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

[Bjo187]

I think nationally it’d be nothing to sniff at, but in NSW and QLD, the biggest and the third biggest markets, it would be huge thanks to the pre-existing rivalry from the NRL SoO.

It'd kinda be like a combined swans and giants v a combined lions and suns side. I think they would likely both sellout though in both Brisbane and Sydney. The tv ratings will be decent in the southern states just wanting footy, but interesting you think that it would get good ratings in nsw and qld, that makes it even more appealling.

 

[WilloTree]

I'm in favour if it as long as no Freo players are involved.

 

[iameviljez]

I'm in fovour if it as long as no Freo players are involved.

On 2025 form, that's a solid chance

 

[GC2015]

It’s not exactly another planet compared to the 90s.

Nothing has changed that makes SoO more likely to succeed. Arguably, it’s less.

Maybe from your perspective. I see it differently with the emergence of QLD and NSW as states that are starting to genuinely produce some of the best junior footballers in the game on a semi regular basis. That simply wasn't the case back in the 90s when we last saw SoO in the AFL and I think that creates a really interesting dynamic of having potentially as many as five really entertaining state sides competing against one another. A true reflection of the national game we've always strived to be.

I can't speak for the culture in NSW because I've never lived there, but I can tell you with 100% assurity that Queenslanders are very proud of their state and get behind their own teams when they compete. The Queensland rugby league state team is genuinely one of the most entertaining teams in world sport and have always been known to be a team that embraces the underdog tag and will play above themselves in competitive fixtures. I'm sure you'd see something similar in AFL SoO when the Queenslanders take to the field and we all know there's an existing NSW v VIC rivalry from the cricket so it wouldn't be hard to sell that one to the public if it were to happen.

I know Victorians just want to push this narrative that the Daicos boys + Danger and co. are just going to run rampant over every other state and it'll be uncompetitive/boring, but you have to remember that even if that is the case, Victoria aren't the only ones that will be playing in this competition. SA v WA will no doubt be an entertaining fixture as will QLD v NSW and I'm sure there would be a lot of goodwill for TAS + NT when they play too. Plus, who's to say a WA state team can't make it a really entertaining game if they face they Vics in the Div I final at Optus Stadium? Imagine how fired up WA's likely captain Patrick Cripps would be for that opportunity and the crowd would be electric.

 

[speedpeck23]

I think nationally it’d be nothing to sniff at, but in NSW and QLD, the biggest and the third biggest markets, it would be huge thanks to the pre-existing rivalry from the NRL SoO.

Agree, Just give it time to build. One match a year pre season. Don't have a series just one match per state per season....

 

[GC2015]

Andrew Dillon confirmed today that he will discuss the return of State of Origin with the 18 club CEOs on Friday during the Gather Round weekend. Sounds like he wants it to happen. If the club CEOs sign off on it then you'd imagine it's going to happen.

Dillon also confirmed a potential revival of State of Origin — in some form — would be on the agenda at Friday’s meeting between all 18 club CEOs in SA.

“It’s something we are talking about,” the AFL chief added.

“For any form of representative football, what we need to do is come up with something the players want to be involved in and really get behind. We saw that with the All-Stars game in Perth earlier this year.

“I think there is an opportunity at the right time at the calendar for a form of representative football to come back.”

‘Ticks a lot of boxes’: Hint on future of AFL’s Gather Round as Origin talks to ramp up

‘Ticks a lot of boxes’: Hint on future of AFL’s Gather Round as Origin talks to ramp up

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[My_Username]

Andrew Dillon confirmed today that he will discuss the return of State of Origin with the 18 club CEOs on Friday during the Gather Round weekend. Sounds like he wants it to happen. If the club CEOs sign off on it then you'd imagine it's going to happen.

‘Ticks a lot of boxes’: Hint on future of AFL’s Gather Round as Origin talks to ramp up

‘Ticks a lot of boxes’: Hint on future of AFL’s Gather Round as Origin talks to ramp up

www.foxsports.com.au

“I think there is an opportunity at the right time at the calendar for a form of representative football to come back.”

When is that 'right time'?

Realistically, we're looking either before or after the season (clubs will oppose releasing players mid season due to injury and load management concerns). Neither of which are ideal for a variety of reasons, with players either underdone, or in holiday mode.

 

[Bjo187]

It's gonna be pre season I'm sure, as that's the only reasonable option. I was glad to hear him say they only want it every few years that players can represent their state side, to keep it special, or something along those lines. In fact, it was the only interesting thing the world's most boring man said in his 20 min interview .

 

[GC2015]

“I think there is an opportunity at the right time at the calendar for a form of representative football to come back.”

When is that 'right time'?

Realistically, we're looking either before or after the season (clubs will oppose releasing players mid season due to injury and load management concerns). Neither of which are ideal for a variety of reasons, with players either underdone, or in holiday mode.

They've already made it pretty clear that they think February/March a few weeks before the H&A season starts is the right time to hold State of Origin. Mid-season SoO is probably a pipe dream at this point in time and it would be really difficult to get players to commit once the season is over. Every player in the AFL is itching to go in Feb/Mar (as are the fans) so I reckon that's your best bet in terms of making this SoO venture a success.

It's gonna be pre season I'm sure, as that's the only reasonable option. I was glad to hear him say they only want it every few years that players can represent their state side, to keep it special, or something along those lines. In fact, it was the only interesting thing the world's most boring man said in his 20 min interview .

The frequency in which SoO is played is a crucial aspect in its success IMO. If you play it every year then it's basically doomed to fail because players will just take it for granted and not commit because they know they'll be able to play it next year. Every second or third year should work in terms of creating enough incentive for the players to commit.

 

[Bjo187]

They've already made it pretty clear that they think February/March a few weeks before the H&A season starts is the right time to hold State of Origin. Mid-season SoO is probably a pipe dream at this point in time and it would be really difficult to get players to commit once the season is over. Every player in the AFL is itching to go in Feb/Mar (as are the fans) so I reckon that's your best bet in terms of making this SoO venture a success.

The frequency in which SoO is played is a crucial aspect in its success IMO. If you play it every year then it's basically doomed to fail because players will just take it for granted and not commit because they know they'll be able to play it next year. Every second or third year should work in terms of creating enough incentive for the players to commit.

Yeah every 3 years I feel is probably the sweet spot, any more frequent than that and it loses its novelty factor, becomes a burden for the clubs and players etc.

I actually feel as though W.A and S.A. could be every second year though, their players will be more motivated to play than the vics that know they'll likely thrash the other states.

 

[The Terrible Thinker]

“I think there is an opportunity at the right time at the calendar for a form of representative football to come back.”

When is that 'right time'?

Realistically, we're looking either before or after the season (clubs will oppose releasing players mid season due to injury and load management concerns). Neither of which are ideal for a variety of reasons, with players either underdone, or in holiday mode.

Its got the feeling of replace Opening Round with SoO, but play it in the northern states feel.

 

[Underarm]

Its got the feeling of replace Opening Round with SoO, but play it in the northern states feel.

Replacing Opening round with something worse than opening round is quite a feat.

 

[My_Username]

Its got the feeling of replace Opening Round with SoO, but play it in the northern states feel.

Yes, because clubs and coaches will just LOVE the idea of having their stars run out and play a game a week before their season opener risking injury, messing with their pre season training, and in many cases giving them a short break.

Also, putting in the NRL states would be so obviously cringe in it's suckup to NRL SOO that it'd be pathetic.

Whenever it's played, there will be good and bad aspects. Trouble is, that while some fans might like the idea, for the clubs/players, the bad will (almost?) always outweigh the good.

But of course, the fans bring in money, and that'll get the AFL to give it a go (again), and briefly it'll be considered a 'success', but as time goes on (especially as players get hurt), the clubs/players will become less and less interested, and push back against it more and more. It'll then be shelved for another generation until the romance of the idea swells up again and the people who know why it failed before will have either moved on or forgotten how bad it'll be, and we will, once again, get the 'this time it'll be different' refrain.

 

[The Terrible Thinker]

But of course, the fans bring in money

I think you meant TV.

 

[My_Username]

I think you meant TV.

TV brings in money because fans watch it, and as a result of that they can sell advertising. (or make subscription income).

 

[GenericUsername202]

You can all dismiss it, but if the AFL were to create a successful state of origin format, it would bring so much more money and eyeballs to the game. If the players are compensated enough, they would all want to be in it, and there's enough talent that you don't need a stupid allies team anymore. Have it as a conference. VIC VS SA VS WA. QLD VS NSW VS NT or Indigenous All stars. Indigenous players would be able to elect if they want to represent a state or the Indigenous All stars team. Then have the top team from the northern conference vs the winner of the southern in a grand final.

 

[Gough]

I hope all the Hawthorn list is going to have hamstring tightness that week.

 

[Bjo187]

It's happening next year W.A v Vic in Perth Caro reported the other night. This is the best choice of game, however if you wanted to do it over a number of years you'd do it S.A. v W.A then the winner plays Vic the following year. They probably wanna launch it with the biggest bang though.

 

[My_Username]

It's happening next year W.A v Vic in Perth Caro reported the other night. This is the best choice of game, however if you wanted to do it over a number of years you'd do it S.A. v W.A then the winner plays Vic the following year. They probably wanna launch it with the biggest bang though.

But there lies the problem.

Few would care about WA v SA. Indeed, of the 3 or 4 matches they would have to play every year so everyone fells represented, only 1 game ( Vic Vs whoever) would really gather much interest beyond the diehards.

 

[Bjo187]

But there lies the problem.

Few would care about WA v SA. Indeed, of the 3 or 4 matches they would have to play every year so everyone fells represented, only 1 game ( Vic Vs whoever) would really gather much interest beyond the diehards.

I'd care about it, people are gagging for footy content that time of year and that game would be really competitive.

 

[Pistol Night]

I'd care about it, people are gagging for footy content that time of year and that game would be really competitive.

Every club has players originally from most states so the interest would be there in that regard

 

[My_Username]

I'd care about it, people are gagging for footy content that time of year and that game would be really competitive.

That's why I added the bit about diehards....

 

[Bjo187]

That's why I added the bit about diehards....

Well considering Roy Morgan states as of 2024 there are 9 million Australian's watch AFL annually compared to the NRL 7 million, there is a good number of potential viewers there. If it builds into something, then over time you attract those non afl sports fans too like the other state of origin does. But even if it doesn't build into that, it's still a worthwhile exercise.

 

[Cmarsh]

Caro mentioned on the agenda setters her mail is that it will be bought back initially as Vic vs WA in February.

 

[Shipping Report]

Caro mentioned on the agenda setters her mail is that it will be bought back initially as Vic vs WA in February.

Genuine shame this wasn't ten years ago. A Fyfe, Cripps, Coniglio midfield with Bradley and Stephen Hill on the flanks, Buddy and JK with Sonny and LeCras crumbing, and Harry Taylor, late era Luke McPharlin, Alex Rance would have been the best state side in the country.

WA will get its arse handed to them. Wonder if it is at Optus?