“It’d be so good”: Harry Sheezel throws full support behind AFL State of Origin returning

Harry Sheezel has added his voice to the current AFL players who would love for AFL State of Origin to make a return.

The code has not had representative football since 2020’s bushfire relief game, and before that 2008’s Hall of Fame Tribute Match.

Rising Roos star Sheezel says he would love to take part.

“I’m big on State of Origin. I’d love State of Origin to come back,” Sheezel told SEN’s Dwayne’s World.

“Not even to play in, just to watch! It’d be so good.

“But nah, definitely to play in. For someone like me or someone who plays for North Melbourne who maybe doesn’t play at the MCG in front of 100,000 people ever, I’m sure the coaches would be on board with that.

“I’m not too sure how they would make that work, but I’ve been thinking about it and the boys have been talking about it at the club and it would be awesome if they can get that going.”

The NRL’s State of Origin takes place mid-season, with key injuries capable of derailing their season.

However, Sheezel believes the perfect slot for the AFL version would be during a pre Grand Final bye week.

Currently, the league has a pre finals bye, but moving it to before the Grand Finals gives the competing teams an extra week to get ready, with State of Origin able to fill the void beforehand.

Sheezel believes the league should pick pools of players for each state, given naturally some players won’t be available playing deep into finals or going away for their off-season.

“We were talking about this last week when we were in Tassie around the dinner table, we were saying the best way would be if they had a bye before the Grand Final and then every player eligible would go into to the pool to play the week before the Grand Final,” Sheezel said.

“But it is hard because some players’ seasons have finished three weeks before that and some might be away, but I think if the pool is good enough, it’s a big game to play, I’m sure players would get paid for it – not that that’s the motivation – but I’m sure it would work somehow.

“I haven’t thought about it too much, but to play State of Origin sounds good.”

The team at SEN picked a Victorian State of Origin side in May, with Sheezel named on the half-back flank.