Predict the 2026 State of Origin teams

[GC2015]

The WA team is really taking shape now that 9 more representatives have been named. My guess is they'll line up like this:

B: ???, S.Taylor, ???
HB: L.Baker, T.Barrass, J.Clark
C: Br.Hill, S.Bolton, ???
HF: ???, A.Naughton, K.Pickett
F: C.Cameron, J.Hogan, L.Jackson
Fol: D.Cameron, P.Cripps, C.Warner
Int: ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

It's looking like a really strong team! They're certainly giving themselves a chance with several game winners being named in that team. Hopefully we see more Vic players named soon.

I find it pretty extraordinary that Charlie Cameron pulls on a WA jumper when he spent nearly all his life as a kid, up to the age of 17, in Queensland.

Ten more AFL Origin stars named as WA makes controversial pick, Victoria adds third-gen prodigy

Ten more AFL Origin stars named as WA makes controversial pick, Victoria adds third-gen prodigy

www.foxsports.com.au

It's certainly an eyebrow raising decision or lack thereof... I guess we should expect to see Will Ashcroft named to play for Victoria for the same reason. What a sad state of affairs when a developing market can actually lay legitimate claims to several star players in the competition that lived 17 years (Cameron) and 15 years (W.Ashcroft) in Queensland, and yet they both somehow end up playing for arguably the two strongest states in the country instead. A truly sad day for Queensland footy and this comes AFTER the decision to allow Kozzy Pickett to play for WA for essentially the same reason that would be used to claim Charlie Cameron and Will Ashcroft as Queenslanders for State of Origin competitions.

 

[kid_a]

Stuff the haters, the more names that keep getting drip fed the more keen i'm getting for this.

By February after being footy starved for months and genuinely having team in this game to cheer for I'll be keen as a bean as I'm sure most of the people at Optus will be

 

[Bjo187]

The WA team is really taking shape now that 9 more representatives have been named. My guess is they'll line up like this:

B: ???, S.Taylor, ???
HB: L.Baker, T.Barrass, J.Clark
C: Br.Hill, S.Bolton, ???
HF: ???, A.Naughton, K.Pickett
F: C.Cameron, J.Hogan, L.Jackson
Fol: D.Cameron, P.Cripps, C.Warner
Int: ??? ??? ??? ??? ???

It's looking like a really strong team! They're certainly giving themselves a chance with several game winners being named in that team. Hopefully we see more Vic players named soon.


It's certainly an eyebrow raising decision or lack thereof... I guess we should expect to see Will Ashcroft named to play for Victoria for the same reason. What a sad state of affairs when a developing market can actually lay legitimate claims to several star players in the competition that lived 17 years (Cameron) and 15 years (W.Ashcroft) in Queensland, and yet they both somehow end up playing for arguably the two strongest states in the country instead. A truly sad day for Queensland footy and this comes AFTER the decision to allow Kozzy Pickett to play for WA for essentially the same reason that would be used to claim Charlie Cameron and Will Ashcroft as Queenslanders for State of Origin competitions.

I think maybe with Cameron he's getting old so might be retired by the time Queensland suit up. I do like that it strengthens a weak WA team.

If Ashcroft plays for Victoria I'll be filthy. It wouldn't surprise me though, Dillon has such little feel for these kinda things, his decision making is really poor.

 

[Cmarsh]

Stuff the haters, the more names that keep getting drip fed the more keen i'm getting for this.

By February after being footy starved for months and genuinely having team in this game to cheer for I'll be keen as a bean as I'm sure most of the people at Optus will be

Victoria has now filled the majority of the side, and so far its pretty much the best team that could possibly be named.

Even better that players have said they will be looking at going in hard. Lets see if that eventuates, but genuinely very rare you get the opportunity to watch players of that quality on the same park.

If anything its a bit of egg on the face for those doubters who thought the players wouldn't care and their clubs would not support them.

 

[GC2015]

I think maybe with Cameron he's getting old so might be retired by the time Queensland suit up. I do like that it strengthens a weak WA team.

If Ashcroft plays for Victoria I'll be filthy. It wouldn't surprise me though, Dillon has such little feel for these kinda things, his decision making is really poor.

Yeah, look. If Will Ashcroft is not named for Victoria then I suspect that has to do with potentially saving him for a hypothetical Queensland state game in the future and I'd obviously rather have the Ashcrofts lining up for the Maroons over the next decade than a 32yo Charlie Cameron who may play once for QLD. I can live with that outcome.

Stuff the haters, the more names that keep getting drip fed the more keen i'm getting for this.

By February after being footy starved for months and genuinely having team in this game to cheer for I'll be keen as a bean as I'm sure most of the people at Optus will be

That's exactly the intended reaction the AFL wants and I think it's going to work. WA people often get behind big time events like this and I think we're going to see that again in February with a big crowd showing up at Optus. Especially considering their own state team is essentially competing for the status of the strongest footy state in Australia. You certainly can't say it lacks star power!

Victoria has now filled the majority of the side, and so far its pretty much the best team that could possibly be named.

Even better that players have said they will be looking at going in hard. Lets see if that eventuates, but genuinely very rare you get the opportunity to watch players of that quality on the same park.

If anything its a bit of egg on the face for those doubters who thought the players wouldn't care and their clubs would not support them.

That's exactly what has happened and you'll notice the detractors are nowhere to be seen in these threads anymore. All the preconceived opinions about why State of Origin will never work like the high profile players not wanting to play (wrong), the clubs will never release them for fear of injuries (wrong) etc. It's extremely rare to see this level of talent all on field at the same time and I suspect we're going to see a massive crowd show up + very strong TV ratings.

 

[Cmarsh]

Seven more players named for WA.

Western Australia adds seven more players to squad for AAMI AFL Origin

Australian Football League. All the latest AFL news, video, results and information

www.afl.com.au

 

[GC2015]

Seven more players named for WA.

Western Australia adds seven more players to squad for AAMI AFL Origin

Australian Football League. All the latest AFL news, video, results and information

www.afl.com.au

So I'd update the WA team now to look like this:

B: B.Starcevich, S.Taylor, W.Powell
HB: R.Lobb, T.Barrass, J.Clark
C: Br.Hill, S.Bolton, C.Ah Chee
HF: M.Georgiades, A.Naughton, K.Pickett
F: C.Cameron, J.Hogan, L.Jackson
Fol: D.Cameron, P.Cripps, C.Warner
Int: L.Baker, T.Rivers, L.Humphries, ????, ????
Coach: Dean Cox

Pretty strong at either end of the ground. The question mark is the midfield in terms of being able to keep up with the Vics. Crippa and Warner will obviously have to play really well for WA to have a chance or Pickett/Bolton will need to go through the middle of the ground and play really well. I put Ah Chee on the wing, but there are several that could play that role while Ah Chee plays in his preferred position of small forward. I think it's probably fair to say that WA will have the speed advantage over Victoria.

Speed v Skills. Should be an interesting battle!

 

[RUNVS]

So I'd update the WA team now to look like this:

B: B.Starcevich, S.Taylor, W.Powell
HB: R.Lobb, T.Barrass, J.Clark
C: Br.Hill, S.Bolton, C.Ah Chee
HF: M.Georgiades, A.Naughton, K.Pickett
F: C.Cameron, J.Hogan, L.Jackson
Fol: D.Cameron, P.Cripps, C.Warner
Int: L.Baker, T.Rivers, L.Humphries, ????, ????
Coach: Dean Cox

Pretty strong at either end of the ground. The question mark is the midfield in terms of being able to keep up with the Vics. Crippa and Warner will obviously have to play really well for WA to have a chance or Pickett/Bolton will need to go through the middle of the ground and play really well. I put Ah Chee on the wing, but there are several that could play that role while Ah Chee plays in his preferred position of small forward. I think it's probably fair to say that WA will have the speed advantage over Victoria.

Speed v Skills. Should be an interesting battle!

I think Naughton needs to be used as a midfielder as WA can cover him up forward.

 

[Demon13304]

So I'd update the WA team now to look like this:

B: B.Starcevich, S.Taylor, W.Powell
HB: R.Lobb, T.Barrass, J.Clark
C: Br.Hill, S.Bolton, C.Ah Chee
HF: M.Georgiades, A.Naughton, K.Pickett
F: C.Cameron, J.Hogan, L.Jackson
Fol: D.Cameron, P.Cripps, C.Warner
Int: L.Baker, T.Rivers, L.Humphries, ????, ????
Coach: Dean Cox

Pretty strong at either end of the ground. The question mark is the midfield in terms of being able to keep up with the Vics. Crippa and Warner will obviously have to play really well for WA to have a chance or Pickett/Bolton will need to go through the middle of the ground and play really well. I put Ah Chee on the wing, but there are several that could play that role while Ah Chee plays in his preferred position of small forward. I think it's probably fair to say that WA will have the speed advantage over Victoria.

Speed v Skills. Should be an interesting battle!

Yeah I've seen lots of comments about how much Victoria will flog them. Yeah Victoria clearly have a stronger team, but WA have pretty flipping good team.
Also must be said, Pickett the midfielder is underrated almost, - he could honestly play there full time but we also need him up forward as well. He's also been somewhat stuck behind the clogged up inside midfield of Petracca, Oliver, Viney - I think he'll get even more midfield minutes this year for the Dees

It looks like they're also picking actual wingers, half forwards, role players etc. (albeit forced to) whereas Victoria are jam packing the team with midfielders

I can see the Vic doing much better at clearances and what not, but WA slingshotting from half back and just general fast ball moving plays will be great to watch.

 

[Bjo187]

So I'd update the WA team now to look like this:

B: B.Starcevich, S.Taylor, W.Powell
HB: R.Lobb, T.Barrass, J.Clark
C: Br.Hill, S.Bolton, C.Ah Chee
HF: M.Georgiades, A.Naughton, K.Pickett
F: C.Cameron, J.Hogan, L.Jackson
Fol: D.Cameron, P.Cripps, C.Warner
Int: L.Baker, T.Rivers, L.Humphries, ????, ????
Coach: Dean Cox

Pretty strong at either end of the ground. The question mark is the midfield in terms of being able to keep up with the Vics. Crippa and Warner will obviously have to play really well for WA to have a chance or Pickett/Bolton will need to go through the middle of the ground and play really well. I put Ah Chee on the wing, but there are several that could play that role while Ah Chee plays in his preferred position of small forward. I think it's probably fair to say that WA will have the speed advantage over Victoria.

Speed v Skills. Should be an interesting battle!

Surely Curtin is a better winger than those two, is he going to be injured or something?

 

[GC2015]

If Ashcroft plays for Victoria I'll be filthy. It wouldn't surprise me though, Dillon has such little feel for these kinda things, his decision making is really poor.

Victoria have essentially named their full team now and neither Ashcroft has been selected. I think this is a really good sign for the future of the concept because probably suggests both are being preserved for a future hypothetical Queensland state team. It'd be fantastic for the growth of the game to see both Ashcrofts wearing the Maroon jumper in a year or two from now because Queensland could legitimately compete against other states with them in the line up.

Seven more Victorians added to Big V squad to face WA in AAMI AFL Origin

Australian Football League. All the latest AFL news, video, results and information

www.afl.com.au

I can see the Vic doing much better at clearances and what not, but WA slingshotting from half back and just general fast ball moving plays will be great to watch.

I see it the same way. It'll be an interesting clash of styles and we've all seen how effective fast transition footy can be over the last 5-10 years. So even if Victoria are the more skilful team, WA can win if they use their speed advantage in the right way.

Surely Curtin is a better winger than those two, is he going to be injured or something?

Not sure why he hasn't been chosen. Odd.

 

[marcmurphy3]

Hardwick seems like a Mitchell selection. Not at the calibre of the other guys. I doubt he gets picked without Mitchell on the coaching panel.

Though he could play a defensive role on an opposition small. Most the vic team are very attacking unsurprisingly.

I dont think Ashcroft is being saved for QLD. No guarantee they ever even play. I just reckon Vic has so many midfield options hes missed out. There are so many arguable combinations you could make there.

 

[Cmarsh]

Hardwick seems like a Mitchell selection. Not at the calibre of the other guys. I doubt he gets picked without Mitchell on the coaching panel.

Though he could play a defensive role on an opposition small. Most the vic team are very attacking unsurprisingly.

I dont think Ashcroft is being saved for QLD. No guarantee they ever even play. I just reckon Vic has so many midfield options hes missed out. There are so many arguable combinations you could make there.

I'd pick Ashcroft over Dangerfield or Merrett.

 

[Bjo187]

Hardwick seems like a Mitchell selection. Not at the calibre of the other guys. I doubt he gets picked without Mitchell on the coaching panel.

Though he could play a defensive role on an opposition small. Most the vic team are very attacking unsurprisingly.

I dont think Ashcroft is being saved for QLD. No guarantee they ever even play. I just reckon Vic has so many midfield options hes missed out. There are so many arguable combinations you could make there.

There is pretty much zero chance a dual Norm Smith medalist wouldn't be picked, if he were eligible.

 

[Sherrinator]

Game should’ve been WA v QLD and with proper origin rules

 

[weltschmerz]

Vic needs some more forward firepower. Ben King

34

Ben King

Age

25

Ht

202cm

Wt

98kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.2

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

2.2

2star

M

3.5

4star

T

0.5

3star

G

1.3

5star

D

7.5

2star

K

5.6

2star

HB

1.9

1star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.3

1star

G

1.5

5star

D

6.8

2star

K

4.4

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

3.2

4star

T

0.2

3star

G

1.0

4star

could come in if they want three key forwards, or Jamie Elliott if he’s up to it.

 

[Bjo187]

Game should’ve been WA v QLD and with proper origin rules

Queensland have an amazing upcoming midfield, all Australian defenders, just their tall and small forwards aren't that great at the moment.

 

[RUNVS]

I'd pick Ashcroft over Dangerfield or Merrett.

Dangerfield should not be in the Victorian team, not by a long shot. He is only in there based on his name, not what he produced in 2025.

 

[GC2015]

Game should’ve been WA v QLD and with proper origin rules

Maybe we'll see that next year when South Australia presumably host Victoria at the Adelaide Oval and perhaps Charlie Cameron will correct his State of Origin by playing for his actual home state of Queensland against WA at the Gabba.

Queensland have an amazing upcoming midfield, all Australian defenders, just their tall and small forwards aren't that great at the moment.

If Jed Walter lives up to his billing as a top 3 draft pick then he should make a good pairing with the likes of Hipwood, Chol, Gallop and even Ethan Read. The Ashcrofts, Fletcher, Marshall, Annable, Z.Uwland, Graham, Rogers etc should have the midfield sorted for the next decade and there's some great quality in the backline like Andrews, Payne, B.Uwland, Coleman etc. It's really the small forward position that we'd struggle in. Charlie Cameron is obviously a Queenslander and should've been tied to the Maroons, but he's a bit older now and probably wouldn't play many games for QLD anyway. Outside of Charlie, we would need to name makeshift small forwards like Leo Lombard or Dylan Patterson.

Queensland has high quality younger players in virtually every position other than small forwards. We could probably improve in the ruck as well given Chol would likely be our selection in that area at the moment.

 

[Cmarsh]

Maybe we'll see that next year when South Australia presumably host Victoria at the Adelaide Oval and perhaps Charlie Cameron will correct his State of Origin by playing for his actual home state of Queensland against WA at the Gabba.


If Jed Walter lives up to his billing as a top 3 draft pick then he should make a good pairing with the likes of Hipwood, Chol, Gallop and even Ethan Read. The Ashcrofts, Fletcher, Marshall, Annable, Z.Uwland, Graham, Rogers etc should have the midfield sorted for the next decade and there's some great quality in the backline like Andrews, Payne, B.Uwland, Coleman etc. It's really the small forward position that we'd struggle in. Charlie Cameron is obviously a Queenslander and should've been tied to the Maroons, but he's a bit older now and probably wouldn't play many games for QLD anyway. Outside of Charlie, we would need to name makeshift small forwards like Leo Lombard or Dylan Patterson.

Queensland has high quality younger players in virtually every position other than small forwards. We could probably improve in the ruck as well given Chol would likely be our selection in that area at the moment.

Would the eligibility rule allow for Jamie Elliott to be the QLD small forward? First played the game as a junior in Queensland before moving to Victoria.

 

[GC2015]

Would the eligibility rule allow for Jamie Elliott to be the QLD small forward? First played the game as a junior in Queensland before moving to Victoria.

Possibly. Elliott's State of Origin is probably very much up for debate considering he did 2 years in Lorne (Victoria), 7 years in Dongara (WA), 3-4 years in QLD and then a further 4 years in Euora (Victoria) in that order. I've heard Elliott say that he considers himself a Queenslander (he plans on moving back here after retirement) and I think that's because he spent those crucial years of 9/10 to 13 in QLD when you start to take footy more seriously and your parents are heavily involved. Plus, he was in Queensland for those 3-4 years due to his father being sick and I'd guess he looks back upon those last memories with his father fondly while they were living together in Queensland.

So I think there's a fair chance the AFL would allow him to represent Queensland given his situation and I wouldn't be surprised if Elliott wanted to do it as a way of honouring his late father (who was a Queenslander). I'd imagine Elliott would probably have to request permission to represent QLD if a team is assembled while he's still playing. It'd probably solve Queensland's lack of small forward options for the next 2-3 years.

 

[Cmarsh]

Possibly. Elliott's State of Origin is probably very much up for debate considering he did 2 years in Lorne (Victoria), 7 years in Dongara (WA), 3-4 years in QLD and then a further 4 years in Euora (Victoria) in that order. I've heard Elliott say that he considers himself a Queenslander (he plans on moving back here after retirement) and I think that's because he spent those crucial years of 9/10 to 13 in QLD when you start to take footy more seriously and your parents are heavily involved. Plus, he was in Queensland for those 3-4 years due to his father being sick and I'd guess he looks back upon those last memories with his father fondly while they were living together in Queensland.

So I think there's a fair chance the AFL would allow him to represent Queensland given his situation and I wouldn't be surprised if Elliott wanted to do it as a way of honouring his late father (who was a Queenslander). I'd imagine Elliott would probably have to request permission to represent QLD if a team is assembled while he's still playing. It'd probably solve Queensland's lack of small forward options for the next 2-3 years.

Kosi Pickett was granted an exception so I guess Elliot could be to, but Elliott may not need one anyway as it looks as though he would fit the eligibility criteria anyway.

 

[Bjo187]

Maybe we'll see that next year when South Australia presumably host Victoria at the Adelaide Oval and perhaps Charlie Cameron will correct his State of Origin by playing for his actual home state of Queensland against WA at the Gabba.


If Jed Walter lives up to his billing as a top 3 draft pick then he should make a good pairing with the likes of Hipwood, Chol, Gallop and even Ethan Read. The Ashcrofts, Fletcher, Marshall, Annable, Z.Uwland, Graham, Rogers etc should have the midfield sorted for the next decade and there's some great quality in the backline like Andrews, Payne, B.Uwland, Coleman etc. It's really the small forward position that we'd struggle in. Charlie Cameron is obviously a Queenslander and should've been tied to the Maroons, but he's a bit older now and probably wouldn't play many games for QLD anyway. Outside of Charlie, we would need to name makeshift small forwards like Leo Lombard or Dylan Patterson.

Queensland has high quality younger players in virtually every position other than small forwards. We could probably improve in the ruck as well given Chol would likely be our selection in that area at the moment.

Aliir and zorko two all Australians missing from that Qld back line, also you'd probably put Rogers as a small forward as cover initially.

 

[GC2015]

Kosi Pickett was granted an exception so I guess Elliot could be to, but Elliott may not need one anyway as it looks as though he would fit the eligibility criteria anyway.

Elliott was drafted out of the Murray Bushrangers, so going by that criteria, he should be aligned to Victoria. However, like you pointed out, Pickett was given an exception to play for WA and I have a feeling that Elliott would also be given a similar exception to play for Queensland if he asked. The same can be said about the Ashcrofts representing Queensland. Also, Marcus Ashcroft represented Queensland multiple times so there's that as well.

Aliir and zorko two all Australians missing from that Qld back line, also you'd probably put Rogers as a small forward as cover initially.

Although I'd definitely have both Aliir and Zorko (Keays too) in my QLD state team, I'm not fully convinced both will be playing in 2027. Having said that, I'm sure Zorks would love the opportunity to pull on the Maroon jumper one time before he retires. If future Origin fixtures remain in February and Queensland does get the chance to play in 2027, then Zorko may even retire from the AFL but continue to train with the idea of his last ever professional game being played for Queensland.

Anyway. Back on topic. This is how I think Victoria will line up in February:

B: J.Sinclair, J.Weitering, B.Hardwick
HB: J.Battle, T.Stewart, E.Richards
C: H.McCluggage, M.Rowell, M.Holmes
HF: P.Dangerfield, J.Cameron, C.Serong
F: T.Greene, S.Darcy, L.Jackson
Fol: M.Gawn, M.Bontempelli, N.Daicos
Int: Z.Merrett, N.Anderson, Z.Butters, ????, ????
Coach: Chris Scott

A LOT of midfielders have been named for Victoria and will end up playing out of position. Will it work? We'll find out.

 

[Cmarsh]

Elliott was drafted out of the Murray Bushrangers, so going by that criteria, he should be aligned to Victoria. However, like you pointed out, Pickett was given an exception to play for WA and I have a feeling that Elliott would also be given a similar exception to play for Queensland if he asked. The same can be said about the Ashcrofts representing Queensland. Also, Marcus Ashcroft represented Queensland multiple times so there's that as well.


Although I'd definitely have both Aliir and Zorko (Keays too) in my QLD state team, I'm not fully convinced both will be playing in 2027. Having said that, I'm sure Zorks would love the opportunity to pull on the Maroon jumper one time before he retires. If future Origin fixtures remain in February and Queensland does get the chance to play in 2027, then Zorko may even retire from the AFL but continue to train with the idea of his last ever professional game being played for Queensland.

Anyway. Back on topic. This is how I think Victoria will line up in February:

B: J.Sinclair, J.Weitering, B.Hardwick
HB: J.Battle, T.Stewart, E.Richards
C: H.McCluggage, M.Rowell, M.Holmes
HF: P.Dangerfield, J.Cameron, C.Serong
F: T.Greene, S.Darcy, L.Jackson
Fol: M.Gawn, M.Bontempelli, N.Daicos
Int: Z.Merrett, N.Anderson, Z.Butters, ????, ????
Coach: Chris Scott

A LOT of midfielders have been named for Victoria and will end up playing out of position. Will it work? We'll find out.

Maybe those last two bench spots the Ashcrofts will take. As been said before, significant implications for QLD if that happens.