Former Hawk, Bulldog and Kangaroo Jade Rawlings has called for the AFL to bring back State of Origin, albeit not in a playing sense.
After the last official State of Origin game was held in 1999, the competition has failed to reintroduce it – bar for two standalone games in 2008 and 2020 – with injury concerns front of mind for clubs and players alike.
While it’s unlikely the states will ever play again on-field, Rawlings has called for the AFL to name state sides symbolically after each season, much like the All-Australian team.
Given how easy that concept would be to create, Rawlings is “staggered” that the AFL is yet to do so.
“It still staggers me that since the AFL side of State of Origin has weened off, why are we not capturing teams of the year?” Rawlings asked on Sportsday SA.
“Why shouldn’t South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria capture their teams of the year? There are certainly enough players to choose from (from those states).
“It may have to be an Allies with the Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales and Northern Territory element, just to have the numbers across the AFL to do a proper team.
“It’s just one that’s staggered me that we don’t recognise performance by their state as we used to do.”
Rawlings says all the AFL needs to do is present the players involved with a framed jumper as he feels the best of the best from each state deserve the recognition.
“When you meet a player that played State of Origin football, they loved it, they still revel in talking about it,” Rawlings said.
“I feel for current AFL players that don’t get that recognition.
“All it has to be is a jumper in a frame and players picked in positions,
“That is a big deal and when people do it you go, ‘Far out, that’s a serious team’.”
The last State of Origin game, which was held for bushfire relief in 2020, was played between Victoria and the All Stars.
The Victorians won that game 154-108 with Richmond superstar Dustin Martin winning the best on ground medal.