AFL great Brian Taylor has raised major concerns over the league’s proposed revival of State of Origin, calling plans to stage the game in February ‘a load of nonsense’.
With talks gaining traction between the AFL and the Western Australian government to stage a marquee State of Origin match in 2026, debate has flared over the format, timing, and purpose of the event.
The proposed clash would see Victoria face Western Australia at Optus Stadium during the pre-season, reviving a once fierce rivalry dormant for over two decades.
WA deputy premier and sports minister Rita Saffioti confirmed early-stage discussions, saying, ‘It’s not a done deal. But I know the AFL was very keen, and we’re very keen.’
‘There’s some good discussions happening at the moment,’ she added. ‘We think this would be an incredible drawcard for the state.’
State of Origin has not been officially played since 1999, when Victoria defeated South Australia by 54 points at the MCG.
The last official State of Origin was played in 1999 at the MCG between Victoria and South Australia
AFL legend Brian Taylor has warned a February Origin game would fail due to player readiness and heat
While one-off matches have been held since – including the 2008 Hall of Fame tribute and the 2020 bushfire relief match – the true competitive spirit of Origin has faded.
Taylor, who represented Victoria in a 1986 Origin match, did not hold back on Triple M.
‘What are we trying to do here with State of Origin football, playing it in February?’ he asked. ‘Do you know how hot it is in Perth in Feb?’
He argued the timing is illogical given players are not in top form early in the year.
‘How many players are in form on the 6th of February? How are you picking the team? On the year before?’
According to Taylor, true Origin footy is about selecting players based on current form, not reputation.
‘It’s about players playing well, like the All Australian – to achieve the status of getting selected in the side,’ he said.
‘I think this game is not going to work if it’s in Feb.’
WA deputy premier Rita Saffioti confirmed “early discussions” to stage the game at Perth’s Optus Stadium
Brian Taylor believes AFL players would engage more if financial incentives were included in the match structure
He instead proposed using one of the three in-season byes to stage a proper Origin round.
‘Let’s put one of those byes aside for a State of Origin weekend when the players have reached top form.’
Taylor also said financial incentives could boost player motivation.
‘Let’s give the players all of the gate, so a player could get $10,000 to $20,000 each per game,’ he said. ‘Then they’ll absolutely want to play.’
Former St Kilda star Leigh Montagna echoed doubts about the format.
‘You’re probably still thinking of State of Origin in the 80s and 90s when it was South Australia vs Victoria and they were playing for keeps,’ Montagna said.
‘Now it’s more of an exhibition game.’
He said while fans may enjoy seeing stars like Christian Petracca and Toby Greene in the same team, it wouldn’t replicate the ferocity of past decades.
AFL fans continue to debate whether the spirit of Origin can ever be truly revived in modern footy
Taylor agreed: ‘Why do we need an exhibition game of our own game in our own country? People see 20 games a year.’
‘It can’t be before they’ve even completed their pre-season. What a load of nonsense.’
Despite the pushback, Saffioti said many players are excited at the prospect of wearing their state colours again.
The plan would revive the historic Victoria–WA rivalry, last contested in 1992 when the Vics won by 67 points.
WA last played Origin football in 1998 against South Australia in Adelaide.
The rivalry between the states dates back to 1908, when the Jubilee Australasian Football Carnival featured teams from all six states plus New Zealand.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon acknowledged the interest, stating in February: ‘I can’t rule it in and I can’t rule it out.’
‘There seems to be a bit of a groundswell for it,’ he said.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon said he “can’t rule it in or out” but acknowledged player interest was growing
Saffioti believes the February timing makes sense.
‘Pre-season is a good time to do it, as opposed to in-season … the clubs are already playing pre-season games,’ she said.
‘And we saw the Indigenous All Stars, we had some incredible players out there … it makes a bit of sense to do it during February.’
The AFL’s State of Origin officially began in 1977 and flourished in the ’80s and early ’90s before declining due to injury concerns and club opposition.
Whether it returns in a genuine form or becomes another one-off exhibition remains to be seen.
But Taylor’s blunt assessment captures the growing divide.
‘Are we kidding ourselves? Are we trying to make this work?’ he asked.