The players seem to want to be able to participate in some form of representative football, in particular the Big V brand if it can be worked.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/afl-players-call-for-a-return-of-representative-football/story-fni5ezdn-1226700945664

What about the following:

• First match to be a Vic vs best of the rest at the G
• If big V win, same again next time until they lose
• When they lose, concept moves to being a SA vs the rest at Adelaide Oval
• Until they lose it stays there
• When they lose it becomes WA vs the rest at Subi
• Until they lose it stays, and when they do lose, it goes back to the G

Means all players are eligible to play for one of the teams each year.

Creates an opportunity for States to have representation along the way in their strips and at their home grounds, the romance of yesteryear can be relived which is great. Means that players who play in the "rest" sides are battling to try and bring State of Origin to their home state (unless you are from QLD, NT or NSW - but they don't have a deep history of State of Origin in AFL).

Not sure it can be done annually, but reckon if the games had a meaning, it would be fantastic to watch. If it was an annual affair,with the chance to win and keep the concept in that State, I reckon players who kit up as the home state would nearly all put their hand up. The all stars may have less success, but I think it will be better than a simple exhibition match, and given the abundance of players to select from the "rest" they should be able to get a decent side up and running each year.

Anyway - something to take us away from the depths of despair we are constantly writing about here on d'alnd

Loved state of orgin footy but it will never work as it once did. So not sure it when worth trying it now.

AFL is too focused on Club based Footy for it to be successful again.

I still remember all the player withdraws from the WA team because they claimed to be injured, which was likely true but they would of still played for their Club regardless.

Oh well we are stuck with beating up the Irish but lossing the games or we could invade NZ and make Aussie Rules their national game.

Loved state of orgin footy but it will never work as it once did. So not sure it when worth trying it now.

AFL is too focused on Club based Footy for it to be successful again.

I still remember all the player withdraws from the WA team because they claimed to be injured, which was likely true but they would of still played for their Club regardless.

Oh well we are stuck with beating up the Irish but lossing the games or we could invade NZ and make Aussie Rules their national game.

I agree it has not worked in the past, but setting up the right framework could make it work.

Imagine the WA locals reaction when their players pulled out for a game at Subi. I sense that it would be high. I also reckon when it was your turn to play at home, you would put up your hand as it would be a career highlight.

The problem in the past was playing for your state in an away game which meant little.

My point above was that if All star players pulled out, there are so many eligible players that could take those spots that the team would still be good.

Would love to see it back!

No Interest what so ever.

There are two teams in SA,WA, NSW and QLD.

There are interstate games every week.

Relic from the past that ran out of steam two decades ago.

One reason why it doesn't work is that there are 3 strong states to fit one game. If it were like the NRL with 2 strong states only then you can set up a contest.

Apart from that as 'old dee' says it's a relic from the past, the players voted with their feet when they wouldn't turn up to play.

I wouldn't mind seeing some sort of representative football, but i am not sure State of Origin is that.

One reason why it doesn't work is that there are 3 strong states to fit one game. If it were like the NRL with 2 strong states only then you can set up a contest.

Apart from that as 'old dee' says it's a relic from the past, the players voted with their feet when they wouldn't turn up to play.

constantly the big names were "injured"

I agree it has not worked in the past, but setting up the right framework could make it work.

Imagine the WA locals reaction when their players pulled out for a game at Subi. I sense that it would be high. I also reckon when it was your turn to play at home, you would put up your hand as it would be a career highlight.

The problem in the past was playing for your state in an away game which meant little.

My point above was that if All star players pulled out, there are so many eligible players that could take those spots that the team would still be good.

Would love to see it back!

As would I but in modern footy everything is about the omighty dollar.

I would like to be so very wrong here.

Do a site search of State of Origin as this chestnut comes up nearly every year

As a concept it's a chocolate tea cup.

You would be better campaigning for the return of the place kick and dressing gowns for the players at the 3/4 time huddle so they don't get cold!

Edited August 21, 201311 yr by Rhino Richards

Loved state of orgin footy but it will never work as it once did. So not sure it when worth trying it now.

AFL is too focused on Club based Footy for it to be successful again.

I still remember all the player withdraws from the WA team because they claimed to be injured, which was likely true but they would of still played for their Club regardless.

Oh well we are stuck with beating up the Irish but lossing the games or we could invade NZ and make Aussie Rules their national game.

totally agree big frog...

If the competition reduces to playing one another Once a season, with 2 Bye Rnds in the H&A season proper, the Bye Rnds offer some time for a S.o.Origin timeslot for some teams, maybe teams not in the top 6?

*Also, during the Finals series a Gap Rnd could possibly happen, maybe the weekend after the Preliminary Finals Rnd, giving the 2 Grand Finalists a week to replenish their wounds?

This timeslot could be filled around the country by a State of Origin series in all states in September, (satisfying TV contracts) & allowing ALL the footy public to engage with One day in September dreaming... & the players to feel the rush of being in their State Representative teams Colours.

.... the players would have a whole off & preseason to recover & rejuvenate.

One reason why it doesn't work is that there are 3 strong states to fit one game. If it were like the NRL with 2 strong states only then you can set up a contest.

Apart from that as 'old dee' says it's a relic from the past, the players voted with their feet when they wouldn't turn up to play.

its called building RJ, & the growth thruout the other states helps this, & they are fed by the excitement of it.

its called building RJ, & the growth thruout the other states helps this, & they are fed by the excitement of it.

Andy Collins, Tony Hall...game over.

I agree with Demonfan26

Representative football is one thing I would like to see, and I think this concept would work, and the players are for it, but don't get all nostalgic about state of origin, I believe that concept should left as is. Dead and buried.

Firstly it's putting the game up against the NRL game which I don't think we shouldn't compete with.

Secondly Victorian's believe that they should have a side... but who to play against? SA? then you leave out WA... and the AFL won't agree to multiple games being played. You also have to think about the smaller states that still have very good players coming from there....?? leave that concept for the EJ Whitten match! and the under 18s carnivals.

However an all-stars v indigenous allstars or some other model (more like the models used in the US dare I say) would be more successful IMO to re-introduce, not because we should copy what they do, but because it would be a new product for the AFL to offer to the public.

No Interest what so ever.

There are two teams in SA,WA, NSW and QLD.

There are interstate games every week.

Relic from the past that ran out of steam two decades ago.

I agree fully, old dee.

Clubs don't want to risk their top players playing State of Origin football.

How would we be if Jack Viney, for example, wrecked his knee and couldn't play with us for 12 months?

Clubs got around this by having their top players declared to be 'injured' come the time of these games.

It was a farce.

It is club parochialism that excites and drives the interest in our code, not State of origin games.

I agree with Demonfan26

Representative football is one thing I would like to see, and I think this concept would work, and the players are for it, but don't get all nostalgic about state of origin, I believe that concept should left as is. Dead and buried.

Firstly it's putting the game up against the NRL game which I don't think we shouldn't compete with.

Secondly Victorian's believe that they should have a side... but who to play against? SA? then you leave out WA... and the AFL won't agree to multiple games being played. You also have to think about the smaller states that still have very good players coming from there....?? leave that concept for the EJ Whitten match! and the under 18s carnivals.

However an all-stars v indigenous allstars or some other model (more like the models used in the US dare I say) would be more successful IMO to re-introduce, not because we should copy what they do, but because it would be a new product for the AFL to offer to the public.

My issue with All Stars vs Indigenous all starts is that it creates a gap between non indigenous and indigenous players in a time when it has never been more important to try and close / eliminate that separation.

The concept I put out there was to make it that each state would try and prove that they are the best and take on the challenge of beating the best of the rest at home.

The games would always have a strong crowd participation for the home team and the all starts wouldn't have much support in the crowd, but they wouldn't have have it if it were an interstate team playing at an oppositions home ground.

Anyway - was just a thought.

We have higher honours in almost all sports I don't see why AFL and AFL clubs should be any different. Players can get injured at training or any other time. The players are for it, so make it happen.

As for the format I think it should be:

Vic v SA - Game 1

Loser Game 1 v WA - Game 2

Final - Winner game 1 v game 2

Rotate who starts where and where each game is played each year. It gets all 3 main football states in play and the majority of players and I bet half of the NSW/QLD/Tas would find links to other states to make it work for them if not too bad.

Too many rubbish games featuring rubbish players get played each week. It's time to put on a regular show case of the top line talent.

Andy Collins, Tony Hall...game over.

so what! thats life...

you pays your money & you takes your chances.

hiding away has done us no favours, sometimes you have to think of others desires to.

if the players are for it, then I'm for it to.

I like SOO...

Too much club $$$ in AFL now, State of Origin was great. But the Premiership Cup is bigger stakes than belting the living crap out of South Australia, particularly over there!!

Injury risk is too high.

so what! thats life...

you pays your money & you takes your chances.

hiding away has done us no favours, sometimes you have to think of others desires to.

if the players are for it, then I'm for it to.

I like SOO...

That's the problem...actions speak louder than words.

They will be all over it the first one because it's a novelty from then on it will be injury city.

That's the problem...actions speak louder than words.

They will be all over it the first one because it's a novelty from then on it will be injury city.rjwell, i'll just have to disagree with ya RJ

well, I'll just have to disagree with ya rjay... I'm of the opinion that its very important for the game, & if players get hurt occasionally, thats just what happens in sport, hamstrings, ankles, some times worse.

it doesn't stop the NRL players & their supporters loving it..

just as we did...

apparently the players do want it back, but maybe the story was just a beat up.

One reason why it doesn't work is that there are 3 strong states to fit one game. If it were like the NRL with 2 strong states only then you can set up a contest.

Apart from that as 'old dee' says it's a relic from the past, the players voted with their feet when they wouldn't turn up to play.

They wouldn't turn up to play because their clubs told them not to - give them some in$entive to play and I'm pretty sure their managers would make sure they were right to play.

I see it as a common sense way to even up the fixture while still maintaining a 22-odd week season and lucrative media rights. 17 game season, 2 byes + 2 SOO weekends gives you 21 weeks, an even fixture and some great footy played by the best in the land.

Why not just forget about state of origin and just have a draft? The coaches of the previous year's grand final take turns picking players until the quota is filled.

Then a game is played between the absolute best players in the league. Simple.

No, no, no, and no.