It’s amazing that so many people talk about wanting the return of AFL State of Origin footy when this time of year comes around in rugby league.
I was only one year old when the last Origin matches were played in 1999, and yet I can understand the frustrations of so many people who want it to return.
The closest thing to State of Origin in the AFL in recent times was the AFL Hall of Fame Tribute Match in 2008. It was an absolute shoot-out, with Victoria beating the Dream Team by 17 points. It was an epic match at the MCG with a crowd of over 69,000.
We saw our heroes play then, so what better way to celebrate our modern game than to bring it back once more, or even more regularly?
The NRL’s State of Origin series has been described by some as a second grand final-type competition, with fans flocking to grounds to watch the state vs state battle even if it’s held at a neutral ground like the MCG or Optus Stadium.
I went to the MCG last year to watch Game 1, and it was awesome – the atmosphere was electric. AFL fans continue to cry out for this sort of stuff for their code, and here’s how the format of State of Origin could work.
Option No.1: AFLX
I am one of the believers in the AFLX format.
This year, the hybrid format made its return after the inaugural 18-team comp last year. Only this time around, they created a four-team competition, with each team captained by an AFL star.
When I first heard this, before the very cartoonish names came out, I thought ‘Gee, four teams, surely they’d make it Origin format?’ But no, I was only so close.
(Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Origin could make a comeback through AFLX. Have four teams again, but instead of naming the teams Flyers, Deadly, Rampage and Bolts, how about Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and the Allies?
It sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
The AFL could make it so that captains of the respective teams select from a state-by-state draft pool. I wouldn’t mind seeing the draft night again, especially when it comes to State of Origin selections.
Option No.2: Mini pre-season competition
A slightly less convenient method is the same format that exists for under-18s state representative football.
These games are great to go to if you have time, but the competition – a staggered five-round season featuring five teams – tends to be held in the middle to business end of the AFL season.
The league could only adopt this format or a similar competition for the top level in pre-season, and it could be an excellent way to welcome the premiership season.
And just like the under-18s, shorten the quarters, change a few rules, and you would have a lesser chance of your team’s stars getting injured, and thus a successful competition.
An AFLX format would work best – it’s simple, easy, and would satisfy fans’ demands for an Origin competition, and people will want to show up to watch it as a rebooted competition going head-to-head with rival footy codes.
Who’s in your ultimate team? Pick the best team and compete with other fans for daily prizes on Draftstars. For the best odds on the game try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place? Set a deposit limit.
Things heating up in Canberra!
Diplomatically answered, Darcy!
For all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds the now-traditional Anzac Day clash at the MCG, there has been one thing conspicuously lacking over…
Old mate summing it up better than anyone possibly could!
