Preview State of Origin 2026: WA v Victoria, Optus Stadium, Sat 14/2 4.40pm local / 7.40pm AEDT

[kid_a]

Apologies if this has already been covered already in this thread or somewhere else.

Was the decision to exclude SA this year a strategic one, i.e build up so much resentment among Croweaters at being left out that next year (?) when they’ll be drawn against the big V (is this the schedule?) they’ll come out breathing fire.

If so, I like it, in that passion around SOO is kind of intangible. If you have a wrong that needs righting, even if you create something artificial at the beginning, then maybe just maybe the concept can thrive.

I’m a bit dubious (that the players will care enough) but hopeful.

Failing that does anyone know how to bring back Arty Beatson from heaven? If we could assign him to WA and Mick Cronin to VIC and get them to punch on in the first quarter maybe we can generate lightning in a bottle?

SA aren't involved this year because the idea and money put up for hosting the event was done by the WA government, also Patty Cripps had been in Dillon's ear about S.O.O.

Worth also noting that the concept of state of origin was thought up by a Western Australian and the first proper State of "Origin" Match was between WA & Victoria in Perth, 1977. So I guess it's a nod to that too, being the first of (well what the AFL hope at least) what is the rekindling of the concept.

 

[Hysteria]

Glad that SOO is back but lets face it, The concept is a Nick Daicos Knee injury away from being abandoned forever.
It will be a good showcase for the game much like the indigenous all-stars game was last year. But anyone expecting it to reach the heights of yesteryear will end up dissapointed.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

Apologies if this has already been covered already in this thread or somewhere else.

Was the decision to exclude SA this year a strategic one, i.e build up so much resentment among Croweaters at being left out that next year (?) when they’ll be drawn against the big V (is this the schedule?) they’ll come out breathing fire.

If so, I like it, in that passion around SOO is kind of intangible. If you have a wrong that needs righting, even if you create something artificial at the beginning, then maybe just maybe the concept can thrive.

I’m a bit dubious (that the players will care enough) but hopeful.

Failing that does anyone know how to bring back Arty Beatson from heaven? If we could assign him to WA and Mick Cronin to VIC and get them to punch on in the first quarter maybe we can generate lightning in a bottle?

Discussions underway to bring SA to WA next year. It will happen. Unless there's catastrophic injuries in the coming game.

 

[kid_a]

Glad that SOO is back but lets face it, The concept is a Nick Daicos Knee injury away from being abandoned forever.
It will be a good showcase for the game much like the indigenous all-stars game was last year. But anyone expecting it to reach the heights of yesteryear will end up dissapointed.

True

I reckon if he plays and gets injured in a wildcard game, that'll be the end of that too

 

[Billy ray]

Discussions underway to bring SA to WA next year. It will happen. Unless there's catastrophic injuries in the coming game.

neither state wants to play the other, they just wanna play the vics

remember that cracking state game SA v WA back in whenever? of course not

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

neither state wants to play the other, they just wanna play the vics

remember that cracking state game SA v WA back in whenever? of course not

The last cracking contest was the one in 1994 at football Park. SA won but it will forever be remembered by Gary Abletts freak goal that he kicked over his head. Even when they loss the Vics take centre stage and steal the show.

Let's not talk about 99. It was savage.

 

[Rich01]

There's a different to hitting a contest hard and cracking in to hurt.

You’re living in the past. This rarely happens anymore, even in finals. And when it does, players generally get suspended.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

You’re living in the past. This rarely happens anymore, even in finals. And when it does, players generally get suspended.

Exactly

 

[gungho]

If Jaeger O Meara can get a game for WA, and Andrew Brayshaw

8

Andrew Brayshaw

Age

26

Ht

185cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.8

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

9.3

5star

M

2.6

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

2.1

4star

D

18.4

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

10.8

5star

M

3.3

3star

T

4.8

5star

CL

3.1

4star

D

12.6

4star

K

6.0

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

2.6

3star

T

4.0

5star

CL

0.8

3star

can’t get a game for Victoria, the WA lads could be in for a tough day.

 

[PowerfulPies2023]

If Jaeger O Meara can get a game for WA, and Andrew Brayshaw can’t get a game for Victoria, the WA lads could be in for a tough day.

It's OK.. were going to go easy on them.

 

[Howard Littlejohn]

nah, WA govt went directly to the AFL and coughed up a heap of coin and AFL couldnt say no.

Yep, sadly its the only reason there is a game at all. There's no strategy or anything, just unexpected money to be grabbed.

 

[RUNVS]

The Big V will write their own script come the weekend. Don't you worry about that.

Yes, but will that script be "Grown Ups 2"?

 

[kid_a]

If Jaeger O Meara can get a game for WA, and Andrew Brayshaw can’t get a game for Victoria, the WA lads could be in for a tough day.

You could argue that WA has a more balanced side though, vics will be shoe horning mids into unnatural positions

 

[Rookie Error]

Discussions underway to bring SA to WA next year. It will happen. Unless there's catastrophic injuries in the coming game.

I was thinking Lachie Neale was from WA and why he wasn't playing but looking him up he's from SA

​

 

[Baggers2026]

You could argue that WA has a more balanced side though, vics will be shoe horning mids into unnatural positions

Couldn’t agree more mate. Going on Saturday. Can’t wait to absolutely rip the skin off the Vics. Keen as mustard to watch big Rick lead us out on his home deck.

 

[Corn Cobbers]

This really should be a drubbing, Vics way too strong

 

[btdg]

Glad that SOO is back but lets face it, The concept is a Nick Daicos Knee injury away from being abandoned forever.
It will be a good showcase for the game much like the indigenous all-stars game was last year. But anyone expecting it to reach the heights of yesteryear will end up dissapointed.

The fact that they have decided to bring this back, in Perth, in February, is an injury catastrophe waiting to happen.

We know that ACL and other season-ending injuries are most likely to occur early in the season, particularly when players are ramping up from 'training' loads to full match speed, and increased when you play on hard or unfamiliar grounds.

To take the best 46 players in the competition and put them all in a single, supposedly competitive/full pace match in unfamiliar roles, in these conditions, and just playing with fire.

It's a pity. As has been mentioned elsewhere, the week after the GF is the perfect time for SOO - battle hardened but well rested players who can be selected based on current season form, and who can have an extended break/pre-season immediately afterwards, minimising the impact of any injury outside of the absolute worst.

Would love to see SOO back for good, but this year I'm only watching to pray that no Carlton players get injured (and tbh, that no-one across the league does... no one wants to see that)

 

[kid_a]

The fact that they have decided to bring this back, in Perth, in February, is an injury catastrophe waiting to happen.

We know that ACL and other season-ending injuries are most likely to occur early in the season, particularly when players are ramping up from 'training' loads to full match speed, and increased when you play on hard or unfamiliar grounds.

To take the best 46 players in the competition and put them all in a single, supposedly competitive/full pace match in unfamiliar roles, in these conditions, and just playing with fire.

It's a pity. As has been mentioned elsewhere, the week after the GF is the perfect time for SOO - battle hardened but well rested players who can be selected based on current season form, and who can have an extended break/pre-season immediately afterwards, minimising the impact of any injury outside of the absolute worst.

Would love to see SOO back for good, but this year I'm only watching to pray that no Carlton players get injured (and tbh, that no-one across the league does... no one wants to see that)

I wonder if soccer fans whinge and worry as much about their players (whom are worth oodles more money) osolating between club and rep games....or rugby fans about their players.

Rep games mean risk but hey that's life in pro sport. The players all want to play and partake, a lot of fans (in WA at least....and judging by how miffed the south Aussies are I'd say them too) want to see it.

Such a high proportion of AFL fans are so precious and so conservative to keeping things to the stock standard premiership season only.

Why aren't more of us just embracing this game and just hoping for the best rather than bringing up the risks that exist in every game of footy and in every pro sport

 

[deck]

I wonder if soccer fans whinge and worry as much about their players (whom are worth oodles more money) osolating between club and rep games....or rugby fans about their players.

**** oath the do. Especially when they ain't representing their country in a competition their country isn't competing in or it's a friendly.

 

[My_Username]

nah, WA govt went directly to the AFL and coughed up a heap of coin and AFL couldnt say no.

That and a bit of an even up for gather round.

 

[My_Username]

Yes, but will that script be "Grown Ups 2"?

Could be worse.
Could be Star Trek Academy.

 

[RUNVS]

Could be worse.
Could be Star Trek Academy.

I miss Lower Decks.

 

[Rotayjay]

If the Sandgropers win, it'll be a famous victory. Greene, Bontempelli, McCluggage, Daicos, Gawn and Rowell in the same team are going to be hard to beat.

Realistically this is a bit of a Mickey Mouse event, but these 50 players would be pinching themselves to play for their state. A whole generation of players has passed through who never got that opportunity.

 

[Sherrinator]

Love to see the QLD government stump up for a Queensland v SA/WA game next year.

 

[Ian Dunross]

SOO is the best nostalgia hit

If the AFL released a woollen long sleeve SOO jumper I'd pay silly money for one of those