Dillon hits back at Hinkley's Origin criticism

AFL CEO Andrew Dillon has responded to SEN Ken Hinkley’s criticism of the Origin coaches being active in the league.

Suggesting it gives the likes of Chris Scott, Sam Mitchell, Dean Cox and Justin Longmuir an unfair advantage when it comes to approaching players nearing the end of their contracts, Hinkley said the AFL had not given enough thought to the coaching choices.

Origin will be played in WA this weekend for the first time since 1999.

The likes of Zak Butters, Chad Wingard, Zach Merrett and Ben King will be among the 50 strong squads with all of them either available through free agency at the end of 2026 or believed to be interested in moves away from their current clubs.

“It is an absolute advantage to those coaches and these clubs,” Hinkley said on SEN Sportsday.

“Connection is the word we all look for. If you get a four- or five-day opportunity to create a connection with a potential new player…

“There's enough discrepancies in the game, this is another one the AFL didn’t need to add to it. This was a simple AFL decision they have not thought about in any way shape or form about the advantages.

“The AFL have not given any thought to what should have happened here. There’s so many others that could have coached the sides. Adam Simpson, Paul Roos… the list goes on.”

Asked for his response to Hinkley’s criticism, Dillon told SENWA: “It was a conversation we had but we thought the best way to have buy-in from the players and club was to have current coaches.

“Dean Cox and Justin Longmuir and Sam Mitchell and Chris Scott for Vics, I think the clubs feel more comfortable. That doesn’t mean in the future a recently retired coach like Hinkley couldn’t do it or pay a role.

“Having the current coaches for now gives the clubs assurance. We like to call it constructive criticism.”

There is widespread division when it comes to what Origin will produce this weekend.

Some experts sit in the camp of an exhibition game that means very little while others are thrilled to see it back on the calendar at a time of year that fans are hungry for action.

Dillon is obviously in the latter party.

“Everyone I have spoken to is asking about Origin,” he added. “I don’t have concerns. We have 50 of the best players in the competition. They’re competitive beats and it won’t happen (a kick about exhibition).

“The great thing about this is the way the players have bought in. They have all been keen to represent their state. We will see on Saturday with the incredible crowds.”

Contrary to popular belief, Dillon insists it is the players that drove Origin making its comeback.

“It was ultimately the players that drove this and the recruitment.

“I saw Cripps at Brownlow and he said: ‘I’m recruiting now’. He’s been a real proponent of it. He will say this is one of the highlights of his career.”