New State of Origin Momentum Sparks Interest for AFL’s Boss

“Proud” Clarke fights back tears | 09:42

AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon will raise State of Origin to players and coaches this year following the success of the Indigenous All Stars match on Saturday.

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Dillon said the buy-in from players and clubs allowed the All Stars match at Optus Stadium to thrive and he has “absolutely committed” to the showpiece again.

However, if the All Stars do not want to play each year, Dillon would like to explore the possibility of State of Origin.

“We’re absolutely committed to Indigenous All Stars, whether that’s every year or every couple of years, that’s the bit we’ve got to work through,” Dillon said.

“In the other years I think that’s where you could look at other types of representative football, whether it’s State of Origin or All Stars, they’re the things we need to discuss.

“The player buy-in is what’s really important, I think, when you see representative football at its best is when the players are highly engaged.

“Like the All Stars were on the weekend and also a shout out to Fremantle for how they embraced the concept as well.”

Dillon was confident buy-in for State of Origin would not be an issue.

“I think historically it was but from what we saw, because the players were so keen to play for the All Stars, I think that put the clubs in the position,” he said.

“I think they’ve (clubs) seen how the players embraced it what they (players) got out of it, how much it meant to the players and that’s when the clubs got behind it.

Victoria and South Australia do battle in the last State of Origin match in 1999.Source: News Corp Australia

“It was great we had coaches from clubs like Xavier Clarke, we had Simon Goodwin, Sam Mitchell over there working with the All Stars.”

Dillon was coy about how soon State of Origin would be played, saying he will speak to players and clubs about potentially playing it next year.

“I can’t rule it in or can’t rule it out, but it will certainly be a conversation I would like to have with the players and the clubs,” he said.

“I think there seems to be a bit of a groundswell for it, finding the right time for it is important, but maybe that weekend we had last is sort of sitting there, people are keen for footy.

“I wouldn’t rule it in but wouldn’t rule it out.”

The last State of Origin match was between Victoria and South Australia in 1999.

— NCA NewsWire