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Australian Rules-Victoria Beat Western Australia in AFL 'State of ...

Players and commentators praise AFL Origin as a competitive preseason event, with calls for annual matches despite concerns over injury impact after Victoria's win.

  • On Saturday, the Australian Football League staged its first State of Origin since 1999 at Perth Stadium, where Victoria defeated Western Australia 18.17 to 15.11 in front of 58,141 fans at Optus Stadium.
  • To test a revival, the AFL staged the match as league headquarters, players and fans bought into the concept, while the Indigenous All-Stars exhibition drew 38,000 fans showing appetite for representative games.
  • Defender Lachie Ash claimed the E.J. Whitten Medal with 25 touches and 498m gains, while Nick Daicos collected 38 disposals and a goal and Jesse Hogan booted five goals to win the Graham Moss Medal.
  • Both skippers Patrick Cripps and Marcus Bontempelli called for Origin to return next year, while Jonathan Brown and Garry Lyon backed making it an annual season launch, and players and former greats urged stakeholders to align for regular fixtures.
  • Injuries, including Jacob Weitering being stretchered off and Matt Rowell leaving with a finger injury, highlighted player-risk concerns as critics warned non-premiership matches carry increased injury risk.
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Zero Hanger broke the news in on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
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