Follow AFL State of Origin 2026, results, odds, squads and start time from Optus Stadium in Perth
We should know the future of State Of Origin football by 7.45pm.
By then, the sold-out match in Perth will last five minutes and fans will know whether players like WA captain Patrick Cripps have made good on his pre-game promise to “get a chance”.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon speaks to the media in Perth on Saturday.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
The most asked question from players this week was: Will this be a Mickey Mouse shootout?
“I’m a bit bored of answering that to be honest,” Victorian captain Marcus Bontempelli said on Thursday night.
Sorry to be sarcastic, Bont, but we want to see it with our own eyes.
Just because Perth Stadium is a sellout and players say they’re taking it seriously doesn’t mean AFL fans across the country are invested in reviving the concept. Not yet. We want to see it with our own eyes.
AFL boss Andrew Dillon is less worried. Despite lingering doubts and injury fears, the future of State Of Origin football has all but been guaranteed, whether we like it or not.
“I think what we’re looking for is ‘Okay, what happens next?'” Dillon said in Perth ahead of Saturday night’s historic revival of the state-state concept.
“Because you know we have WA v Victoria but we are a national code, are there different ways of playing representative football?
“I know South Australians are really keen to get involved. We also have over 50 elite players at our level for New South Wales, ACT, so it’s more about what that might look like in the future.”
Dillon said the build-up in Perth showed fans were willing to embrace the concept if top players wanted to play.
“Every player that wanted to play lined up,” he said.
“We want to get through tonight but the momentum behind representative football is real.
“I think it would be great to see something similar in the (AFL) W. But we’ll focus on that after the game.”
Victorian coach Chris Scott is also a convert.
“I suspect after Saturday night there will be a burning desire to do it again,” he said.
“I would be surprised if some of the great players in the team, along the same lines as South Australia or the Allies, don’t push the door on making at least two appearances next year.”
