State Of Origin Contest May Return

The AFL is considering a revival of the State Of Origin games next season to celebrate 150 years of football. There is growing support among coaches and others involved in the game for the concept. The games, played midseason in the 80's and 90's, gradually declined in popularity and the last was played in 1999. 

AFL Coaches Neil Craig, Kevin Sheedy, Rodney Eade, Chris Connolly, and John Worsfold have all backed the possible revival, with Eade also saying that the games should include a Tasmanian team as the state has produced a number of stars such as Matthew Richardson, Brisbane's Alistair Lynch, Peter Hudson (Hawthorn), current AFLPA boss Brendon Gale, former Collingwood player and coach Tony Shaw, and commentator Tim Lane. Eade also comes from Tasmania. Lane believes that Tasmania deserves more recognition for its contribution than it has received in the past.

Collingwood Coach Mick Malthouse is less than enthused about the revival, saying the national competition more than compensates for the lack of origin games. He also believes that players might show enthusiasm ahead of time, but then pull out when it comes time for selection. He said the concept needed full support or be scrapped. Malthouse coached the WA side in several state games in the 1990s.

The AFL is believed to be considering teams from Victoria, South Australia, West Australia, and a combined New South Wales-Queensland team. However, Brisbane  CEO Michael Bowers would prefer to see an independent Queensland team. Tony Shaw, who is already planning to write to the AFL, has suggested that there be a Victorian Metro and Victorian Country team, just like the juniors tournament.

Should the concept go ahead, it is believed the league would schedule the games early in the season rather than midseason so as to encourage more player participation. In the last years of the games, a number of players would withdraw from the sides using flimsy injury excuses. Kevin Sheedy said that selfishness on the part of clubs also contributed to the demise of the games as club officials were concerned that their star players would suffer serious injury during the matches.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, State of Origin games were all-star games, with the best players selected for team inclusion by a panel. Players would play for the state in which they played the bulk of their junior games. For example, Eagle star Chris Judd would be eligible for the Victorian team, Saint Nick Riewoldt would line up for Queensland, and Hawk Shane Crawford would play for New South Wales.  Victoria, SA, and WA had their own teams while an Allies team was comprised of players from NSW, QLD, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania. Currently, there are no plans for an Allies team.

Source: Melbourne Age, Herald Sun, editor notes