The Australian Football League is making a multi-million dollar push to revive State of Origin football, with significant financial incentives designed to attract the game's biggest names back to the representative arena.
Lucrative Player Payments Revealed
According to 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary, the league has allocated over $1 million in total deals for the February showcase event. Players will receive a base contract of approximately $20,000 each for participating, with a select group able to earn up to $45,000 through additional marketing commitments with Tourism WA.
These payments represent a substantial increase compared to the last AFL State of Origin match played 26 years ago, when participants received only around $2,000 per player. The new financial model brings AFL payments more in line with NRL State of Origin, where players earn $30,000 per game.
Coaching Staff and Selection Panel Confirmed
The league has officially appointed the coaching and selection teams for the highly anticipated return of state-based football. Chris Scott will lead Victoria, while Dean Cox has been confirmed as Western Australia's coach.
The selection panels feature prominent football figures, with Melbourne great Garry Lyon serving as Victoria's chief selector and West Coast champion Glen Jakovich taking on the same role for Western Australia.
Among the early confirmed participants is Collingwood young gun Nick Daicos, who has expressed strong interest in representing Victoria and is expected to be among the first players selected for Chris Scott's squad.
Mixed Reactions to Single Match Format
While excitement builds for the return of State of Origin after more than two decades, questions have emerged about the limited format. The February 14 clash at Optus Stadium in Perth will feature only Victoria and Western Australia, excluding other football states.
Brisbane Lions premiership player Dayne Zorko publicly questioned the decision to restrict participation to just two states. "We all don't get to play," Zorko stated on SEN radio. "Could you not do a Queensland vs New South Wales team or an Allies team vs the SA team? Why does it have to be just Victoria vs WA?"
Zorko also raised concerns about player commitment during the pre-season period, noting the physical risks involved without the reward of a series victory. "You're embarking on a season, you've just come off the back of a really strong pre-season, and then are you going to put it all on the line for no reward at the end of it?" he questioned.
Despite these concerns, the AFL appears committed to testing the revived format, with the February 14 showdown serving as a benchmark for future representative football opportunities.
