AFL Eyes Resurrected State of Origin The Australian Football League (AFL) has expressed interest in reviving the State of Origin concept, according to comments made by AFL CEO Andrew Dillon. Background State of Origin was an annual representative football series held between Victoria and South Australia from 1977 to 1999. The series aimed to bring together the best players from each state and showcase their talents on the national stage. Renewed Interest While the concept has not been in place for over two decades, the AFL is now exploring its potential return. Dillon recently stated that the league is “interested in looking at the opportunity of an Origin concept” and that discussions are underway with state football bodies. Potential Format Dillon hinted that the new State of Origin series could involve more than just Victoria and South Australia. He mentioned the possibility of including Allies (a team representing all states and territories except Victoria and South Australia) or All-Stars (a team selected from the entire AFL competition). Benefits The AFL sees several potential benefits to a resurrected State of Origin series: * Promote state pride: Rekindling the state rivalry would foster passion and excitement among fans. * Showcase emerging talent: The series would provide a platform for promising young players to prove their worth on the national stage. * Boost attendance and revenue: A highly competitive Origin series could attract large crowds and generate significant revenue for the AFL. Challenges However, there are also challenges to overcome: * Scheduling: Finding an appropriate time slot in the busy AFL season could be difficult. * Player availability: The AFL would need to work closely with clubs to ensure the availability of key players for Origin matches. * Rivalries and bitterness: The intense competition between states could potentially lead to animosity and unsportsmanlike behavior. Conclusion The AFL’s interest in a return of State of Origin is an intriguing prospect. While there are challenges to overcome, the potential benefits are undeniable. If executed properly, a resurrected Origin series could provide a thrilling spectacle for fans and help grow the game of Australian football.AFL Exploring Revival of State of OriginAFL Exploring Revival of State of Origin Andrew Dillon, the AFL’s chief executive, has expressed interest in reintroducing the State of Origin concept into the league’s annual schedule. Fans could potentially witness rival players uniting in a clash similar to the traditional Victoria vs. South Australia matches. Challenges and Considerations Clubs have historically been reluctant to release players for mid-season State of Origin games, citing injury concerns. The league would need to consider how to accommodate this event within its busy calendar. Potential Benefits State of Origin would provide fans with the unique opportunity to witness the AFL’s elite players competing alongside each other. It could also foster a sense of pride and connection among the various states represented. Past Games The only two unofficial State of Origin installments occurred in 2008 and 2020, with Victoria facing an ‘All-Stars’ team. Both games were not widely recognized as true showdowns due to their unconventional formats. Possible Future Teams If State of Origin is implemented in 2025, it could feature rising stars like Nick Daicos and Harley Reid alongside established superstars like Marcus Bontempelli representing Victoria. Club Feedback Dillon is eager to consult with clubs and players to determine their perspectives on the proposed reintroduction of State of Origin. Their input will be crucial in finding a format that balances player safety with fan engagement.AFL boss Andrew Dillon has revealed the league is interested in reviving State of Origin. Speaking at the AFL’s season launch on Wednesday, Dillon said the league was exploring the possibility of bringing back the concept, which was last played in 1999. “We’re always looking at ways to improve our game and to make it more exciting for our fans,” Dillon said. “State of Origin is something that we’ve looked at in the past, and it’s something that we’re still interested in. “We think it could be a great way to bring our fans together and to create some really exciting football.” Dillon said the league was open to considering different formats for State of Origin, including the traditional Victoria v South Australia clash, as well as an Allies v All-Stars match. “We’re open to all sorts of ideas,” Dillon said. “We want to make sure that we come up with a format that is going to be exciting for our fans and that is going to be sustainable in the long term.” Dillon’s comments come after a number of former players and fans have called for the return of State of Origin. Earlier this year, former Victoria captain Tony Liberatore said he believed the concept could still be successful. “I think it’s something that would be really popular with the fans,” Liberatore said. “It would be a great way to bring the states together and to create some real excitement.” The AFL has not played a State of Origin match since 1999, when Victoria defeated South Australia by 10 points.