On 16/01/2026 at 23:31, Macca said:

The state of origin game (WA vs Vic) will probably be an open, free flowing exhibition match and largely bruise-free (as opposed to an open, free flowing game where the players are hard at it)

But where's the passion for winning? AFL State rivalry is a thing of the past where as with RL State of Origin, the State rivalry drives the concept

Care factor 100% (RL) vs Care factor negligible (Aussie Rules)

Mind you, if they predominantly held origin games in WA, the matches would pull a crowd. Maybe the same for SA. I'll be watching as will hundreds of 1000's of others who are just keen footy fans

If it's ongoing, I see the 3 main states involved with the games played in WA or SA. Every year? Big maybe

But again, all our passion for the sport rests with the clubs and the premiership

State of Origin is silly in footy.

Interesting that Trac hasn’t been selected yet for the VICs.

Sold out!!

Minimum $50 entry for adults

Players to receive $20k - $45k each

11 minutes ago, Macca said:

Sold out!!

Minimum $50 entry for adults

Players to receive $20k - $45k each

I feel a "new Event" weekend in the making

A bit hard to add another one or two teams and have a play off but with it being pre-season you might just manage

On the player payments... are some being paid more than others? Wonder how the pool is divided.

Edited January 20Jan 20 by Diamond_Jim

1 hour ago, Diamond_Jim said:

I feel a "new Event" weekend in the making

A bit hard to add another one or two teams and have a play off but with it being pre-season you might just manage

On the player payments... are some being paid more than others? Wonder how the pool is divided.

There are marketing components to the player fees

Needs a decent TV audience that is duly satisfied with the spectacle

Can't be bruise-free and then there's the injury factor (major injuries especially)

Needs a lot to go right, DJ

Always thought Bont was the front runner for the big V job, a good and worthy selection.

I do think it's something of a missed opportunity that Max isn't captain, but all the same, at least he can focus more on MFC matters. I guess it remains yet to be seen if he actually remains MFC captain this season as well.

Thankfully they didn't give the job to Jerremy Cameron though - what does this actually say about his AA captain role?

On 20/01/2026 at 17:05, Macca said:

Sold out!!

Minimum $50 entry for adults

Players to receive $20k - $45k each

Is the player payment true? I know we are not the NFL or NBA, but in local context, that is peanuts - probably not much more than match payments received during season proper.

To get players really excited (besides the honour of it <sigh>) then they need a head turner payment wise. $50K for every player in the 23 squad, would be a suffient incentive for players to want to plan. It does make the cost of the event a little more expensive, but its really an investment to see if it will take off again - Timing of it is way off IMO, but during season proper will never work given the potential for injuries etc.

They are starting to drop.....as per the last time this farce was played

Fox Sports

AFL Origin’s three-player boost looms ahead of marquee cl...

Big three-player boost revealed; worrying update on superstar — AFL Origin daily

Just scrap it, was always going to happen. We need to stop thinking we have to compete with every other competition, we already have the greatest game.

Assume Max is in doubt to play ...

Cleary also reports that North Melbourne star Tristan Xerri and three-time Richmond premiership player Nathan Broad are set to be named for Victoria and Western Australia respectively in the coming days, leaving all 18 AFL clubs represented in the first State of Origin clash held outside of anniversary or exhibition events this century.

1 hour ago, george_on_the_outer said:

They are starting to drop.....as per the last time this farce was played

Fox Sports

AFL Origin’s three-player boost looms ahead of marquee cl...

Big three-player boost revealed; worrying update on superstar — AFL Origin daily

I don't think Jeremy Cameron has niggle to get out of Origin. It's pretty clear that his arm was really broken. I mean, he's not even doing full contact training at the Cats - if it was round 1 next Saturday he'd be in doubt as well

40 minutes ago, Demonland said:

Assume Max is in doubt to play ...

Cleary also reports that North Melbourne star Tristan Xerri and three-time Richmond premiership player Nathan Broad are set to be named for Victoria and Western Australia respectively in the coming days, leaving all 18 AFL clubs represented in the first State of Origin clash held outside of anniversary or exhibition events this century.

WA has 3 rucks so I'm assuming they're getting Xerri in to chop out Max.

7 hours ago, GS_1905 said:

Is the player payment true? I know we are not the NFL or NBA, but in local context, that is peanuts - probably not much more than match payments received during season proper.

To get players really excited (besides the honour of it <sigh>) then they need a head turner payment wise. $50K for every player in the 23 squad, would be a suffient incentive for players to want to plan. It does make the cost of the event a little more expensive, but its really an investment to see if it will take off again - Timing of it is way off IMO, but during season proper will never work given the potential for injuries etc.

Care factor close to zero. However, It's the right time as the footy fanatics are itching for any kind of football

But as previously stated, a lot has to go right. To me the biggest factor is whether the players are fair-dinkum or not ... otherwise, it's just an exhibition game

I'll be tuning into the Winter Olympics

Western Australia: Callum Ah Chee, Liam Baker, Tom Barrass, Shai Bolton, Nathan Broad, Charlie Cameron, Darcy Cameron, Jordan Clark, Stephen Coniglio, Patrick Cripps, Tim English, Mitch Georgiades, Bradley Hill, Jesse Hogan, Lawson Humphries, Luke Jackson, Rory Lobb, Aaron Naughton, Jaeger O'Meara, Kysaiah Pickett, Wil Powell, Trent Rivers, Sam Taylor, Chad Warner, Jake Waterman

Victoria: Lachie Ash, Noah Anderson, Josh Battle, Marcus Bontempelli, Zak Butters, Jeremy Cameron, Nick Daicos, Patrick Dangerfield, Sam Darcy, Max Gawn, Toby Greene, Blake Hardwick, Max Holmes, Hugh McCluggage, Zach Merrett, Ed Richards, Matt Rowell, Caleb Serong, Jack Sinclair, Tom Stewart, Jacob Weitering (more to be announced)

On 15/09/2025 at 11:55, poita said:

The players say they want it, but let's see how many of the big names are still on board by the time 14 February comes around.

I'm guessing the clubs will have the final say on whether star players are available or not.

What do you know Jeremy Cameron's has pulled out.

8 hours ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Just scrap it, was always going to happen. We need to stop thinking we have to compete with every other competition, we already have the greatest game.

Had the greatest game. It’s becoming a shadow of when it was at its peak

3 hours ago, Macca said:

Care factor close to zero. However, It's the right time as the footy fanatics are itching for any kind of football

But as previously stated, a lot has to go right. To me the biggest factor is whether the players are fair-dinkum or not ... otherwise, it's just an exhibition game

I'll be tuning into the Winter Olympics

Macca is possible to have less than zero interest?

18 minutes ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

What do you know Jeremy Cameron's has pulled out.

In about 10 days is when they usually drop like flys.

18 minutes ago, YesitwasaWin4theAges said:

What do you know Jeremy Cameron's has pulled out.

It's a couple of weeks to go and I have been drowning in the AFL promotion of the game. Hmm can you drown in one item?

6 minutes ago, old dee said:

Macca is possible to have less than zero interest?

Ha!

The match will probably get a decent TV & Streaming audience first time up, and the match is sold out, so there is a level of interest

Ultimately though, the Aussie Rules Origin will be compared to Rugby League Origin and that's a no-contest in terms of integrity, passion, intensity and competitiveness

But eyeballs on is also a huge factor and I'm often surprised at what people watch for entertainment

1 minute ago, Macca said:

I'm often surprised at what people watch for entertainment

Me too 'Macca'...

Tribute bands for a start, I will never understand that one.