly get a chance to appreciate and understand what it was like at the time or it's style.Yeah sure there's always the fear campaign argument your favourite player might get injured and miss games(It's certainly possible) but how would relaunching State of origin in the off season be any different from allowing players to play in the International rules series? That's also risking Injury and yet somehow that's still acceptable for clubs.I'll agree that playing it in the mid season probably isn't as practical in the modern times But perhaps in the years where International rules isn't played State of Origin could be played. After all players and spectators have expressed a desire wouldn't it be better to test something that has popular interest as appose to coming up with new and unknown concepts like afl x?
Emma Henderson
Roar Rookie
If almost all players and fans are for SOO though, it seriously might be taken into consideration, especially if the AFL are benefiting financially
Emma Henderson
Roar Rookie
Thanks so much! I would absolutely love to see it return as well, and hopefully with such strong player and fan backing it will, definitely might take a bit longer than anticipated also hahaha. Thank you for pointing that out as well!!!! :D
BigAl
Guest
it would be a hard sell to most though...
Pelican
Guest
I would definitely watch that. Good idea Anthony
clipper
Guest
That is incorrect - last year the AO final was 1 and AFL GF was in top 5, so just 3 of the top 5
GOB
Guest
Do tell me - when did Vic vs SA become the traditional rivalry? As I recall, the very first State Of Origin was WA v Vic at Subiaco in 1976. As I also recall, these two states produced absolute classics on Tuesday afternoons in the mid 1980s. WA by three points in 1983, WA by four points in 1984, WA by three points in 1986. So do tell me - when did Vic vs SA become the traditional revalry?
Floreat Pica
Guest
So, they delay a week, or are inelligible- the whole point of the timing I’m suggesting is to minimise the impact on clubs..
BigAl
Guest
I'll "Click" where I like thankyou ! . . . nuff?
Anthony
Guest
Here's a concept I'd be interested to see. SoO with the potential draftees for that year. You dont risk injurying key players, you get a better look at the talent available. You let your fans see on a decent stage how a potential draftee might look. It could also lead to some surprise selections on draft day.. Could still trial those rules if you wanted as well.....
Steve
Guest
And not a single AFL H&A game rates in the biggest and 3rd biggest states.
Cat
Roar Guru
And not a single one of their H&A games rates ...
Steve
Guest
"The NRL have nothing to match the AFL", ....except 4 of the 5 top rating sport programs every year.
Cat
Roar Guru
The problem is by that point a whole lot of players have already been booked in for their end of season surgeries. Clubs still won't want any players being risked.
Cat
Roar Guru
Injuries happen all the time. That part wouldn't bother me that much, just as likely to do an ACL at training as in a game after all. The part that bothers me is the Storm essentially having to play H&A without the 'Big Three'. Imagine if you had Pendles, Treloar and Sidebottom out for two weeks because they played a SoO game. Now imagine that happens three times a year and they miss 6 games. Maybe you'd win, depending on the opponent, but your chances would certainly be far lower.
Floreat Pica
Guest
Yep. Put it better than me (above).
Floreat Pica
Guest
It’s clear that the clash with club requirements is the biggest issue for a State of Origin to overcome to become a regular feature. The risk of disprution and injury is so unpallitable that I cannot imagine clubs in the modern era ever fully supporting the return of what was once a passionate event and great interest spinner- especially not on an annual or regular basis. Certainly the AFL would also be wary of following the model employed by the NRL in which the comparitive interest generated by their Origin spectacular has so eclipsed the club-level game that it has been frequently argued in print media that such an emphasis on Origin during the regular season is actually to the sport’s long-term detriment. Yet the quotesd stats of 82% (players) and 92% (fans [including myself]) in favour are so significant it’s clearly a concept that people think should be continually explored, and thus for the AFL, a market to exploit. Unlike the author, I believe the optimal time to hold it would neither be during the regular Home & Away schedule, nor in the very tight Preseason (the current overlap between AFLW and AFL is relatively little, giving the young women’s league valuable oxygen, but sure to extend with the introduction of new teams over the coming years necessitating more rounds- why would the AFL take public interest away from such a crucial venture). The Preseason would also still suffer from the same issues of clubs being hesitant to allow their players to risk training disruption and injury. Instead I would propose it is held during Finals- and obviously be only open to players to participate from the clubs who finish outside of the final 8. Perhaps the best outcome for players, grounds, AFL and fans would be during the ‘week-off’ at the start of the Finals series. Obviously this is a compromise SoO concept given the players from 8 (better) teams would be excluded. Yet it has significant advantages over any other timing that would make it a sustainable concept that clubs and AFL could get behind- not the least being it does away with the concerns mentioned above. In addition if held in the ‘pre-finals week off’ it would maintain interest of all fans at a time when neutrals may otherwise switch off, have plenty of media oxygen without compromising any focus on the club-competition, be simple for players to plan holidays around, occur at a time when players are already at match-fitness levels [requiring less need for specific training], and have the most appropriate grounds already available (the last three eliminating the crucial logistical challenges of holding a match in the middle of cricket season). Even halving the player pool available there would be more than enough big names to draw a crowd (and give the supporters of clubs who missed the cut in that year one last chance to see a victory). If player numbers are an issue why not open recruiting to state-leagues?- maybe even mandate it? Would be a great chance to scout new talent and see who could step-up to AFL-level- recruiters and list-managers would see the benefit in that outweighing the risk of injury. The only real losers I can think of are the poor inelligible players who will just have to suck-up the unfortunate situation of playing Finals footy [I cant imagine anyone tanking to get a SoO spot].
The Brazilian
Roar Rookie
Hit the nail on the head, Wilson!
clipper
Guest
This is right - by pushing a 2 state game as the pinnacle, you are basically saying who cares about going national - we're quite happy just being in 2 states. The NRL may get quite good ratings for SoO, but the games after it still struggle to get 10k TV ratings after, so doesn't really do that much to expand the game.