More and more the game is becoming a commercial entertainment exercise.

Slightly off topic and I guess it will never happen because AFL would lose some revenue……reduce the home and away season so that each team only plays each other once (and have some byes to pad out the time between March and September)

Of course it will still be a ‘fixture’, but hopefully it would become less of a contrived and biased fixture. And of course this will never happen

Selfishly I hope Max doesn't play...though I know he will want to

On 14/09/2025 at 19:32, Diamond_Jim said:

Ok... would we play Gawn for example

He’s from NZ isn’t he? 😁

1 hour ago, hardtack said:

He’s from NZ isn’t he? 😁

I never knew that, HT (Gawn born in NZ)

And the best sprinter in the world (horse) Ka Ying Rising, also hails from NZ

They are good at Rowing too

Oh ... and Rugby

My only interest is that no MFC players get injured or suspended.

12 minutes ago, Macca said:

I never knew that, HT (Gawn born in NZ)

And the best sprinter in the world (horse) Ka Ying Rising, also hails from NZ

They are good at Rowing too

Oh ... and Rugby

Actually my bad Macca…turns out he was born in Victoria and then went to NZ.

Grew up loving rep football but as soon as the game went national, the general interest died. EJ kept it going for a while

Went to one of the last Vic/Allies matches at the MCG (2008) and the crowd seemed to be more interested in the Mexican wave (and it was a close finish) Still, a decent crowd of 69,000 attended

Oddly enough, Rugby League copied the then Aussie rules Origin concept way back when, and now that version is incredibly popular. Some say the Rugby League Origin is now bigger than the NRL GF (it certainly gets a massive TV audience

It helps enormously that there are really only 2 States that play the sport and the rivalry is as intense as it gets

So who is going to be compelled to watch WA vs Vic in February? Top level sport needs a bragging rights component. And it needs to be fair-dinkum. It can't be bruise-free

Edited October 21, 2025Oct 21 by Macca

6 minutes ago, hardtack said:

Actually my bad Macca…turns out he was born in Victoria and then went to NZ.

Righto, parents were Kiwi's though and there's not many Kiwi's that prefer footy over Union (are there any?)

Played Rugby for Powerhouse as a little (big) tacker so he might have been lost to Union

6 hours ago, Hellfire Dub said:

I know we're worried about injuries but as someone who loves football and Victoria, I'm delighted that state of origin is back.

I loved watching the international rules growing up in Dublin. The Aussies looked like gods and the punch ups were mighty. However, for all the Aussie strength, fitness and professionalism, often they just couldn't kick straight!

It was great to see a version of the wonderful AMATEUR sport of Gaelic Football played internationally and celebrate the links between the countries.

I admit it was a bit harsh seeing our best players getting poached out here but a good opportunity for them and to be fair it's definitely one of the greatest possible places to make your new home.

So as a new proud Victorian I'll be watching these games with my family.

I'll be teaching my children that when it comes to the other states there's nothing more satisfying than squashing cockroaches!

Would you be if Gawn did an ACL?

15 hours ago, GawnOfTheDead said:

Would you be if Gawn did an ACL?

I can't think of anything more distressing or disastrous (regarding my footy team that hasn't already happened)!

On 21/10/2025 at 19:06, Macca said:

Grew up loving rep football but as soon as the game went national, the general interest died. EJ kept it going for a while

Went to one of the last Vic/Allies matches at the MCG (2008) and the crowd seemed to be more interested in the Mexican wave (and it was a close finish) Still, a decent crowd of 69,000 attended

Oddly enough, Rugby League copied the then Aussie rules Origin concept way back when, and now that version is incredibly popular. Some say the Rugby League Origin is now bigger than the NRL GF (it certainly gets a massive TV audience

It helps enormously that there are really only 2 States that play the sport and the rivalry is as intense as it gets

So who is going to be compelled to watch WA vs Vic in February? Top level sport needs a bragging rights component. And it needs to be fair-dinkum. It can't be bruise-free

I hope it is bruise free Macca. I don't want our representatives injured.

3 minutes ago, old dee said:

I hope it is bruise free Macca. I don't want our representatives injured.

I can only see the whole exercise as being short-lived

Look for huge squads and a monstrous amount of rotations, especially if it's a hot day (likely?)

The West Australians will get behind the concept (at least initially) but ongoing? And elsewhere?

As for Gawn, I'd have him as unavailable (managed) As it stands, we'll need to manage him through the season proper anyway. If he does play, maybe a quarter or 2 only

1 minute ago, Macca said:

I can only see the whole exercise as being short-lived

Look for huge squads and a monstrous amount of rotations, especially if it's a hot day (likely?)

The West Australians will get behind the concept (at least initially) but ongoing? And elsewhere?

As for Gawn, I'd have him as unavailable (managed) As it stands, we'll need to manage him through the season proper anyway. If he does play, maybe a quarter or 2 only

From that Macca it seems you are suggesting he will be out only representative.

2 minutes ago, old dee said:

From that Macca it seems you are suggesting he will be out only representative.

Is Kozzie S.A or W.A? What are the qualification rules?

Ex Demon, Petracca, will probably get a guernsey but that would almost certainty be it, o.d.

Ironically, the next game that Gawn & Petracca play will probably involve both playing in the same team

Edited October 22, 2025Oct 22 by Macca

On 21/10/2025 at 17:48, Macca said:

I never knew that, HT (Gawn born in NZ)

And the best sprinter in the world (horse) Ka Ying Rising, also hails from NZ

They are good at Rowing too

Oh ... and Rugby

And they like sox

It's had its day.

14 hours ago, Macca said:

Is Kozzie S.A or W.A? What are the qualification rules?

South Australia

Edited October 23, 2025Oct 23 by lorn

18 minutes ago, lorn said:

South Australia

We're down to one rep then in my view ... Gawn (out, general soreness)

19 hours ago, Macca said:

Is Kozzie S.A or W.A? What are the qualification rules?

Ex Demon, Petracca, will probably get a guernsey but that would almost certainty be it, o.d.

Ironically, the next game that Gawn & Petracca play will probably involve both playing in the same team

I hadn't thought of that possibility. Other than Max and Kossie it is hard to see anyone else getting picked.

Edited October 23, 2025Oct 23 by old dee

Early re-union of the/Melbourne midfield.

On 21/10/2025 at 19:40, GawnOfTheDead said:

Would you be if Gawn did an ACL?

No it's not.

Used to enjoy it during the old VFL days but with so many interstate clubs, it doesn't really work anymore

It's wonderful for League. I've been a N. S. Welshman for 14 years since moving from Melbourne town and I'm still shocked every year how big s o o is here.

But while Nrl may have a few distant club locales it just isn't the same of the truly national game that is Australian Rules.

I can finally enjoy NRL but it's not the same as AFL.

It's more like soccer.

Occasionally exciting.

But AFL is much faster and has more skills involved.

Tackles.... Speckies ......around the corner goals.....running.....leaping...hand passing.

There's so many more skills required and involved.

It's more democratic..... Spargo tackling Mason Cox.

AFL will always rule and be the number one game and our national sport simply because it's just a more exciting game.

Since we have the Eagles. .. Freo... Sydney...gws.....GCS .. lions.....we don't need s o o.

IMHO

Because of their uncontrollability we should only risk sustaining injuries when there’s 4 premiership points at stake.

Practice matches aren’t worth 4 points but at least they serve a purpose.

This State of Origin match is for sch!tts and giggs only.

I haven't studied the WA cohort but would Rivers be in contention?

I can certainly see him playing if a few pull out (which they no doubt will)