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

[Boxhead_31]

The game is far bigger nationally than what it was then.

I was also around, so I know what the issues were.

Players also haven’t played it in over a generation, so yeah, scarcity matters when players fobbed it off because they had played it for 10 years, especially those who had played it when at their SANFL and WAFL clubs in the 80’s

Players will crawl over glass to play this, mark my words

Over a generation?
Dangerfield played in the last SOO game

 

[PonsfordMagpie]

I've got zero interest in SoO.

I just pray that there's no injuries.

 

[Sphynx]

Over a generation?
Dangerfield played in the last SOO game

That wasn’t a state of origin game.

Victoria hasn’t played WA since 1992, I’d classify 33 years as over a generation…

 

[Pistol Night]

I've got zero interest in SoO.

I just pray that there's no injuries.

If it’s a glorified practice match like Freo v the indigenous boys early this year it has some entertainment value but all the big names will have mysterious injuries the week off SOO I’m predicting that miraculously heal after the game

 

[Sphynx]

If it’s a glorified practice match like Freo v the indigenous boys early this year it has some entertainment value but all the big names will have mysterious injuries the week off SOO I’m predicting that miraculously heal after the game

I doubt it.

I think you will find the complete opposite.

It may be the only time they ever get to pull on the jumper.

Plenty of players still cite the All Stars game as a career highlight.

That game wasn’t played at half rat power, so no idea why people would think an actual SOO game for sheep stations between the states would be…

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Not worth it for risk of injury. AFL is too professional now.

Only shit mickey mouse sports that nobody takes seriously like NRL can have State of Origins.

I'm no great fan of NRL but you are kidding yourself if you think nobody takes it seriously.

 

[Bostonian]

The same way clubs do in soccer if they get injured in a meaningless international friendly.

Another example of worthless shit games.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

And this is why its a balls up. Theres no NSW V QLD rivalry like league.

Exactly. It's the pure simplicity of the RL version that is so strong. Same two states, best of three encounters, every year. Like rugby league or not, it's a phenomenon.

 

[hampton]

I mean this is just dressing up a pre-season trial game as a 'marquee' event that's not going to be treated as such by players nor viewed as such by fans. Classic Dill. It just smells like Dill sniffing around for more 'innovation' ideas that he can steal from NRL and do worse.

Either do it properly not at all, it devalues the idea of representative games by doing it so poorly mid February.

 

[Pistol Night]

Exactly. It's the pure simplicity of the RL version that is so strong. Same two states, best of three encounters, every year. Like rugby league or not, it's a phenomenon.

Absolutely. I’m envious of how fanatical the fans are about Origin up there

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

The only way SOO makes a proper comeback is if players and fans alike support their state with the same passion as soccer fans support their country at World Cups. And that just isn't happening in footy.

Yup. Even though I would be barracking for NSW and would be quietly chuffed if they won, I don't really GAF about state rivalries.

 

[Red Bull]

A load of shit and will be treated as such by the clubs …

 

[Rob]

You all know the WA government has paid for this yeah?

Hopefully they also paid for a 6:30pm start time as well.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Absolutely. I’m envious of how fanatical the fans are about Origin up there

It's almost becoming like the NRL H&A season is a feeder comp for SoO.

 

[Bjo187]

Give it a chance ffs. I remember when 90% of this forum was sooking about Gather Round when it first got announced, and now it’s easily one of the best weekends of the season.

WA footy badly needs a shot in the arm and this could be it. If you don’t try new things, you’ll never know if you’re onto a winner.

All I want is a close, competitive game, because let’s be real — rep footy only works if the contests are tight. The bigger issue though is WA’s development. The talent coming through is shocking right now — only one kid tipped to go in the top 30 this draft, and none in the top 20. If that doesn’t improve, it’ll kill off State of Origin before it even has a chance.

 

[hampton]

Yes it won't be a good look if it's 140-50 to Vic.

 

[Rod Stroker]

the upside to us being shit is that hopefully none of our players will be selected to play in it.

 

[Rob]

Yes it won't be a good look if it's 140-50 to Vic.

Funnily enough that was close to the score in reverse in the first ever state of Origin.

 

[kreuze_missile]

Care factor is not quite zero, but it's very close.

A better idea would be AFL-E , which would be a bit like AFL-X but we take all the gender labels off and let everyone play together.

We could lead the world in equality - he/hims, she/hers, they/thems, LGBTBQ's and everyone in between all playing together.

Wouldn't it be wonderful.

 

[Pistol Night]

Care factor is not quite zero, but it's very close.

A better idea would be AFL-E , which would be a bit like AFL-X but we take all the gender labels off and let everyone play together.

We could lead the world in equality - he/hims, she/hers, they/thems, LGBTBQ's and everyone in between all playing together.

Wouldn't it be wonderful.

Crippa could be WA captain and finally get to hold up something after the game?

 

[kreuze_missile]

Crippa could be WA captain and finally get to hold up something after the game?

He's the single most decorated player in the modern era.

If he has to hold any more trophies his shoulders are literally going to fall off.

I'm not even sure he is going to be able to lift the premiership cup in 2026 without help.

 

[Pistol Night]

He's the single most decorated player in the modern era.

If he has to hold any more trophies his shoulders are literally going to fall off.

I'm not even sure he is going to be able to lift the premiership cup in 2026 without help.

He should whack them all in a cabinet and try and win a flag like a normal campaigner then?

 

[Lingsface]

Powell Taylor Baker
Clark Barrass Humphries
Bolton Cripps Curtin
Pickett Naughton Waterman
Hill Hogan Georgiades

English Warner Jackson

Neale Starcevich Cameron Ah Chee

vs

Stewart Weitering Worrell
Young Wilkie Sheezel
Holmes Bont Mcluggage
Greene Cameron Butters
Elliot Darcy Gunston

Gawn Daicos Serong

Newcombe Morris Smith King

 

[kreuze_missile]

He should whack them all in a cabinet and try and win a flag like a normal campaigner then?

No, he shouldn't chase "flags".

They are a dated measure of success which was clearly established as fact in this thread:

Why premierships are a dated measure of success and individual accolades matter more

Premierships have long been seen as the ultimate measure of success in the AFL. However, they only capture a moment in time and depend on many factors like luck, injuries, and timing. This makes them a limited and outdated way to judge a club’s true strength. Individual awards such as the...

www.bigfooty.com

I have no idea why September gets so much fanfare. All the real trophies have already been decided.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Very sad they not done this mid year, it will be nothing but a little exhibition match with virtually no meaning at this time of the year. Again the AFL stuff it up. No idea this organisation.