As it’s currently the NRL State of Origin period, I thought it would be a good time to look at what would happen if the same concept happened in football with Australian players.
Today I look at what would happen in a football State of Origin. All players currently listed as Australian by Futwiz are eligible to participate in the tournament.
New South Wales
GK: Matthew Ryan
LB: James Meredith
CB: Milos Degenek
CB: Alex Wilkinson
RB: Rhyan Grant
CM: Aaron Mooy
CDM: Mark Milligan
CM: Massimo Luongo
LW: Chris Ikonomidis
ST: Tomi Juric
RW: Martin Boyle
Bench: Danny Vukovic, Mile Jedinak, Dimitri Petratos, Daniel Arzani, Mitchell Duke
If you want to stop reading now because this New South Wales team is too good, I don’t blame you. Every player in this team has played for the Socceroos, and it isn’t surprising considering that over half of Australia’s football players are from the state.
The team starts off with Australia and EPL club Brighton’s first-choice goalkeeper, Matthew Ryan. At the fullbacks Millwall regular James Meredith takes the left spot, while A-League championship winner and Asian Cup Socceroo Rhyan Grant takes the right.
The two centrebacks for NSW include experienced Sydney FC defender Alex Wilkinson and former Red Star Belgrade player Milos Degenek.
Taking a look at the midfield, in-demand Huddersfield Town midfielder Aaron Mooy lines up alongside Socceroos Asian Cup captain Mark Milligan and beside Queens Park Rangers regular Massimo Luongo.
Then the attack includes Chris Ikonomidis, who had his breakthrough year with Perth Glory; 41-time Socceroos Tomi Juric as striker; and Scottish-born Martin Boyle at the right wing.
On the bench Belgian championship winner Danny Vukovic is the reserve goalkeeper, joining former Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak, Newcastle Jets midfielder Dimitri Petratos, injured wunderkind Daniel Arzani and recent Socceroos striker Mitchell Duke.
Daniel Arzani (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Queensland
GK: Mitchell Langerak
LB: Izaack Powell
CB: James Donachie
CB: Daniel Bowles
RB: Michael Zullo
CM: Neil Kilkenny
CDM: Luke Brattan
CM: Josh Brillante
LW: Tommy Oar
ST: David Williams
RW: Robbie Kruse
Bench: Matt Acton, Ben Halloran, Dario Vidosic, Kenneth Dougall, Kwame Yeboah
This Queensland team is a mix of in-form A-League players and former Socceroos.
In goals is former Borussia Dortmund shot-stopper Mitchell Langerak. He’s playing behind Melbourne Victory regular James Donachie, who plays alongside Daniel Bowles, who is one of the weaker players in this team. The 17-year-old wunderkind Izaack Powell fills the left side while Sydney FC’s starting left-back takes the right side.
In the midfield is arguably one of the A-League’s best midfielders, Neil Kilkenny, playing with A-League winner Josh Brillante and Melbourne City regular Luke Brattan at central defensive midifield.
Up top is the 11-goal, 27-game David Williams plays at striker with out-of-form former Socceroo Tommy Oar and Robbie Kruse, perhaps another out-of-form former Socceroo.
On the bench we have Melbourne Victory backup keeper Matt Acton, Adelaide attacker Ben Halloran, former Melbourne City striker Dario Vidosic, EFL Championship midfielder Kenneth Dougall and Wanderers striker Kwame Yeboah.
I’d expect some up-and-down results from Queensland. I think they’ll finish fourth thanks to too many draws.
Mitch Langerak (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
South Australia
GK: Paul Izzo
LB: Ben Garuccio
CB: Jordan Elsey
CB: Ryan McGowan
RB: Michael Marrone
CAM: James Troisi
CM: Riley McGree
CM: Stefan Mauk
LW: Awer Mabil
ST: Craig Goodwin
RW: Brandon Borello
Bench: Daniel Margush, Nikola Mileusnic, Dylan McGowan, Brad Inman, Bruce Kamau
South Australia’s defence starts with Adelaide shot-stopper Paul Izzo with Hearts defender Ben Garuccio at left-back. The two centrebacks are Adelaide United’s Jordan Elsey and recent Dundee loanee Ryan McGowan. Adelaide’s starting right-back, Michael Marrone, is there as well.
In the midfield is 37-time Socceroo James Troisi, the scorpion king Riley McGree and out-of-form Brisbane player Stefan Mauk.
Up front is Socceroos Asian Cup star Awer Mabil taking the left side with Bundesliga player Brandon Borello. Adelaide United winger Craig Goodwin will have to fill the striker spot for South Australia.
On the bench is Adelaide reserve goalkeeper Daniel Margush, Adelaide United winger Nikola Mileusnic, Danish league defender Dylan McGowan, free agent and former Rochdale wide midfielder Brad Inman and Western Sydney Wanderers winger Bruce Kamau.
Of the 16 players in this team, six play for Adelaide United. It’s nice to see them recruiting local talent, but there’s bot much depth in this team. I expect it to finish fifth.
Victoria
GK: James Delianov
LB: Aziz Behich
CB: Thomas Deng
CB: Bailey Wright
RB: Ivan Franjic
CM: Jackson Irvine
CM: James Jeggo
CM: Ajdin Hrustic
LW: Connor Pain
ST: Jamie Maclaren
RW: Matthew Leckie
Bench: Matthew Sutton, Andrew Nabbout, Jason Davidson, Andy Rose, Denis Genreau
Victoria doesn’t start off well, with Western United’s James Delianov in the goals, a keeper who’s played only one professional game. In defence is Socceroos and PSV Eindhoven left-back Aziz Behich. The two centrebacks are Melbourne Victory’s Thomas Deng and Bristol City captain Bailey Wright. Perth Glory right-back Ivan Franjic is in there too.
In the centre is Hull City midfielder Jackson Irvine, recent Socceroo James Jeggo and Eredivisie player Ajdin Hrustic.
Up front Western United winger Connor Pain plays on the left, Melbourne City and Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren plays as the target man and 61-time Socceroos winger Matt Leckie.
On the bench is Melbourne Victory youth player Matthew Sutton, Australia World Cup striker Andrew Nabbout, Perth Glory standout left-back Jason Davidson, Vancouver midfielder Andy Rose and Eredivisie attacker Denis Genreau.
This team is very all-rounded and would be expected to come second.
Jackson Irvine (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Western Australia
GK: Brad Jones
LB: Scott Galloway
CB: Trent Sainsbury
CB: Rhys Williams
RB: Josh Risdon
CM: Brandon O’Neill
CAM: Daniel De Silva
CM: Rostyn Griffiths
LW: Ryan Williams
ST: Adam Taggart
RW: Chris Harold
Bench: Jack Duncan, Shane Lowry, Brandon Wilson, Jacob Italiano, Yagoub Mustafa
Western Australia’s defence is a strong one starting with former Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones. In-form left-back Scott Galloway starts on the left side with 14-time Socceroo Josh Risdon playing on the right. Australia starting centreback Trent Sainsbury plays with 14-time Socceroo Rhys Williams.
In the centre of the pitch is A-League championship winner with Sydney FC Brandon O’Neill, who plays with Sydney teammate Daniel De Silva at central attacking midfielder. Then comes Melbourne City midfielder and former Perth Glory captain Rostyn Griffiths in the other midfield spot.
In attack is free agent and former Rotherham regular Ryan Williams, while out-of-form winger Chris Harold takes up the left. In-form K-League striker Adam Taggart takes up his natural position.
The bench-sitters for Western Australia are Saudi League regular goalkeeper Jack Duncan, Perth defender Shane Lowry, Perth midfielder Brandon Wilson, recent Borussia Monchengladbach signing Jacob Italiano and Perth youth player Yagoub Mustafa.
I’d expect them to come third. The goals will be hard to come by, but that defence may be the best in the competition. Interestingly, none of the starting 11 play for Perth Glory.
So who do you think will win this tournament? My tip is on New South Wales to win very comfortably.
Henry
Guest
SOO doesn’t include overseas based players. What would these teams look like if you only included A-League players?
An tUasal Mac Gabhann
Guest
It is also how Brisbane Roar markets the matches between Brisbane and Sydney FC.
An tUasal Mac Gabhann
Guest
Those teams don't seem to bad, nicely done???? One change I would make for Qld, would be having Jamie Young in place of Matt Acton on the bench ????????
oldpsyco
Guest
State of Origin is a League thing, leave it to them! If you want a state V state comp then develop an original idea rather than just copy someone elses.
clipper
Roar Rookie
NZ and England have competitive test sides? That would explain why Australia had odds of $1.30 at the beginning of the league 'world' cup! Football has too big an international footprint for there to be anywhere near the interest for a SoO that league has and with Football being popular all over Australia it would wouldn't have the same drawing power as a state on state encounter.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
I little out of date then aren't they. But If that's the criteria they are using then so be it. Marcelo Carusca would of fitted into an SA side as well.
alexp
Guest
let me get this straight ...... unless fussball has heard of it and given his stamp of approval then it cannot be considered a 'definitive source' this little pearl of wisdom speaks volumes
Nemesis
Guest
I've never heard of Futwiz so not sure why it's being quoted as some definitive source. But I do know that, based on FIFA regulations governing eligibility to play for national teams, Isiais can qualify for selection to play for AUS and he has indicated he'd be honoured to get the call-up.
Nemesis
Guest
If you're taking the discussion from fantasy to reality, then let's discuss it sensibly. If you want such a tournament it would have to be A-League players only, or done during the June/July off-season in Europe. Even then, that would exclude players who are at clubs in China, Japan, Korea Republic since those leagues are not in the off-season right now. Would the overseas players be interested in wasting their time on such a tournament during their holidays? Probably not.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
State of Origin is only the pinnacle for Queensland. For NSW the number of times they have been out drinking before Origin is ridiculous , I have never heard of preparing for something big in sport by giving players a couple of thousand to spend on a night out elsewhere in the world, its big in NSW because of the overblown media coverage and delusion amongst the easily led masses. NSW players treat the finals on a pedestal compared to Origin. Recently though as Australia is now the ultimate nanny state they are relying on New Zealanders and Pacific island to be playing rugby league, and because Queensland were losing in the 90's they used some creative license in selecting players. So they could easily have 6 competitive international teams in rugby league if they had even money on offer. The 15000 bar tab for NSW under Daley would be welcomed by Muscat and co . AFL doesn't have State of Origin, because they want to maintain the illusion they are growing in NSW and QLD .
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Rhys Williams, Josh Risdon, Brandon O'Neill, Rostyn Griffiths, Ryan Williams, Shane Lowry all come from ECU.
stu
Guest
Back in season 1 or 2 of the A-League I made the same suggestion with the old UK Home Nations being the inspiration. Was considered at the time as an old concept not needed here. Well, I think it would be great and may well generate more cross border interest than the A-League.
Kevin Walters
Guest
Fantasy Queensland team Full of actual Queenslanders and the off game day Queenslander as per Inglis etc 1 Wally Lockyer 2 Fritz Walter stadium 3 Wally Mal Meninga 4 Wally choppy close 5 Where S Wally 6 king Wally Lewis 7 JT Wally Ronaldo 8 Wally Fullerton Smith 9 Wally Bjerkneie Peterson 10 Wally Messi 11 Wally Mattzari I’ll work on my Victoria team next
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Isiais is listed as a Spanish player by Futwiz, so he can't participate.
Kangas
Guest
“ the guru from Sydney “ Eric Grothe. The guru
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
I tried to get tickets, they sold out on the first day :(
Punter
Roar Rookie
LH, I would never miss a SOO & used to believe Rabbits when he made those comments. In 1999 I was in England & just watched Man United (not a MU fan) win in what was the most amazing last minute(s) of the champions league final beating Bayern Munich 2-1. After the game, I was on this huge high & suddenly a replay of the SOO came on (I had not known the score, before internet, maybe). I watched the the first 10-20 minutes, it just had not the same feeling anymore. Funny most of England (apart from Man U fans) were going Bayern. A couple weeks later I was in Germany & my brother in law living there said most Germans were going for Man U. I never watched the SOO the same anymore. These days I'm normally training on a Wednesday.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Sydney vs ACT and Rest of NSW would be a great game.
R King
Guest
Interesting read Josh, personally I'd find a 'loop hole' and fit Isais into the SA side. What you may not realise is that every time we play Victory it is our equivalent to a state game which is why we enjoy beating them so often. Cue the debate.
Jordan Klingsporn
Roar Guru
Nemesis Even if Degenek and Arzani were not playing for NSW, they would still thrash everyone.