News "State of Origin is back" - Eddie McGuire, March 2025

[fargothegreat]

Do it as a 3 year tournament with VIC, WA and SA on rotation (e.g. Year #1: WA vs VIC, Year #2: SA vs WA, Year #3: Vic vs SA). Make it a formal thing with a trophy at the end with actual stakes rather than an exhibition match.

Perhaps we could look at adding QLD and NSW some time in the future if the game grows enough in popularity and strength in those states, but for now I'd leave them out. No point having Tassie in there either (and this is coming from a Tasmanian), as we'll essentially have a Tassie state of origin team playing every week from 2028.

Keep the Indigenous All Stars as a separate thing and have them play every year from 2028 in a practice match against the team who doesn't have an opponent (odd number of teams with 19).

 

[GC2015]

I really hope they do a NSW vs QLD game. If they do not it is a massive missed opportunity.

Do NSW v QLD as a curtain raiser for the WA v VIC game to ensure interest. SA can play TAS on the Friday night at Adelaide Oval and the other two can be played in Perth on the Saturday.

 

[Cmarsh]

Do NSW v QLD as a curtain raiser for the WA v VIC game to ensure interest. SA can play TAS on the Friday night at Adelaide Oval and the other two can be played in Perth on the Saturday.

I like the idea of Tasmania being involved. Good lead up to getting their own AFL side.

 

[RUNVS]

I like the idea of Tasmania being involved. Good lead up to getting their own AFL side.

Problem is the Tasmanian side would be so bad they couldn't play any other state and get within 200 points.

 

[GC2015]

Problem is the Tasmanian side would be so bad they couldn't play any other state and get within 200 points.

Tassie v NT?

 

[RUNVS]

Tassie v NT?

Maybe, but NT is just a territory.

 

[Clark G]

Footy in Perth in February. Has anyone actually thought this through?

BT has similar feelings.

https://www.ntnews.com.au/sport/afl/kidding-ourselves-debate-erupts-over-afls-plan-to-revive-state-of-origin/news-story/e9d7807a86660f20e569915c5d3cb73c

 

[Cursed Cat]

this will suck; will be like circle work.

 

[Walshawk]

The only matches that anyone cares about is Wa v Vic in Perth and SA v Vic in Adelaide. Forget anything else.

 

[Cmarsh]

The only matches that anyone cares about is Wa v Vic in Perth and SA v Vic in Adelaide. Forget anything else.

Of which both matches will likely be uncompetitive.

 

[RUNVS]

Of which both matches will likely be uncompetitive.

South Australia vs Western Australia would be close.

 

[Cmarsh]

South Australia vs Western Australia would be close.

Maybe. But I was responding to Walshawk's post.

 

[RUNVS]

Maybe. But I was responding to Walshawk's post.

Victorians do tend to think they are the only state that matters. Don't feed that belief.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Rugby League SOO is a phenomenon.

Even though I think Aussie Rules is always a better spectacle, that game on Wednesday night was incredible.

But I think it was a unique set of circumstances that led to RL SOO’s extraordinary place in the Australian sporting landscape, and though in theory I would find a revived Aussie rules SOO series tantalising, I just don’t think those unique circumstances exist for it, and they can’t be confected.

 

[Carringbush2010]

Victorians do tend to think they are the only state that matters. Don't feed that belief.

What gives you that impression?

 

[Roobs321]

one thing to look forward to come the 2040s is that we’ll never have to hear about this nonsense again, just gotta endure this reheated wank for a few media cycles longer.

 

[Cmarsh]

Rugby League SOO is a phenomenon.

Even though I think Aussie Rules is always a better spectacle, that game on Wednesday night was incredible.

But I think it was a unique set of circumstances that led to RL SOO’s extraordinary place in the Australian sporting landscape, and though in theory I would find a revived Aussie rules SOO series tantalising, I just don’t think those unique circumstances exist for it, and they can’t be confected.

Essentially what underpins the success of the RL SoO if the comparitive playing depth pool from which both states have is fairly consistently even. If it didn't have that, it would fall flat.

This is why I believe in an AFL context involving a Victorian state side means that playing depth disparity is magnified, and thus becomes unviable as a format.

Having states that are more even on paper like Queensland, WA and SA playing each other is a way of addressing competitiveness. But the conundrum is not involving Victoria makes an attempt at SoO commercially much less appealing.

 

[Cmarsh]

one thing to look forward to come the 2040s is that we’ll never have to hear about this nonsense again, just gotta endure this reheated wank for a few cycles longer.

What happens in the 2040's?

 

[Gough]

Rugby League SOO is a phenomenon.

Even though I think Aussie Rules is always a better spectacle, that game on Wednesday night was incredible.

But I think it was a unique set of circumstances that led to RL SOO’s extraordinary place in the Australian sporting landscape, and though in theory I would find a revived Aussie rules SOO series tantalising, I just don’t think those unique circumstances exist for it, and they can’t be confected.

If SOO is such a big deal for the AFL then I'm sure they'd be happy to put all their resources into a WA v SA game in February. They could hold it at what's left of Subiaco or Footy Park for that real retro experience.

 

[Carringbush2010]

One thing that hardly ever gets mentioned is fan engagement.

If you look at RL SOO, it is valued by the fans more than the club competition. The club comp is a bridesmaid competition, ask any RL fan and they'll likely tell you that SOO is the pinnacle.

For Australian rules SOO to work at least one element would be needed.

It's us the fans that'd need to value it much higher than just a coupla games mid season between the country's best players.

We'd need to value it so much that it has incentive for players to players and for clubs to allow their players to play.

The problem is, us the fans largely value the club competition over any sort of SOO bragging rights. Sure we're all for the bragging rights but we're more invested in our club winning the flag.

^Until that changes SOO will never be what we want it to be, do we even want it to be? Do we want it to be the pinnacle above our clubs own success? I doubt it.

 

[Osho]

Ed needs to keep himself relevant. For himself.

I note that the Ed and Jimmy Show, now temporarily the Jimmy and James Show is kicking goals with Ed away. It's so good listening to two blokes who used to play footy pretty well, listen to each other before speaking. A Conversation. Who'd have thought that's what many folk want to hear.

 

[Walshawk]

One thing that hardly ever gets mentioned is fan engagement.

If you look at RL SOO, it is valued by the fans more than the club competition. The club comp is a bridesmaid competition, ask any RL fan and they'll likely tell you that SOO is the pinnacle.

For Australian rules SOO to work at least one element would be needed.

It's us the fans that'd need to value it much higher than just a coupla games mid season between the country's best players.

We'd need to value it so much that it has incentive for players to players and for clubs to allow their players to play.

The problem is, us the fans largely value the club competition over any sort of SOO bragging rights. Sure we're all for the bragging rights but we're more invested in our club winning the flag.

^Until that changes SOO will never be what we want it to be, do we even want it to be? Do we want it to be the pinnacle above our clubs own success? I doubt it.

RL fans don’t really value it higher. Well they do, but it only for a few weeks. If you ask a RL fan about their hopes for season 2026, the vast majority would want their team to do well, and would not be thinking about SOO. In June and July it is irresistible, but it is soon forgotten and fans focus returns to their club winning the premiership.

If we are talking about a AFL SOO game in February, it only has to hold our attention for a fortnight. Which it likely would.

 

[Cmarsh]

If SOO is such a big deal for the AFL then I'm sure they'd be happy to put all their resources into a WA v SA game in February. They could hold it at what's left of Subiaco or Footy Park for that real retro experience.

Hasn't footy park been demolished?
Pretty sure they have removed the stands from Subi.

 

[Stottzy]

I honestly just think this will he a fizzer by the 2nd year. Interest will have people tune into the 1st one, but once everyone realises it's not going to match the intensity of League origin, they'll tune out. The response from players about if they would want it has been "sure, should be fun". We don't want an athletes EJ Whittens game!

 

[greatwhiteshark]

One thing that hardly ever gets mentioned is fan engagement.

If you look at RL SOO, it is valued by the fans more than the club competition. The club comp is a bridesmaid competition, ask any RL fan and they'll likely tell you that SOO is the pinnacle.

For Australian rules SOO to work at least one element would be needed.

It's us the fans that'd need to value it much higher than just a coupla games mid season between the country's best players.

We'd need to value it so much that it has incentive for players to players and for clubs to allow their players to play.

The problem is, us the fans largely value the club competition over any sort of SOO bragging rights. Sure we're all for the bragging rights but we're more invested in our club winning the flag.

^Until that changes SOO will never be what we want it to be, do we even want it to be? Do we want it to be the pinnacle above our clubs own success? I doubt it.

It has to come from head office for SOO to work. They must put SOO above all else and make rules and regs which make it impossible for players not to participate and have huge club penalties for not participating.
Only then will the fans see it for what it should be which is the pinnacle of the sport.
But if you let the clubs dictate things then the fans will turn a blind eye to it.
The AFL have to promote the changes as the blockbuster of the blockbusters and then the players have to want to play for their state.
I think they do want to but they have their clubs in their ear telling them other things.
The clubs must be told in no uncertain terms that SOO is the pinnacle and they will make it so that the players will beg to play it.
Like you said before that’s a big leap from what we have so it’s hard to see. But until the AFL make it their pinnacle it will never be what it should be